Awards and Recognition

Outstanding Community Service Award 2023

Soteria was recognized with this award because of our overall community service efforts for an ongoing program or a series of programs. One nomination had this to say about our organization:

"Our organization, Soteria: Promoting Healthy Love, only started about two semesters ago, but we have still managed to make a big difference in the VCU and Richmond communities in following our mission of supporting victims of domestic violence and spreading information about healthy relationship dynamics. In order to spread information about healthy relationships to the student body, we have done a OneLove training and a variety of tabling about topics like healthy relationships and self love. We were able to uplift the VCU community by helping students recognize signs of unhealthy and abusive relationships. We hosted an event at the beginning of the school year selling tote bags, t-shirts, and temporary tattoos with all proceeds raised being donated to the Project for the Empowerment of Survivors Fund run by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance. This meant that we were able to help victims of domestic and sexual violence get justice through the legal system. We also held a fundraiser on campus to purchase gift cards and essential items to be donated to Safe harbor, an institution that shelters victims of human trafficking."

Spring Events 2023

SOVO Fair - January 20th. We tabled at the SOVO Fair to raise awareness about Soteria's mission and help engage potential new general body members.

February General Body Meeting - February 6 6:30 in The Commons (SGA Senate Chambers). We made Valentines for local agencies as well as the student body to spread positivity during our Healthy Love Campaign.

Healthy Love Campaign - February 14 1:00-3:00 in The Compass (Shafer Side). We handed out valentines, interacting with students to share positivity within their relationships, and had a valentines making station.

Meal Train - April 4th 2-4 at WAVE Church. We made home-cooked meals for the women and children at Safe Harbor. Safe Harbor is a human trafficking and domestic violence shelter.

April Banquet - Our Honorary Helping Banquet was a way to thank representatives with some of the important organizations that we partnered with this past year: Safe Harbor, Project Empower, and Hanover Safe Place.

Fall Events 2022

SOVO Fair - At the start of the fall semester we tabled at VCU's organization fair. Soteria gained 65 members from this event. This was also Soteria's first event on campus.

Tattoos For Change - Soteria partnered with local tattoo artists from Yellowbird and VCUArts students to design tote bags, shirts, and flash tattoos. These were sold to students on campus and all proceeds were donated to the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence legal fund. Soteria raised ~$2,000 for this legal fund. The fund helps survivors get proper legal aid and assistance.

Domestic Violence Awareness Tabling - Soteria has a presence on campus by tabling during awareness months for applicable issues. This past semester we tabled to educate the student population on domestic violence.

Holiday Coffee and Donut Sale - We raised money to purchase needed items for Safe Harbor a local agency working with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. All proceeds from selling coffee and donuts to the student population went todays Kroger gift cards and needed items.

Holiday Needed Items Drive - During the holiday season members of the organization tabled outside of Kroger in Carytown. Shoppers were asked to help donate needed items to Safe Harbor. We collected an entire wagon full of needed items as well as various Kroger gift cards to donate.

General Body Paint n' Sip - In order to build club community and help students destress during finals week Soteria help a paint n' sip. All VCU students were invited to attend and meet new students as well as get to know more about Soteria.