Domestic Violence

RPI Sole Survivors  |  Apr 2022 - May 2024

• Sole Survivors is a student-run organization focused on raising awareness about sexual and domestic violence, using interactive art to demonstrate community support for victims of sexual assault and promote awareness.  One of their key events, I Will Walk With You, involves creating teal chalk footprints all across campus, symbolizing the community's commitment to supporting survivors.  I had helped lead several of their semesterly I Will Walk With You events, and had planned the 2024 RPI Sexual Assault Awareness Fair (although this event was later cancelled by the school's administration).
   

Sex Work Legislative Analysis  |  Jun 2024 - Present

• In early 2024, policy makers proposed two separate pieces of legislation to protect sex workers in New York State.  Given the multitude of issues that sex workers face (human trafficking, decreased life expectancy, etc.) I began writing an academic paper concerning these issues and the importance of new legislation.  This paper, A comprehensive analysis of the current issues and legislation surrounding sex work, with a potential compromise to existing opposing models, takes an in-depth look at different regional laws with a comparison of the Nordic Model vs. Decriminalization.  Once I finish the paper I am hoping to use it to advocate for legalization and regulation to support and protect sex workers.
   

Unity House Domestic Violence Services  |  Aug 2024 - Sep 2024

• I joined the Unity House of Troy Domestic Violence Services team in August of 2024 as the Assistant Program Director for DV Prevention.  In this role, I directly oversaw the PEACE program to prevent gang and gun violence among youth in local K-12 schools.  While the grant funding my position was unfortunately cut not long into my role, I still had the opportunity to participate in a number of state level trainings and programs, including completing the NYS CANS Training, receiving SOAR certification, and operating the NYS Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline.
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NYSCADV Program Director's Summit  |  September 2024

• As a program director for Unity House, I had the honor of attending the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV) Program Directors' Summit.  This summit brought together domestic violence program leaders from across New York State to address challenges and share strategies on staff retention, funding, and sustainability of domestic violence programs.
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NYSCASA Animal Welfare Event  |  October 2024

• I collaborated with the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA), Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MHHS), and the Albany Chapter of Therapy Dogs International to host an animal welfare event during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  This program took place on the University at Albany's campus, with participants receiving domestic violence information from NYSCASA, animal welfare and adoption resources from MHHS, and plenty of love from the on-site therapy dogs.
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Capital Region Campus Response Network  |  Nov 2024 - Present

• I currently serve as the Co-Chair for the Capital Region Campus Response Network.  This coalition is comprised of a number of community organizations, sexual violence educators, and Title IX Coordinators to collaborate on domestic and sexual violence prevention programs at local schools.  I am currently working with the council and St. Peter's Crime Victim Services (SPCVS) to form a collaborative, community-based support group for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.