The Center for Hope and Healing (CHH) celebrated four decades of service to the Greater Lowell Community on November 3rd. CHH envisions a world free from sexual violence. Its mission is to support survivors, engage individuals, and build community free from sexual violence. CHH operates in Lowell and serves 13 surrounding communities of Acton, Boxboro, Billerica, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Littleton, Tewsbury, Tyngsboro, Westford and Wilmington. It provides various survivor services such as hotline, medical response, counseling, legal accompaniment and advocacy, and various prevention and education programs.
As part of the celebration, the center recognized Congresswoman Niki Tsongas with Justice Award, LBGTQ+ Lowell with Organizing Award, Engaging Men and Boys Advisory Board with Inclusion Award and Reliance Grant Program with Future Award.
The CHH staff talked about the general fear to talk about rape and sexual assault breeds sexual assaulter. The only way to make a difference is by getting involved. Activism can make a change. "Small group of thoughful, committed individuals can change the world. In fact, that is what only does."
Congresswoman Tsongas talked about sexual assault in the army. Women are more afraid of the colleagues than the enemy. Under her leadership, now professional retaliation is a crime, women are assigned a dedicated attorney and can request to work in a different unit in the army. The Engaging Men and Boys Advisory Board members said, "Our silence is why the issue exists. We need to unshackle the notion of what it is to be a man."
The event featured live and silent auction of various memorabilia. and was sponsored by Lata Rao of Koh-i-Noor Collections, Enterprise Bank, Lowell Memorial Hospital, and many other businesses.
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