Written by Lily Struble
On Saturday, September 30, the Victims Intervention Program in cooperation with Mrs. Rosencrance’s Leadership in Schools and Community class held a Glow Run at the Wallenpaupack Area High School Football Stadium. The gates opened at 4 pm for a Wellness Fair and the 5k walk/run kicked off at 7 PM. It was open to all members of the WASD community, and it was hosted to raise awareness about domestic violence and to highlight resources available in our community. The event was free, and no registration was needed.
The Victims Intervention Program strives to educate the community about violence, empower victims to make the best choices for their individual situations, and invite the community to envision a world free of violence. VIP believes in the right that all people have to live in a nonviolent environment. They promote an atmosphere in which all people, particularly women, can strive for equality and respect for themselves and their families.
The program started as a crisis center but soon expanded to individual and group counseling for various serious crimes, including but not limited to surviving members of a homicide, sex and/or labor trafficking, DUI accidents, and homicides, bullying, child abuse, elder abuse, stalking, harassment, and identity theft. They also provide prevention education, emergency shelter, legal assistance. All services provided by VIP are trauma-informed, empowerment based, and client centered.
The Victims Intervention Program serves Pike and Wayne counties. Services are confidential and are at no cost to the recipient.
Their 24 Hour help line is 570-253-4401. For more information, visit vipempowers.org.
