April Non-Profit: Pathways for Change

/ Redemption Rock Brewing Co./

By Dani Babineau

New high score!

Our customers keep crushing it -- in March, they helped us raise $3,745 for the Regional Environmental Council, our highest amount yet in our Tipping for Charity program.

Can we top that in April? We sure hope so; April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and we’ll be supporting Pathways for Change.

Pathways for Change is a Worcester-based non-profit that provides services to victims of sexual assault and raises awareness around sexual assault prevention and education.

We spoke with Pathways for Change executive director, Kim Dawkins, about the non-profit and the amazing, important work they do. Read on to learn more about this incredible organization and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

What’s the mission of Pathways for Change and what does the organization do?

Our mission is to provide multi-cultural, free and confidential services, to those whose lives have been impacted by Sexual Violence and to provide education geared toward ending violence, serving 47 towns and cities across Central Massachusetts.

Why is Pathways for Change's mission important to the Worcester area?

Sexual Violence does not discriminate and can happen to anyone at any time (consider the #MeToo movement sweeping the nation right now). It is the silent epidemic that impacts all of us and occurs in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and communities. It is imbedded within our societal attitudes, perpetuating a rape culture where victims are blamed, not believed, and re-traumatized -- which is often why many survivors never disclose their assault. Whether we know it or not, most of us in the Worcester area have a family member, friend, colleague, or acquaintance who is a survivor of sexual violence.

What has Pathways for Change accomplished that you’re most proud of?

For 46 years, Pathways has been supporting survivors (and their friends, families, significant others) 24/7/365 with highly trained sexual assault counselors, along with some unique programs like our Hotline Collaboration, Deaf Survivors Program (DSP), Sexual Assault Youth Education (SAYE) program, Males Advocating Change (MAC) program, and College Campus Advocacy (CCA) program.

In addition, Pathways offers its services in English, Spanish, Portuguese, American Sign Language, and Vietnamese, enabling us to serve many different communities impacted by sexual assault across Central Mass.

How might donations from Redemption Rock customers help Pathways for Change in the future?

Any donation helps us continue to provide free and confidential support services to survivors and also helps us provide prevention education to youth and young adults. As a community-based agency, our efforts are largely dependent on the support of community members like Redemption Rock Brewing Co. patrons!

Does Pathways for Change have any upcoming events that people should know about?

Yes! April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and we want all your customers to know that our theme this year is Start By Believing (take our Start By Believing pledge!).

We also have three fundraising events in April that we would love to see Redemption Rock patrons attend! Pathways to VDAY2019 is producing our third-annual production of world-renowned play, The Vagina Monologues, from playwright and activist, Eve Ensler. Performances are on Friday, April 5 at the Worcester PopUp and on Friday, April 12and 19 at the Worcester State University (For tickets and info, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ma--worcester/pathways-to-vday/).

Also, follow us on our social media platforms at @Pathways4Change!