Vision - How "We're Here For You" Came To Be
This project came to be in December 2021 in order to support those who have been affected by sexual assault in our province. Initially it was designed to provide comfort kits and fresh new clothing to people who were leaving the Emergency Room at the hospital. It was soon discovered that this was needed in many areas and we hope, through the support of the public, to ensure that every hospital in the province of New Brunswick, can provide the supports needed to assist people as they leave the ER.
The founder of this project, Sarah Sherman, felt compelled to help other women, children and young men - who find themselves seeking help after a sexual assault. From personal experience, Sarah knows the trauma of having to get help from the RCMP, going to the ER and the devastating experience of having to undergo a rape kit from a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) which can take several hours. The nurses are amazing, but nothing makes it feel any better. At the end of the exam, Sarah recalled what it was like to put on clothing that did not fit right, was inappropriate for herself and to walk out of the room with nothing. She wanted to do something that would make this recovery a little bit less intimidating for the next person.
Together we can build and create comfort kits, packages of new basic clothing, gift cards for meals or fuel to get to safety and to start the long, difficult recovery process. Each person has different needs, but we are working to cover the basics for them.
Any support is appreciated and will go to the local hospitals in New Brunswick. We will begin with the Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) near Woodstock, NB and the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital (DECH) in Fredericton and and the Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH). Our plan is to expand throughout the province, then the Maritimes - when we have accessed sufficient funding to create and maintain the project in hospitals.
The founder of this project, Sarah Sherman, felt compelled to help other women, children and young men - who find themselves seeking help after a sexual assault. From personal experience, Sarah knows the trauma of having to get help from the RCMP, going to the ER and the devastating experience of having to undergo a rape kit from a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) which can take several hours. The nurses are amazing, but nothing makes it feel any better. At the end of the exam, Sarah recalled what it was like to put on clothing that did not fit right, was inappropriate for herself and to walk out of the room with nothing. She wanted to do something that would make this recovery a little bit less intimidating for the next person.
Together we can build and create comfort kits, packages of new basic clothing, gift cards for meals or fuel to get to safety and to start the long, difficult recovery process. Each person has different needs, but we are working to cover the basics for them.
Any support is appreciated and will go to the local hospitals in New Brunswick. We will begin with the Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) near Woodstock, NB and the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital (DECH) in Fredericton and and the Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH). Our plan is to expand throughout the province, then the Maritimes - when we have accessed sufficient funding to create and maintain the project in hospitals.
