Babson College has received a $10,000 grant from the Avon Foundation for Women. The grant was given to the school through The Avon Foundation’s Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative. The award will go toward the funding for the development of a bystander intervention program. This new program will be developed through Babson’s new Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services.
The Avon Foundation for Women has given 25 grants, totaling $25,000 to colleges nationwide. The awards will all go toward the funding of educational programs on preventing dating abuse, violence, sexual assault and the promotion of healthy relationships. The grant also provides local resources and referrals for community based experts. In addition to the educational programs, the grants will also support educator training, materials and support sessions.
The Avon Foundation for Women is the world’s largest corporate-affiliated humanitarian organization. The Foundation was established in 1955, and has promoted or aided charitable, scientific, educational, and humanitarian activities, with a special emphasis on activities that improve the lives of women and their families and has given nearly $1 billion in over 50 countries.
In a press-release to the Babson community, Associate Dean of Students for Wellness Ryan M. Travia stated that he was proud to receive the grant and that the foundation has chosen to support the school’s program. “With the creation of Babson’s first Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, this grant will serve to jumpstart our efforts around bystander intervention training for Babson students. We are particularly excited to partner with the Department of Athletics, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Residence Education on developing a novel training program for our student-athletes, fraternities and sororities, and resident assistants, with plans to expand this program throughout the undergraduate and graduate school at Babson,” he said.