{"id":2858,"date":"2020-03-01T11:28:15","date_gmt":"2020-03-01T16:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2858"},"modified":"2020-02-25T11:29:52","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T16:29:52","slug":"special-feature-vera-house-launches-26th-annual-white-ribbon-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2858","title":{"rendered":"SPECIAL FEATURE Vera House launches 26th annual White Ribbon Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Megan Sheehan<\/p>\n

For the entire month of March (and beyond), those wearing a white ribbon, pin or bracelet are making a personal statement to never support, commit, or remain silent about abuse. These white ribbons mean \u201cNo more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vera House has run its White Ribbon Campaign for 26 years. The effort not only raises money for the organization, but seeks to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence by getting men on board to spread the message. This year, the campaign is led by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. The two leaders, along with a team of male county government workers, have also completed Vera House\u2019s 12 Men Model Program, which focuses on bringing men together to hold one another accountable.<\/p>\n

\u201cParticipation in the 12 Men Model was transformative for all of us,\u201d McMahon said at a press conference. \u201cCertainly, for me as an individual, and as a leader, I think what is particularly powerful about it is for us to go through that experience and then to go back out into our work environments and to begin to see that ripple effect that this program can have.\u201d<\/p>\n

George Kilpatrick, Vera House\u2019s Men\u2019s Outreach Project Coordinator, said the 12 Men Model has proven extremely successful in changing men\u2019s attitudes toward gender and masculinity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe create a safe space for men to share their most intimate thoughts in ways that they had never anticipated that they would,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The model engages men in groups, sometimes as small as four or as large as 30, to enter into a dialogue about masculinity and male roles. In four to five one-hour sessions (this is flexible), the groups challenge traditionally held thoughts about gender roles \u2014 \u201cboys will be boys\u201d and victim blaming that can lead to a culture that allows violence and abuse \u2014 and encourage participants to carry the lessons they learn out into the greater community. In doing so, the groups hope to create a community that not only redefines the concept of healthy masculinity, but also rejects the culture of domestic violence and calls it out when they see it.<\/p>\n

This is a unique program which has been studied by The Worker Institute of Cornell \u2014 and it has been determined to be effective. Their summary states to have found that \u201cAfter completing the program, men rethought their attitudes toward gender and masculinity and took action towards preventing abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kirkpatrick was thrilled to have two of Onondaga County\u2019s male leaders on board with the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was amazing,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I tell my colleagues across the country that we had our mayor do it, and that we had our county executive do it, that\u2019s really impressive. I can\u2019t emphasize enough how significant that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

For their part, McMahon and Walsh were happy to be part of the campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very honored that I was asked to participate as an honorary co-chair and lend our platform, [and] to encourage more people to get involved and have these conversations,\u201d McMahon said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t make you weak; it makes you strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walsh agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u201cWe are a model here in Syracuse that we are proud of,\u201d he said. \u201cBefore long it spreads far beyond the walls of your office, or your home, throughout your community, throughout your neighborhood and it just keeps going.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s the real purpose of the White Ribbon Campaign, according to the campaign\u2019s co-chair, James Branche.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main goal is to educate and to get the awareness out about domestic violence and sexual abuse, because it happens,\u201d Branche said. \u201c[The fact that] 26 years later, we\u2019re still doing this [White Ribbon Campaign] means it\u2019s necessary. It\u2019s needed to be able to hopefully stop this at some point. I think that\u2019s the most important thing that I see from this campaign is the education piece and what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kirkpatrick said in order to make the campaign successful, more men need to sign up for the 12 Men Model.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want more men to take a leadership role. We want more men to understand that they have a role to play in promoting gender equity and ending gender-based violence,\u201d he said. \u201cWe know that the majority of men are not committing violence but there\u2019s a small percentage that do and we want to reduce that percentage especially because women are impacted most.\u201d<\/p>\n

Branch ended with some advice for men.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes the most difficult conversations are the most rewarding. Being uncomfortable isn\u2019t a bad thing,\u201d he said. \u201cChange doesn\u2019t happen in the comfort. You have to be uncomfortable to make change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vera House has set a goal of $20,000 for this year\u2019s White Ribbon Campaign. You can help by fundraising the White Ribbon Campaign Walk on Friday, March 20 at 12PM starting in Clinton Square and ending at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in participating in a Men\u2019s Outreach Program, contact George Kilpatrick at Gkilpatrick@Verahouse.org<\/a> or (315)425-0818 ext.2254<\/p>\n

For more information on Vera House programs and fundraising efforts visit www.verahouse.org<\/p>\n

As always, if you are in crisis, call the 24 hour help line (315)468-3260.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Megan Sheehan For the entire month of March (and beyond), those wearing a white ribbon, pin or bracelet are making a personal statement to never support, commit, or remain silent about abuse. These white ribbons mean \u201cNo more.\u201d Vera House has run its White Ribbon Campaign for 26 years. The effort not only raises…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[104,101,126,4],"tags":[1106,776,971,253,563],"class_list":["post-2858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-causes","category-features","category-health","category-special-feature","tag-12-men-model","tag-domestic-abuse","tag-domestic-violence","tag-vera-house","tag-white-ribbon-campaign"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/white-ribbon.jpg?fit=303%2C166&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1593,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1593","url_meta":{"origin":2858,"position":0},"title":"White Ribbon Campaign","author":"Staff","date":"March 1, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Standing with Women Photography provided by Vera House\u00a0 Each March, Vera House leads the White Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness and funds to stop domestic and sexual violence. This year, Syracuse City School District Superintendent Jaime Alicea will serve as honorary chair of the 24th Annual White Ribbon Campaign. Proceeds\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_9812.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_9812.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_9812.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_9812.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_9812.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2283,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2283","url_meta":{"origin":2858,"position":1},"title":"SPECIAL FEATURE: White Ribbon Campaign marks 25 years","author":"Sarah Hall","date":"February 27, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Long before #MeToo and #TimesUp, before Gillette and the American Psychological Association took on toxic masculinity, men across Central New York were speaking out against domestic and sexual violence. Working with Vera House, men like Calvin Corriders, regional president for Pathfinder Bank, Mark Fuller, CFO of United Radio, and James\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Causes"","block_context":{"text":"Causes","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=104"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1858,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1858","url_meta":{"origin":2858,"position":2},"title":"Michael Norton","author":"Staff","date":"May 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Teaching Respect\u00a0 By Mary Beth Roach | Photography by Alexis Emm In both his personal and professional life, Mike Norton has championed the cause of respect for women. Now a sergeant with the Onondaga County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Norton grew up as one of four brothers in a home where respect\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/SWM-MAG-5-14-18-Alexis-Emm-Photo-10.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/SWM-MAG-5-14-18-Alexis-Emm-Photo-10.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/SWM-MAG-5-14-18-Alexis-Emm-Photo-10.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/SWM-MAG-5-14-18-Alexis-Emm-Photo-10.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/SWM-MAG-5-14-18-Alexis-Emm-Photo-10.jpg?fit=1200%2C786&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2610,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2610","url_meta":{"origin":2858,"position":3},"title":"INSPIRE: Bryn Lovejoy-Grinnell, Vera House attorney","author":"Sarah Hall","date":"October 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Sarah Hall Photos by Maureen Tricase\/Capture Your Moments \u00a0 Bryn Lovejoy-Grinnell is often surprised at how many people she encounters who don\u2019t realize they\u2019re being subjected to interpersonal abuse. \u201c[They] came in for a divorce and they started talking and you realize, \u2018What you just described is abusive,\u201d said\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Features"","block_context":{"text":"Features","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=101"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/fullsizeoutput-9344_7786030.jpeg?fit=834%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/fullsizeoutput-9344_7786030.jpeg?fit=834%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/fullsizeoutput-9344_7786030.jpeg?fit=834%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/fullsizeoutput-9344_7786030.jpeg?fit=834%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":768,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=768","url_meta":{"origin":2858,"position":4},"title":"George Kilpatrick","author":"Staff","date":"May 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"How to Be a Man By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Alice G. Patterson\u00a0 It was just another normal night. George Kilpatrick was driving down 481, when suddenly, an idea struck him. He\u2019s been in media for decades \u2014 radio and television \u2014 but that night, he had an inspiration\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/George-Kilpatrick-Syracuse-Woman-Magazine-0007-.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/George-Kilpatrick-Syracuse-Woman-Magazine-0007-.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/George-Kilpatrick-Syracuse-Woman-Magazine-0007-.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/George-Kilpatrick-Syracuse-Woman-Magazine-0007-.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/George-Kilpatrick-Syracuse-Woman-Magazine-0007-.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2411,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2411","url_meta":{"origin":2858,"position":5},"title":"INSPIRE: Solon Quinn, Photographer\/Videographer, Solon Quinn Studios","author":"Staff","date":"June 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Sarah Tietje-Mietz Photo by Michael Hurn \u00a0 A single chair sits alone in the black-walled studio, lit by only a few spotlights. Instead of stark and intimidating, it feels serene, warm, and safe. From this chair, many have opened themselves up to share their stories with the camera in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_0467-2.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_0467-2.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_0467-2.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_0467-2.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2858"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2859,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2858\/revisions\/2859"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}