Building healthy futures for our youth is one of the most important directives of families, communities and countries. Sexual and domestic violence, child abuse, stalking and dating violence are all elements that impact youth the most and create immense problems with successful development, building resiliency, transforming to active and healthy adults, and managing successful relationships. Yet, prevention programs are the least funded. Programs designed to help our youth learn not to hurt each other, not to abuse but instead learn to accept each other, engage in relationships with respect and compassion are lacking as a consistent part of education because there is little funding dedicated to funding prevention programs and initiatives. Virginia’s Sexual and Domestic and Violence Advocacy Agencies are engaged in a wide variety of prevention efforts across the state – and they are struggling to fund those initiatives.
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Every dollar invested in prevention not only changes the lives of individuals, but also saves literally hundreds of dollars in the costs associated with future violence. However, public funding is very limited and less than 1/3 of Virginia’s Sexual and Domestic Violence Advocacy Agencies receive any of these limited funds. The Building Healthy Futures Fund will offer an opportunity for communities to work together to raise private dollars – to benefit everyone.
Here at the Action Alliance, we are trying to fill that void of funding and have created the Building Healthy Futures Fund and created the Peace Begins at Home license plate to help fund the initiative. The Building Healthy Futures Fund will offer an opportunity for communities to work together to raise private dollars – to benefit everyone.
The Peace Begins at Home special license plates are now available at the DMV website.
Carol Olson is the Development Director at the Action Alliance. She was previously the Director of a local rape crisis center. She has continued to engage in community activism through her work with the Alliance and through radio at WRIR 97.3 FM.
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Joining the Action Alliance adds your voice to making change in Virginia. Start your membership today or call 804.377.0335.
To inquire about submissions for blog, please check the submissions page for requirements or email colson@vsdvalliance.org