We are pleased to announce that we have recently received our second round of funding for 2019 in the amount of $15,000 from The Salah Foundation. Project HELP was selected in 2018 to receive a generous grant from The Salah Foundation totaling $45,000 over three subsequent years, providing funds for our in-house sexual assault forensic collection room. The Salah Foundation began donating after its’ then-Executive Director Noreen Burpee heard our Executive Director Eileen Wesley speaking at the Human Needs Awards Ceremony last year. Burpee was touched by the work that Project HELP was doing and wanted to join in fulfilling the mission. Project HELP was invited to apply for a grant in the amount of $15,000. The Salah Foundation Board was moved by Project HELP’s mission, and increased the initial grant out to three years.

In July 2010, Project HELP was fortunate to develop our first in-house sexual assault forensic collection room, which provides services to survivors in a completely private and secure location. These services include a forensic examination for evidence collection. This is coupled with immediate crisis intervention to begin the healing process for the survivor, family or friends who are present. Project HELP also provides replacement clothing for 98% of survivors who must relinquish personal items as part of the evidence collection process.

“The warm and private environment affords survivors their dignity during a grueling process of obtaining vital information and evidence pertaining to their assault,” states Wesley. “We are grateful for the funding from The Salah Foundation, which will allow us to increase our capacity to serve and to fund replacement items used during an exam, literature for the survivor and families, and the availability of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.”

Noreen Salah Burpee’s late Uncle, James Salah – the founder of the Salah Foundation – was known to say that “if you think small, small things will happen and if you think big, big things will happen.” At Project HELP, we are thinking big. We hope to make it possible for every person to receive free counseling and advocacy services after they have been affected by sexual violence, sudden death, and other crimes.

If you would like to join the mission, click here to learn about Volunteering Opportunities or click here to Donate.

We thank you in advance for your support!