2018 RISE Up Award Winners Announced. To be presented Sept. 9 at 4th Annual Wine Women & Shoes Event

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The RISE Up Awards recognize excellence in community service supporting RISE’s sexual abuse, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence programs; the 2018 RISE Up Award winners are District Attorney Dan Dow, Malani Anderson of Turley Wine Cellars, McPhee’s Grill, and Stand Strong.

RISE will present the awards at the Wine Women & Shoes event on September 9 at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Wine Women & Shoes features a fashion marketplace, eight Central Coast wineries, eight local culinary vendors, and a seated program emceed by local radio DJ and on-air celebrity Adam Montiel, fashion show, live auction by Storage Wars auctioneer Johan Graham, and the presentation of the 2018 RISE Up Awards.

The RISE tagline is “Respect. Inspire. Support. Empower.” Not an acronym, the tagline represents the themes and values that the agency strives to embody.

RESPECT is the cornerstone to ending violence and creating peace. This award honors an individual who works directly with survivors in the criminal justice system, social services, or a partner agency. The RISE Up Respect Award will be presented to Dan Dow for his advocacy and support for survivors as District Attorney.

RISE strives to INSPIRE the community to be active in the movement to end gender-based violence. This award recognizes individuals on the front lines who represent the agency and inspire others to join the movement. The RISE Up Inspire Award will be presented to Malani Anderson for seven years of generous support as a volunteer and community partner.

RISE SUPPORTs loved ones of those affected by sexual assault/abuse and intimate partner violence. This award goes to an individual or business that has provided extraordinary support to RISE and clients of the agency. The RISE Up Support Award will be presented to McPhee’s Grill for donating, hosting and supporting many RISE events over the years.

RISE works to EMPOWER victims to heal from trauma and transform their lives. This award celebrates a community partner that has created or expanded pathways for survivors to access services and heal from their trauma. The RISE Up Empower Award will be presented to Stand Strong for providing robust, essential programs and services for local victims of domestic violence.

“We are proud to recognize community members and organizations that have been so dedicated to helping survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence,“ said RISE Executive Director Jennifer Adams. “Our hope is to continue to recognize spectacular individuals and businesses that have gone above and beyond to end violence and create peace in our community.”

Tickets to Wine Women & Shoes are available online at winewomenandshoes.com/RISE. All proceeds from the event benefit RISE programs that support survivors of sexual assault/abuse and intimate partner violence and their loved ones.

ABOUT RISE: RISE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to transform the lives of sexual and intimate partner violence survivors, their families and the community through services and education that promote safety, healing and empowerment. RISE provides the following programs:  24-hour crisis line, case management, restraining order assistance, accompaniment and advocacy, two safe houses, individual and group counseling, and prevention education.