Showing Up in Community During SA Awareness Month

Raising Awareness in Pierce and Kitsap Counties

April was one for the books! Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) gave us so many meaningful opportunities to show up, speak out, and connect with our community across Pierce and Kitsap counties. From fundraisers and outreach events, to presentations and panel discussions, each moment reminded us just how powerful community connection can be.

Community Fundraisers

In Gig Harbor, Kimball Coffeehouse hosted weekly HOPE’n Mic Nights and offered speciality spring drinks, which raised over $1,100 to support our services for victim-survivors! Huge thanks to the entire Kimball Coffeehouse team, the incredible performers that showed up each week, and everyone who came out in support throughout the month. 

In Kitsap County, we connected with the community during a Pint Night co-hosted by Silver City Brewery and The Hungry Hungarian in Bremerton. The support from both businesses—and everyone who came out—was incredible. Events like this help us take meaningful steps toward building lasting relationships and raising awareness in Kitsap, a region where we’re still expanding our presence.

Survivor Film Screening and Panel

We also had an opportunity to join some powerful conversations during a special screening and panel event. Hosted by Pacific Lutheran University’s Phi Alpha Social Work Club and the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, our Education Department Manager, Ella, participated in a post-screening panel discussion of Survivor Made—a compelling documentary by Drew Denny that follows the healing journeys of six survivors of gender-based violence. It was an honor to join fellow advocates in dialogue about healing and resilience.

Raising Awareness

Our Executive Director, Carlyn Sampson, had opportunities to meet with several service organizations to raise awareness about our work and mission. Special thanks to Quota of Tacoma, who generously donated $3,000 to support our programs and services! 

We also got to participate in the Health & Hope Fair and Culture Con hosted by UW Tacoma nursing students and the North Pierce County Community Coalition. Our team connected with families, answered questions, and shared how we work to support victim-survivors throughout the region. 

Proclamations Across Pierce and Kitsap

At the top of this article is a photo of six of our team members proudly holding proclamations we received from jurisdictions across the community we serve. Pierce and Kitsap counties, along with the cities of Tacoma, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, and Bainbridge Island, all officially established April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Throughout the month, we were presented with these proclamations as local leaders recognized the prevalence of sexual assault and the urgent need to support victim-survivors and work toward prevention. Thank you to our local elected officials for standing with us. Let’s keep the conversation going, not just this month, but year round! 

50th Anniversary Spring Soiree

Our most anticipated event for SAAM was our 50th Anniversary Spring Soiree. Thank you to everyone who joined us at this milestone celebration—together, we raised an incredible $187,500, far surpassing our goal of $150,000! This was the most successful event in our agency’s history, and we’re so grateful to have celebrated 50 years of supporting victim-survivors with our community. This event helped us close out Sexual Assault Awareness Month by continuing the conversation to destigmatize this historically taboo topic and build resilience to fight for future change. Thank you, again, to everyone who took part in this unforgettable evening—here’s to 50 more years of hope!

To everyone who donated, hosted, invited, or stopped by to chat throughout SAAM—thank you. We’re beyond grateful to stand alongside so many individuals, organizations, and businesses that are committed to building safer, more supportive communities. April may be over, but the work continues.