Wear Denim, Raise Sexual Assault Awareness

To further honor an outstanding performance of The Vagina Monologues at the Scottish Rite Auditorium Thursday, the Center For Family Services is asking community members to continue supporting its cause.

The Camden City-based branch of Center For Family Services (CFFS) was the beneficiary of this week's performance. The entire effort is a CFFS-run campaign that kicked-off with The Vagina Monologues performance on Thursday—or, V-Day.

The campaign kick-off signaled Camden County V-Day 2011. And Camden County V-Day—an effort endorsed by county organizations, but not by the County of Camden—was a success.

Proceeds of ticket sales, vendor booth sales, and donations generated from The Vagina Monologues benefit CFFS' April campaign. With more than 40 outreach programs in Southern New Jersey, CFFS is dedicated to being a safe haven and a helping hand for at-risk families and children in the region.

And though V-Day came and went, CFFS Camden director of community relations Jennifer Hammill reminds us that spreading sexual assault awareness in 2011 has only just begun. V-Day jump-started the Denim Day 2011 Campaign.

"During the month of April, (which is) Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we coordinate a prevention coalition in Camden County which is open to community volunteers," said Hammill of CFFS. 

In April, to further spread awareness, Hammill said supporters will be wearing one item to symbolize sexual assault awareness—denim.

And Hammill is encouraging anyone and everyone to join the cause.

Every Friday this April, supporters should wear denim clothing to show support.

And on Thursday, April 28, bring out the full denim works—it's CFFS' official Denim Day. On April 28, supporters should wear denim together, in a visual protest of sexual violence. CFFS officials said the State of New Jersey has even officially adopted April 28 as Denim Day. 

And wearing denim, according to the Denim Day 2011 Campaign website, the visual protest will bring supporters together in the fight to end sexual assault. 

For more information about Denim Day, or to make a financial donation, visit the official website of the CFFS cause. To make a $5 donation, supporters can also send a text message with the word EMPOWER to 20222.

To learn more about the CFFS organization, visit their website.