York College receives nearly $30,000 from It’s On Us PA grant

York College is one of 34 institutions of higher education to receive up to $30,000 in It’s On Us PA Grants, as announced by Gov. Tom Wolf. Launched in 2016, It’s On Us PA is a statewide campaign that invited education leaders and all Pennsylvanians to be part of the solution to protect students from sexual violence.

York College’s award of $27, 362 will fund initiatives to support campus efforts to raise awareness and enable a prevention response to acts of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking (SADVDVS), according to Kayla Bailey, Prevention Coordinator, Title IX Office.

“The award from the Governor's office will allow us to make purchases of Welcome-Back Kits, a bag that includes self-care items for mental and physical health and information about campus resources that are in place to support survivors of SADVDVS,” said Bailey.

“We will also use the grant money to purchase the tools we use during programs and Confidential Advocate Hours. We bring advocates to campus to meet with students who wish to discuss concerns about sexual, domestic, or interpersonal violence. Students do not have to be victims of violence to seek services from the advocates. Having basic amenities like food, water, and tissues for advocates to use during student meetings will help to facilitate these difficult conversations." 

In addition, supplies to support a campus tulip garden will be purchased. “This initiative was premiered in October 2021, as a physical representation of our campuses' acknowledgement and recognition of victims and survivors of domestic violence,” Bailey said. “The funds from this award will ensure that we are able to continue this tradition.”

Additional funds made available under the grant will promote training and advocacy for York College staff and community partners, as well as prevention programming for York Country Day School and the York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP), a partnership with William Penn Senior High School.

“Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities must be a safe space for students to learn and grow without fear of violence, harassment, or abuse,” said Gov. Wolf. “Each one of us has a responsibility to promote healthy relationships, and the It’s On Us PA grant program was created to provide pathways to training and resources that improve campus culture and engagement.”