Laura's Light, a non-profit organization that supports survivors of sexual violence, will host its annual "Light Up OU" luminary fundraiser on Saturday, October 7th from 7:00 pm to midnight at Scripps Amphitheater on the campus of Ohio University.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the OU Survivor Advocacy Program's Emergency Fund, which provides financial assistance to student survivors of sexual violence. The fund can be used to cover a variety of expenses, such as medical bills, rent, new mobile phone costs, and safety measures.
"We are excited to host our inaugural ‘'Light Up OU' fundraiser this year," said Claire Miskel Fetters, Chairman of Laura's Light and Class of 1985. "This event is a great way to raise awareness about sexual violence on college campuses and to support the OU Survivor Advocacy Program in its important work."
The OU Survivor Advocacy Program provides a variety of services to student survivors of violent crime, including crisis support, counseling, and legal advocacy. The program also works to educate the OU community about sexual assault and other forms of violence against women.
"We are grateful to Laura's Light for hosting the 'Light Up OU' luminary fundraiser," said Kimberly Rouse, Director of the OU Survivor Advocacy Program. "The proceeds from this event will help us to continue providing essential services to student survivors of violent crime."
Everyone is invited to purchase luminaries to support the event. Each luminary represents a survivor of sexual assault. Luminaries can be purchased for $20 online at Laura's Light OU Fundraiser
through October 5th. Luminaries will be lit at 7:00 pm on October 7th and will remain lit until midnight.
"We hope that the community will join us for 'Light Up OU' to show their support for survivors of sexual violence," said Fetters. "Together, we can make a difference."
About Laura’s Light:
The mission of Laura’s Light is to initiate and support programs and organizations that protect and support victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Founded in memory of Laura Ditka (Class of 1985), a prominent prosecutor in Pittsburgh, who was one person, one woman, who made a profound difference in the lives of people who needed an ally to stand with them and for them. Throughout her 30-year legal career, Ms. Ditka went to trial on a staggering 160 child abuse cases.
Nearly every aspect of Laura Ditka’s life revolved around serving others, whether as a public prosecutor advocating for better protocols and training in child abuse cases or as a mentor to law students. But more importantly, Laura made sure everyone around her felt cared for and nurtured. Laura’s Light carries that focus of nurturing through allied partnerships with organizations supporting survivors, supporting scholarships and grants, sponsoring the “Force of Nurture Award” and educational speakers programs, and initiating the Laura’s Light Cares Kits for survivors of sexual assault.
To learn more about Laura’s Light, get involved, and donate, visit lauraslight.org.
Contact: Claire Fetters (Chi Omega, Ohio University ‘85), admin@lauraslight.org
About The Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Program:
The Survivor Advocacy Program is a confidential resource for Ohio University student survivors and co-survivors of dating/domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. The program staff are all licensed as social workers and have extensive training and experience with survivors of interpersonal violence.
Since joining the Division of Student Affairs in 2016, the Survivor Advocacy Program has provided crucial support to over 500 student survivors and co-survivors in over 6,000 documented interactions.
