Thank You for a Powerful Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Together We Act, United We Change

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, YWCA Lancaster extends our deepest gratitude to every individual, organization, partner, and supporter who stood with us this April to raise awareness, uplift survivor voices, and build a safer, more just Lancaster County.

Elevating Voices and Creating Community

From our Breaking Silence Open Mic Night with Read Rose Books to the creation of a vibrant mural at curio. Gallery & Creative Supply, you helped make space for healing, expression, and connection. Whether through poetry, paint, or presence, our community came together to affirm that survivors are heard, believed, and supported.

We’re also grateful to the many families who joined our Children’s Book Reading Series across local libraries and bookstores. Through stories like Same Love, Different Hug and I’m Okay to Feel, we helped plant seeds of empathy, empowerment, and body autonomy with our youngest readers—fostering safe and respectful futures.

Community Support

A heartfelt thank you to the 20+ local cafes who partnered with us for our SAAM Coffee Sleeve Campaign. With every sleeve served, these establishments helped share our 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline and resources with neighbors across Lancaster County—reminding survivors that support is always available.

Café One Eight, Bistro Barbaret and Bakery, Endo Cafe, Cactus Cafe Chestnut Hill, Geneva Bakery Café, Dosie Dough, Gracie’s on West Main, Griddle & Grind Cafe, Javateas Gourmet Coffee Café, Mean Cup, Prince Street Café, Sugarplums and Teas, Roasted Rooster, Splits and Giggles Café, Speckled Hen Coffee

Advocacy Across the County

This April, local leaders from boroughs and townships throughout Lancaster County joined us in recognizing SAAM with official proclamations and resolutions, affirming their commitment to ending sexual violence. We thank every council member, mayor, and municipal leader who joined this effort to uplift survivors and promote prevention in their communities.

Health Partners Taking a Stand

We are incredibly thankful to our partners in healthcare who joined our Teal Ribbon Campaign. From emergency departments to urgent cares, staff wore teal ribbons, distributed educational materials, and engaged in awareness efforts to stand in solidarity with victim survivors.

Thank you to:

  • Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center Emergency Department

  • Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Emergency Department

  • UPMC Lititz Emergency Department

  • WellSpan Health Ephrata Community Hospital Emergency Department

  • Union Community Care, Planned Parenthood Lancaster

  • Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Urgent Cares

  • Wellspan Health Urgent Cares

The work you are doing is invaluable in supporting victim survivors and preventing sexual assault, abuse and harassment.  

At YWCA Lancaster, we believe that ending sexual violence is possible—and it takes all of us. Through your advocacy, participation, and support this month, you've helped us move one step closer to that vision.

From all of us at the Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center, thank you for standing with survivors. Thank you for acting with purpose. Thank you for showing what’s possible when we unite for change.

If you or someone you know needs support, our Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 717-392-7273.

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Spreading Hope and Support Through Our 2025 Teal Ribbon Campaign

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Together, We Moved for Change: Thank You, Lancaster!