Text version of AVI’s letter to the community.
Dear Friends and Family of TCNJ,
We are writing to you today to ask for your support of the Anti-Violence Initiatives (AVI) team at The College of New Jersey.
As many of you know, AVI provides critical support to students who have experienced power-based violence, such as dating/domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This support includes counseling, community education, and material resources in emergency situations.
The Need is Urgent:
Sadly, 1 in 5 college students will experience some form of interpersonal violence in a given year. This is a staggering statistic, but what sets TCNJ apart is the presence of AVI.
AVI’s Impact:
Through the efforts of our dedicated professionals, peer educators, and interns, AVI has accomplished the following on TCNJ’s campus in the past 5 years:
Provided counseling and support services to 250 survivors, ensuring they have a safe space to heal
Provided emergency housing and resources to survivors of power-based violence who did not have a safe home to return to
Trained 100 peer educators, each of whom reaches an estimated 500 TCNJ students per year about preventing violence in their communities
Secured over $1.1 million in grants for TCNJ to support survivors and violence prevention efforts on our campus
Our Goal:
We aim to raise $10,000 in the next two years to lay the foundation for an endowment, creating long-term sustainability.
Government grants, which have been instrumental in providing emergency housing and resources as well as specialized and longer-term services for survivors, are decreasing. These cuts, coupled with shrinking university budgets, threaten these essential services.
Building a Sustainable Future:
To ensure future support for student survivors, AVI is creating an emergency fund. Here’s how your donation can help directly:
- $50-100: Replacement of property in the event a student has to quickly leave an abusive environment or their belongings are collected for evidence in a criminal investigation
- $175: Provides a hotel for family to be close to their student following a victimization experience
- $200: Supports the leadership training of a TCNJ peer educator
- $350: Provides STI testing and prophylactic medication to a TCNJ student following a victimization experience
- $350-5000: Provides emergency housing for a TCNJ student for one week, month, or semester
Donate Now:
Make a difference in the lives of TCNJ students. Donate securely at TCNJ’s Give Now page and select “Anti-Violence Initiatives” or “AVI” under the designation heading.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Michelle Lambing, LPC, NCC, ACS, CIMHP
Zachary Gall, LPC, NCC, CIMHP
AVI Interns and Peer Educators