Back in October, student council resurrected the tradition of powder puff football. Paula Atfeild, the student body secretary, led student council to organize a tournament style football game played by upper class females. The event charged players a $20 fee for the tee shirt and the “pay to play.” Paula Atfeild said “I wanted to bring back an old tradition, and get a great cause behind it.” Student Council payed for the cost to make the shirts, so all the money raised would go directly to charity. Paula mentioned how she wanted to choose a organization that helped women.
Student council decided to donate the money raised to the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center. The center has programs and services for victims of domestic violence or child abuse. They offer a 24 hour help line which is usually how victims end up in the center. In addition, the organization has a child center to help children who has been abused or in an abusive family. Services include several types of counseling as well as actives like art therapy. Their women’s center has programs to help women gain independence. The center also follows up with victims to ensure a safe and easy transition. The Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center is the same organization that founded the Ranger 360 program.
A big part of what this organization accomplishes is helping women face their abusers in court. Counselors help these women prepare the necessary paperwork as well as provide the emotional support needed in situations. Another big part of The Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center was able to accomplish is their visiting center. Supervised visiting centers are difficult to operate because they require two separate parking lots, entrances, and waiting lobbies for the separate parents. They proudly operate one of the only visiting centers in northeast Ohio.
The biggest challenge of what this organization faces is simply awareness. Relating to this causes is difficult because so few people have family members effected compared to diseases like cancer. Student Council was able to raise $555 from t-shirt sales. This only will contribute to all the services provided by The Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy center.
Student Council was glad to be able to make a difference for this organization while bringing back a old tradition. They hope to continue to raise money and hold this tradition for many years to come.