Julie Valentine Center Journey of Hope and Healing Virtual Fundraiser   ○   Fight for What's Right

Evelyn Mitchell

February 12, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm

My Personal Fundraising Page

Fight For What's Right

Hi Family and Friends,

 As you all know by now, the realization that rape kits are still sitting on shelves untested and being destroyed  (just as mine was 40 years ago)  is what prompted me to use my story to work for change. As part of my commitment to working to help other survivors, I told my story before various Committees of the SC Legislature during 2019 and 2020 sessions. It was tiring, emotional and time consuming and it didn’t take me long to realize it would have been easier to choose not to be involved. But, thanks to an amazing network of supporters like yourselves, I found strength and reassurance that this was a fight worth fighting. What I was least prepared for was the realization that just because something seems perfectly logical and necessary, that doesn’t mean it will happen without roadblocks. After many letters, interviews with media outlets, fund raisers, trips back and forth to Columbia and requests for bipartisan support, we were rewarded for our efforts with the successful enactment of H3309 on May 19, 2020. The Bill mandates that a Tracking System for Sexual Assault kits is implemented no later than June 1, 2022.

The work to actually see the system put into place and “up and running” has taken on a life of its own. I along with 2 key employees from the Julie Valentine Center have been serving on a Task Force set up by SLED which was organized with the goal of having input from numerous sources referred to as “stakeholders”. After being involved in several meetings, a “Implementation Plan”  was delivered to the Governor and Senate/House Judiciary Committees in early January, 2021. To summarize that report, “SLED has updated the fiscal impact report for H. 3309 to reflect the cost and informed the S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office that it believes that approximately One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) in funding will be needed in order to purchase and implement a system pursuant to the timeline set forth in H. 3309, which requires full implementation "no later than June 1, 2022." As I mentioned above and am even more aware of now, just because something is logical and necessary, it is by no means simple to achieve!

My goal is to continue my work with the JVC both as a Board Member and also as an Advocate. I want victims, survivors and their families to get the services they need on their path to healing. I am 100% convinced there is no way a person can overcome the trauma of this type without experienced supervised assistance. I had the support of my parents and two medical professionals and it still took years and years of work. I also plan to keep working toward the goal of seeing the Rape Kit Tracking System put into place. After having a taste of what’s involved in creating meaningful change, I am hopeful we will have the benefit of institutional knowledge and a large support system in place so that when we cast our net to work toward the ultimate goal of seeing that all rape kits are tested in South Carolina we will ready for the challenge.

I hope you'll purchase tickets for this event which will be incredibly meaningful and moving, I'm sure. 

My promise to you is that I will continue to Fight for What’s Right. Your donations to the necessary Julie Valentine Center fundraising efforts will help so much. 

 

With Love,

Evelyn

 

 

$3,931.25

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$3,200.00

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My Supporters

  • Anonymous February 2021 $300.00
  • Facebook Donor February 2021 $55.00
  • Ashley Reynolds Thank you Evelyn for your devotion to JVC mission! February 2021 $250.00
  • Facebook Donor February 2021 $40.00
  • Anonymous For the great work you do and the inspiration that you are, thank you. January 2021 $25.00
  • Facebook Donor January 2021 $1,000.00
  • Anonymous February 2021 $300.00
  • Ashley Reynolds Thank you Evelyn for your devotion to JVC mission! February 2021 $250.00
  • Facebook Donor January 2021 $100.00
  • Facebook Donor January 2021 $100.00

My Teammates