Arkansas Tech University criminal justice and sociology students led an effort during the fall 2023 semester that resulted in the donation of more than 220 fleece blankets to the River Valley Child Advocacy Center (RVCAC).
The project was carried out by the ATU chapters of Alpha Phi Sigma criminal justice honor society and Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honor society.
“Nobody will ever understand what a survivor of abuse has truly gone through unless you have personally experienced it, and I have a special place in my heart for these victims,” said Abby Tate, president of the ATU chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma. “Because of this, it gave me the motivation to promote this project to the best of my ability to receive as many donations as possible. I am very thankful for those who donated.”
Since its establishment in 2018, the RVCAC has provided assistance to almost 2,000 people in Pope County and the surrounding counties. The donated fleece blankets will be utilized to meet the needs of the center’s clients. RVCAC provides services such as forensic interviews, medical exams, therapy and prevention education.
Earlier this semester, Alpha Phi Sigma and Alpha Kappa Delta collected and donated more than 2,000 hygiene items for children under the supervision of the 5th Judicial District.
For more information about Alpha Phi Sigma and Alpha Kappa Delta, send e-mail to Dr. Jason Ulsperger, ATU professor of sociology and criminal justice, at julsperger@atu.edu.
