April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

After following the news for the past couple of months I am grateful that SAAM provides an opportunity to write about an issue that has been dark in my mind. From Steubenville, Ohio to New Delhi, India to Syrian refugee camps to the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- there isn’t a day goes by that one can’t find headlines about sexual assault victims.

Unfortunately for many people rape isn't just in the headlines. The national conversation about Steubenville makes it all too clear that this town is all our towns, this high school is all our high schools.  It makes me angry, and I know I am not alone in my anger.  But once that anger has been acknowledged, I think the next step is to strengthen our bravery and compassion. This isn’t happening to faceless victims, and the perpetrators aren’t anonymous bogeymen. These are people we know. They are people we care about.

I read articles that make me hopeful, too. Like this one, from the Public Library of Science, about how reading fiction can make you more empathetic. If we are going to have a dialogue about sexual assault in this country -- about what kind of society we want to be -- maybe that’s someplace we can begin.



Books:
Some of these books because are about sexual assault and the aftermath of assault. Others address slut-shaming, which has no small part in how we think about rape and rape victims.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson


What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton


Leverage by Joshua Cohen


You Against Me by Jenny Downham


Sold by Patricia McCormick


Raiders Night by Robert Lipsyte


Inexcusable by Chris Lynch


Exposed by Kimberly Marcus


Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers


Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian


The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney


Online resources:

National Sexual Violence Resource Center
www.nsvrc.org

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
www.rainn.org

Prevent Connect
www.preventconnect.org

Date Safe Project
www.datesafeproject.org

Reach Out
ReachOut.com

Safe Horizon
www.safehorizon.org

One Love (resources)
www.joinonelove.org/resources-help

Why Abuse Prevention Demands “Cultural Change.” At To Write Love on Her Arms



***AND THIS: Macmillan, publisher of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, is partnering with RAINN to raise money for sexual assault survivors. Macmillan and RAINN are also sponsoring a contest called "How Speak Spoke to Me"***

Bike safety and community service

Useful stuff from the City of Cambridge!

There are two upcoming bicycle safety classes for high school students.

You gotta bring your own bike but they will give you lunch.

10:30 AM - 3:00 PM Saturday, April 6, 2013
 *OR*

10:30 AM - 3:00 PM Saturday, June 1, 2013

Location:
Tobin Montessori School
197 Vassal Lane
Cambridge
To register, contact Jennifer Lawrence

No, no, no -- not that Jennifer Lawrence.  Here's the info:
jlawrence@cambridgema.gov
617-349-4671

I hope they teach you how to do this:

For those of you who have already mastered bicycle safety and stopped riding on the dang sidewalks, it's time to give back to the city you love.  That's right, y'all -- it's the Police Department's April vacation community service week!

The program begins on Tuesday, April 16 and runs daily from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. through Thursday, April 18. Community Service Week, offered for the second year in a row by the Cambridge Police Department, aims to give students the opportunity to make a difference in their community by donating their April Vacation to better their city.

This program also gives teens a chance to learn valuable skills, meet new people, experience the importance and value of helping others, enhance their resume or college application, and fulfill graduation and/or court-ordered service requirements.

For more information about Community Service Week, or to sign up, please contact the Cambridge Police Department Personnel Office at 617-349-3374 or email Personnel@CambridgePolice.org.

MLK Day of Service volunteer opportunities

Monday, January 21 from 2-5pm in Central Square. The Kick Off will take place on the City Hall steps.

Come volunteer for an afternoon of hands-on service on behalf of Cambridge residents in need as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. You can form your own team or just come on your own. High School students can earn community service hours, too. We will be making fleece blankets and scarves for the homeless, bookmarks for literacy projects, valentine cards for homebound seniors and veterans, sorting donated clothes, food and books and more.

Don't come empty handed: Bring a can of food, gently used winter clothing or a children's book. All are welcome! (Children accompanied by adults please.)

Sign up as an individual or group and learn more about the event at Many Helping Hands 365.

Sandy Hook Elementary School

Along with my fellow librarians, I have been following the news about the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  We all mourn the loss of such young children and their brave teachers.

At times like these it is natural to feel helpless and confused about what to do next.  The New York Times has created a page for students 13 and older to post their thoughts about the shooting, as well as a list of resources for teachers, students, parents and other concerned community members who may be struggling with how to talk about such a disturbing event.

The NYT's City Room has also posted information on how you can offer your help and condolences to the people of Newtown, Connecticut.  Edudemic also has listed ways you can show your support.

As January and Martin Luther King Jr. Day fast approach, we will be posting information about volunteering here in Cambridge.  We welcome information on any other resources.  Committing to a day of service -- with friends, with family -- is one way to we can all bring comfort to one other.  Let us hold thoughts of peace and love in our hearts as a memorial to those lost lives.

21 Days of Questions Domestic Violence Campaign

Tonight is the launch of 21 Days of Questions 365 Days of Action, Cambridge's campaign against domestic violence.

October 17th 

4:00pm - 7:00pm 

Cambridge College 

1000 Massachusetts Avenue 

Cambridge MA 02138

The evening will be filled with various art, music, and activities for all ages. 

Food will be served throughout the event.

Please contact Sara Doherty at sdoherty@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4276 if you have any questions.  If you'd like to become an ambassador, email getinvolved@21dayscambridge.org

Volunteer During Community Service Week

Do you need to fulfill community service requirements for graduation or a college application?  Do you want to help out in your community and meet new people?  Do you just want to get out of the house for a while because your vacation is soooooooooooooooo booooooooooooooring?

Look no further!  The Cambridge Police Department is inviting YOU to work alongside Cambridge police officers performing community service during the week of April vacation (Tuesday, April 17 through Friday, April 20, 10:00AM to 3:00PM).

For more information or to sign up, contact Holly Bernier at 617-349-6009 or hbernier@cambridgepolice.org.

Job opportunity with Cambridge Youth Centers

This sounds like a great opportunity to gain leadership experience, be involved in a community project, and earn some money -- check it out!

Participants Sought for Neighborhood Service Projects
The Office of Workforce Development is recruiting for its Neighborhood Service Projects program which runs for 12 weeks at three different youth centers in Cambridge (Gately, Moore and Area IV). Recruitment ends February and the program begins February 24. Participants ages 14-15, work 6-8 hours per week, and are paid a stipend of up to $600.

• Participants will develop real connections with the community and its members.
• Projects will involve some type of public exhibition or action in order to make a substantive impact.
• Projects will create a diverse set of leadership opportunities for participants.

Some examples of potential projects include:

• Presenting Oral Histories of Veterans of United States Wars.
• A Fashion Show with clothing made of recycled materials, plus an awareness campaign.
• Teen Summit with roundtable discussions about violence and how it touches lives in the community
  

If you know of any Cambridge teen ages 14-15 who might be interested in the program, they can pick up an application at the Office of Workforce Development, 51 Inman St., 1st floor. For more information, contact Ken Bowers at 617-349-6272 or kbowers@cambridgema.gov.