National Organization for Men Against Sexism

On Saturday, April 26, the Boston chapter of the National Organization for Men Against Sexism worked with several local domestic violence organizations and students groups to host a Super Supply Drive.

Volunteers set-up collection sites in Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Harvard Sq. and Porter Sq. outside of supermarkets, drugstores and hardware stores. They asked shoppers to purchase additional items requested on shelter "wish lists". Over 50 people volunteered, collecting about 80 boxes for 5 shelters. Incredible.

Perhaps more important, we had a chance to talk with hundreds of people all over Boston about the important issue of domestic violence, we gave people a way to participate in the solution, we built relationships with each other and between organizations and... we made a strong statement in our fliers, our visibility and our great press coverage that this is an issue that men need to be involved in.

The story was picked up by the Associated Press (AP) and spread across the U.S.!

Super Supply Drive
April 26, 2008 ~ 10am-4pm

This event represents the growing recognition that countering sexual assault and domestic violence is in fact a 'men's issue' as well as a 'women's issue.'

On Saturday, April 26, the Boston chapter of the National Organization for Men Against Sexism will be working with several local domestic violence organizations and students groups to host a Super Supply Drive. Volunteers from these groups will be collecting supplies for DV shelters outside supermarkets and drugstores in Cambridge, Somerville and Boston.

Please stop by one of the collection sites to purchase an item on a shelter "wish list". Items include toiletries, baby products, cleaning supplies and gift cards. Volunteers collect the donated items in boxes which are delivered to local DV shelters.

Rain Date: Sunday April 27th.

Why shop? Cause.

Each drive location gathers boxes of supplies, plus cash and gift cards to send to a local DV shelter. Although a huge help, tangible contributions are not the only benefit of these supply drives.

Volunteers are also able to educate the public, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, about the large percentage of victims across the nation that succumb to domestic violence and sexual assault and that men and boys care to help make a difference.

Locations

Please plan to stop by and shop for a "wish list" item::

Teens from Close to Home, in Dorchester (Rite Aid in Savin Hill at 1100 Dorchester Ave.), donating to the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence.
MIT and Harvard Students, in Harvard Square (CVS at 1426 Mass Ave, with the info table about a block away inside Harvard's Holyoke Center (next to Au Bon Pain), donating to Transition House.
NOMAS-Boston, in Jamaica Plain (Ace Hardware at 656 Centre St and CVS at 704 Centre Street) donating to Elizabeth Stone House.
Unitarian Universalist Men Against Domestic Violence, in Porter Square (CVS, Shaw's and Tags at 25 White St, Cambridge) donating to Renewal House and RESPOND.

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Why wait? Make a donation now.

Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Works to eliminate family violence and to strengthen Asian families and communities. [Donate to ATASK]

Elizabeth Stone House
A community based mental health program, providing both residential and non-residential services. It is an environment where families heal; women grow, and reclaim control over all of the decisions which affect their lives. [Donate to Elizabeth Stone House]

Renewal House
As part of the UU Urban Ministry, they work with women in crisis and their children. They support those who seek change in their lives, those who struggle on behalf of themselves and their children to be rid of the violence and chaos which have brought them to seek shelter. [Donate to Renewal House]

RESPOND
Helps women and their children create options for a safer life, free from domestic violence, and to further the efforts of the larger community to end domestic violence. [Donate to Respond]

Transition House
Works towards the prevention and cessation of domestic violence (DV) through education, outreach and intervention. [Donate to Transition House]

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Volunteers Needed

NOMAS-Boston recognizes that domestic violence occurs to men, women and transgender people; and in all kinds of intimate relationships. Disproportionately men have been the ones to cause harm. Therefore, we have made an effort to have men volunteer at collection sites, to make it visible to the community that domestic violence is in fact a 'men's issue' as well as a 'women's issue.'

Let us know if you'd like to volunteer for an outreach shift. This involves handing out flyers to passing shoppers and/or helping load boxes at the end of the day.

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Co-Sponsors

Harvard groups: OSAPR Student Alliance, Response Peer Counseling and Harvard Men Against Rape

MIT Students Advocating Against Violence (SAAV)

National Organization for Men Against Sexism - Boston chapter

RESPOND

Unitarian Universalist Men Against Domestic Violence

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