George Mason University’s Student Support and Advocacy Center received for the first time a $75,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Health to strengthen its peer education program and prevention efforts in the area of sexual and interpersonal violence. The grant is renewable for four additional years, resulting in a total of $375,000 for five years.
“This grant will allow us to further develop our peer education program and bolster our prevention efforts,” said Maggie Olszewska, the center's director. “The aim of this grant is perfectly aligned with our ultimate goal to help create a safe and healthy campus community.”
As part of the grant, the center will receive technical assistance and training from the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Action Alliance. The center will also be able to connect with campus peer educator offices at other universities and colleges in the commonwealth to support the promotion of sexual and interpersonal violence prevention.
“Education and training are critical components of creating positive change, and this grant will help to support the important work that the Student Support and Advocacy Center provides to the campus community,” said Juliet Blank-Godlove, dean of students.
With the grant funding, the center will also be able to hire two part-time graduate students to help in their efforts to fight sexual and interpersonal violence.
“Through this grant, Mason is going to be better positioned to serve the greater community by becoming a regional hub assisting other universities in addressing their prevention education needs,” Olszewska said.
The center, a University Life unit, is committed to providing an empowering environment for all Mason students to seek support services and to explore healthy life choices. In addition to sexual and interpersonal violence, the center offers direct intervention services and prevention in the areas of financial well-being as well as substance abuse and recovery. The center also assists students encountering barriers to personal success. Additionally, the center houses the Patriot Pantry for Mason students experiencing food insecurity.
The center’s volunteer peer educators are trained in conducting workshops to provide information about preventing violence and establishing healthy relationships and boundaries, along with bystander intervention.
“We want to create change not just on an individual level but on a systemic level,” said Caitlyn Largent, assistant director for sexual and interpersonal violence response, who will serve as the principal investigator for the grant. “The ultimate goal is to eradicate sexual and interpersonal violence, improving the lives of all students.”