Temple University’s Department of Public Safety held a lunch-and-learn with Temple football and Students Against Sexual Assault to make lunches for a nearby shelter.
Standing together to raise awareness and show support to survivors, Temple University’s Department of Public Safety joined forces with students to take action for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Photo by Matt Petrillo
Temple football, Temple University’s Department of Public Safety and the group Student Activists Against Sexual Assault (SAAS) teamed up to pack more than 200 lunches on Wednesday, April 1, for a nearby women’s shelter to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
“I think coming together to do this incredible event is really making a difference in our community,” said Jacqueline Hill, a sophomore marketing major with SAAS. “It’s showing that no one is alone and at the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I think it’s so incredible Temple Police put this together and got everyone together to help our North Philadelphia community.”
Everyone worked together to make the lunches in a fast-moving assembly line.
"It’s wonderful, because you can really see the impact that Temple has on the community,” said Rameir Hardy, a Temple football wide receiver and first-year economics major.
The lunches were packed with sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit, snacks, bottled water and cookies, which were donated by The Fresh Grocer.
“It’s a simple meal, but it goes a long way. It shows the community we care about them,” Hardy said.
Jennnifer Griffin, Temple’s chief of police and vice president for public safety, added the event turned awareness into action.
“We’re providing a meal today, but we’re providing a promise of support to our neighbors every day,” Griffin said. “For those who are receiving the lunches, it’s our hope that they see how much we care about them and that we are here to lift them up.”
Many of the student-athletes have taken Temple Police Officer Leroy Wimberly’s self-defense class, called Rape Aggression Defense, or RAD.
“It’s important that we empower our community and that we all learn how to protect ourselves, especially women,” Wimberly said. “I often tell my students that together, we must say ‘no!’ to sexual violence.”
Wimberly has been teaching RAD to students for a decade.
“Hopefully, my students will never have to use the skills they learn in my class. But they walk away feeling empowered and knowing how to protect themselves. These are skills they will remember for a lifetime,” he said.
Hill said events like this change lives.
“Having a survivor feel seen and continue on and turn around to help others the way they were helped,” she said.
"Giving back to the community is important,” Hardy said. “I’m from Philadelphia and I’ve seen people thrive when they’re given a chance and they’re given opportunities to succeed,” he said.
Temple Police Captain Enoch McCoy reminded students that for survivors of sexual assault, there are several services organizations located right in the city, including shelters like Dawn’s Place and Covenant House. Additionally, the WOAR Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence, formerly known as Women Organized Against Rape, has a 24/7 hotline for survivors: 215-985-3333.
“It’s important that students know there are resources out there that want to help,” McCoy said. “Together, we can make a difference if we all take a stand against sexual assault.”
Temple Police delivered the lunches to the shelter, continuing the university’s commitment to improving the North Philadelphia community.
