Engaging a Constantly Changing Culture
The staff and supporters of the WCA work tirelessly to provide support and services to those impacted by domestic abuse and sexual assault every day. This is the primary focus of the WCA, to help these women, men, children and families break the cycle of abuse.
However, the vision of the WCA is to “foster a community where individuals thrive in safe healthy relationships.” To make this happen, one thing we have been focusing on is to engage different groups in the community, with a focus on student groups, schools and youth in general.
Millennials do more than lean toward the changes they desire to see in their world, they embrace and drive change. We see this all the time in our community in many different ways. An example recently, was on Boise State University campus. In April, two student-led groups organized campaigns on campus to raise awareness of and change the norms surrounding relationship abuse and sexual assault on campus.
Both the Alpha Chi Omega (AXO) sorority and the Alpha Kappa Lambda (AKL) fraternity educated their peers on the prevalence of these issues in their community and urged fellow students to stand up in solidarity with survivors of abuse and sexual assault. The AKL’s focused a week of tabling, as well as a fundraising event, on the importance of healthy relationships and what healthy dating looks like. The women of AXO used their event to lift up men on campus who they believe exemplify morality, strong character, and personal development. We would like to extend a big thank you to both of these groups for not only supporting the WCA, but also working to change the culture on their campus– especially because we know that changing the culture is a major stepping stone toward achieving the vision we work toward every day.
Through efforts like those of these college students, as well as junior high and high school students throughout the state (check out this awesome upcoming event), we can’t help but be hopeful for a brighter future for our community! A future where every individual, no matter the home they grew up in or the experiences they’ve had, is able to thrive in safe, healthy relationships.
