Speaker and sports activist Kyle Richard talked violence prevention, being an active bystander

SCRANTON, PA — In the summer of 2017, Kyle Richard was shot twice when he intervened to stop a sexual asssault.

The former SUNY Cortland linebacker and team captain spoke at Lackawanna College in Scranton recently.

Since the  shooting, Richard has become a nationally known  advocate for bystander intervention and for the prevention of sexual assault. He has received several awards for his heroism, including the notable Biden Courage Award for Bystander Intervention from It’s On Us and the Biden Foundation, the Orange Bowl Award and the Next Generation Award.

“I’m beyond excited to get the year kicked off at Lackawanna College,” said Richard. “I shared my story to provide a wide range of emotions through vulnerability,” said Richard, “and to motivate athletes, students and faculty to continue doing their part in preventing sexual and domestic violence.”

The event was part of Lackawanna College’s “It’s On Us Lackawanna” project, which was funded by a grant award from the 2020-2021 Governor’s It’s On Us PA grant program.

Rural and Migrant Ministry receives grant

MONTGOMERY, NY — Sullivan County’s Rural and Migrant Ministry received a grant from the Rowley Family Foundation Fund for Women and Children.

A component fund of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, it distributes grants to support innovative projects or programs geared towards the empowerment of women and children.

“The devastating impacts of the pandemic on women and children have been difficult to quantify,” said Rich Rowley. “But upon reading the quality and quantity of applications we received for grants, it’s clear that support is needed now and by many.”

The selection committee, led by Marianne Murray, reviewed 59 applications totaling nearly $2M in requests.

“The grantees selected are varied, but all represent marginalized groups of women and children from migrant farm families to people of color and those who have been incarcerated, as well as those who face obstacles ranging from emotional or physical disabilities to financial insecurity,” Murray said. “The programs we are funding aim to bridge gaps and give a hand up through valuable services which again are diverse; but whether food, literacy, legal services, or the arts deliver hope to those struggling each and every day.”

Members of the Youth Economic Group, which is part of Sullivan County’s Rural and Migrant Ministry, created a rural, youth-led cooperative business, Bags for Justice. The young people create designs based on themes of social injustice for artisanal shoulder bags and T-shirts.

“We’re truly grateful to the fund for partnering with Rural  and Migrant Ministry to support the development of isolated and often underestimated young people in Sullivan County,” said Rev. Richard Witt, Rural and Migrant Ministry executive director.

For more information about the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan and its component funds, visit https://cfosny.org/.