The Central Alberta Sex Assault Support Centre is raising money to provide a mobile outreach service that can travel to rural communities.
“We know that some people cannot make it in to Red Deer, but we serve the whole Central Alberta zone,” said Lara Alhmidat, an educator with CASASC.
The Mobile Support Centre would ideally be a recreational vehicle that can stop in outlying communities for a few days, allowing victims of sexual assault a chance to connect with outreach workers, a therapist and other services, she added.
Since not everybody has the ability to drive into the city, she added having a Mobile Support Centre would provide a greater opportunitiy to connect with these people, as well as building more awareness.
The CASASC also offers virtual sessions out of Red Deer, but not everybody can access these, and some people respond better to in-person services, added Alhmidat.
The centre offers healing for sexual trauma through a range of support services, including counselling, play therapy, police and court support, crisis support and education.
On Aug. 27, a Ride for Respect fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in partnership with the non-proft bikers’ group Urban Bulldogs Against Kid Abuse to start raising money for the mobile service.
Alhmidat said a cross-Central Alberta poker rally is being planned. It will start at Bower Ponds, and continuing with rounds of poker played in Sylvan Lake and other communities.
There will be live music, a barbeque, beer garden, vendors, street art, a bouncy castle, virtual silent auction and more. The Centre is looking for more non-food vendors, volunteers, and sponsorships, including donations of auction items.
For more information, or to help out, please call 403-340-1124 or email casasc@casasc.ca or visit www.casasc.ca