ASPIRES is a new federally-funded grant program at Tech that recruits and trains registered nurses and professional advocates to provide care for survivors of sexual assault. ASPIRES focuses on providing forensic exams (i.e. rape kits), comprehensive advocacy services, connection to resources, care in an encouraging and positive manner, promoting a healing environment and addressing the basic human needs of safety, security and increased self-esteem. While the federal grant covers operating costs, ASPIRES hopes that through the I Heart Tech Students fundraising initiative they can raise money to offer additional support for survivors. For example, they would like to be able to provide each survivor with a tote bag that includes a change of clothes, toiletries, adult coloring books, stress balls, coping cards, water and snacks.
Any gift of any amount to any area made online at https://1915.tntech.edu between Feb. 14 and Mar. 28 counts in the I Heart Tech Students total. Check out the causes featured this year and make a gift to an area on campus that is meaningful to you. Visit https://1915.tntech.edu to learn more.