The "Rachel's Box" Program
The "Rachel's Box" program, an active part of the Concord area domestic violence prevention efforts and a project of the Network for Women's Lives is an active part of the Concord area domestic violence prevention efforts. On September 18, Rachel's Box staff and volunteers gathered with the community to share conversation, refreshments, and recommitment to the program in a second-decade rededication and anniversary at the Trinitarian Congregational church.
These specially designed wooden boxes provide victim assistance resource and informational material, support and volunteer information, and a place to insert local violence prevention program flyers. The project had early assistance and ongoing encouragement from the Concord-Carlisle League of Women Voters.
Many of Concord's public buildings host a Rachel's Box, every one a dynamic unit containing material appropriate to its institutional setting. Churches, public libraries, our Town House, and a number of retailers each have specific materials, depending upon the institutional or constituent focus. All of Concord's public schools, from the elementary schools to Concord-Carlisle High School, host a Rachel's Box, located in nurses' offices or the guidance office.
Nancy James, Rachel's Box program founder, thanked the gathering for their courageous and enduring efforts to host and support Rachel's Boxes. She acknowledged both the Network for Women's Lives and the Concord-Carlisle League of Women Voters for early and ongoing support. James introduced three speakers, each of whom have been supportive of the project from the very beginning: Concord's Chief of Police, Leonard Wetherbee, who was recognized for having one of the earliest understandings of the complex issues of domestic violence; Senator Pamela Resor, who gave her entire pay raise in the mid-1990's to help fund the Rachel's Box program, and the Reverend Doctor John Lombard, whose church has hosted the first and every subsequent Rachel's' Box rededication. Mary Jane Nichols spoke from the Network for Women's Lives, thanking Network members and the community for ongoing volunteer efforts to both fill the boxes, and expand from an original 20 boxes to the 50 now throughout the western suburban area.
Chief Wetherbee spoke of the enormous impact those quiet sentinels make in the community, and expressed his pleasure at being a part of a community that cares about the issue of domestic violence. Senator Resor commented on the impact of domestic violence on our society and described her supporting efforts of domestic violence prevention legislation on Beacon Hill.
Dr. Lombard reminded the gathering of the staggering national statistics of domestic violence, including elder and child abuse. Concluding with a solemn moment of reflection and prayer for strength in efforts going forward, Dr. Lombard said: "May the silent witness and mission of Rachel's Box continue to save lives and offer hope to those bruised in body and broken in spirit. May the various boxes in many places serve as messengers of a compassionate community committed to its members' wholeness and health as well as freedom from fear and intimidation for all."
For more information, please call Nancy James at 978-369-2771
Art Credits: Page designed by Windfall. Images courtesy of Clipart.com.
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