Media Release for Homecoming

The Homecoming group, who will be promoting healthy relationships and awareness for domestic violence during Clemson's Homecoming activities, is starting to get the word out. We worked together to write a media release, and several groups on campus and in the community are pledging to help us spread the word. You can read the release here, at Safe Harbor's blog. We are so excited to get the whole Clemson family involved in raising awareness.

Also, it's now officially Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October). Let's all help bring attention to this important but often-ignored and misunderstood issue. Check out this website for more information and helpful resources.

Group Projects

Last week, the class broke into groups to accomplish a variety of projects. They are:
1. Campus promotions centered around Clemson Homecoming festivities (Oct. 8)
2. An on-campus education event (likely a guest speaker, co-hosted with other organizations)
3. A fundraising event linked with a restaurant in Easley (bringing more awareness to Pickens County during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month)
4. Assisting with the rebranding and social media/outreach plans for R.E.P. (the new name for Megan's Project, Safe Harbor's education program for high school students)

The entire class will also be working together to promote a fundraising event at Clemson's Chick-fil-Al on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Please visit Chick-fil-A between 5 and 9pm, tell them you're there to support Safe Harbor, and 10% of the proceeds will go to Safe Harbor. If more than 100 people attend, then proceeds increase to 20% of sales. The class will be spreading this message throughout Clemson this week.

A Terrible Top 10 List

SC was just ranked the 7th-worst state for instances of men killing women. This story from the Charleston newspaper links the murders to domestic violence. Sadly, though, many of the readers' comments on the story are insensitive and, well, horrible. This is a lessen on why it's occasionally appropriate to close comments.

Violent Story from USC

Safe Harbor just posted on their blog this tragic story out of the University of South Carolina. As the blog mentions, this murder is a humbling reminder that domestic violence crosses boundaries of class and education level. This victim was clearly smart and well educated, but she didn't get the protection she needed.

Generating Ideas

Last week, the class traveled to visit one of Safe Harbor's shelters. We listened to our client tell us about the organization's needs and wants, and some of the projects they currently have underway. We also toured the shelter and learned about the clients they serve and some of the struggles and challenges victims of domestic violence experience. I think we all walked away with greater understanding of this difficult issue and a strong desire to help.

This week, members of the class will be posting their ideas about projects we may take on, and other members will be commenting on them. Hopefully, by next week, we will have a great pool of project ideas to choose from and can start moving forward on the details. I am excited to see what we can accomplish!