SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY – The RISE Up Awards recognize excellence in community service supporting RISE’s sexual assault and intimate partner violence programs; the 2016 RISE Up Award winners are District Attorney Investigator Donna Jones, RISE Friends Committee member Nancy Lyons, Meathead Movers and CEO Aaron Steed, Paragon Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and owners Chris and Mallory Lovato, and RISE Board President Dr. Kate Perry.
RISE will present the awards at the Wine Women & Shoes event on September 11 at the SpringHill Suites Marriott in Atascadero. Wine Women & Shoes features a fashion marketplace, nine Central Coast and Napa Valley wineries, seven SLO County culinary vendors, and a seated program emceed by comedian and former Saturday Night Live writer Jim Pelley, fashion show, live auction by Storage Wars auctioneer Johan Graham, and the presentation of the 2016 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 District Attorney Investigator, Donna Jones, for her valued work with survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault over the past 21 years.
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 Nancy Lyons for her long-standing and tireless work as a member of RISE’s Friends Committee for the past nine years.
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 Meathead Movers and CEO Aaron Steed for donating moving services to survivors fleeing abuse and for encouraging local businesses to provide support via their #MoveToEndDV campaign.
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 Paragon Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and owners Chris and Mallory Lovato for providing studio space and instructors for RISE self-defense and empowerment workshops throughout the community.
This year, RISE honors Dr. Kate Perry with the RISE Up Legacy Award for the long-lasting impact she’s made as a member of RISE’s Board of Directors over the past six years. She served as Board President of the North County Women’s Shelter and Resource Center, facilitating the agency’s merger with the Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Center. Later she served as Board President of RISE. Her leadership has left a lasting legacy for survivors, the agency, and the community.
“We are thrilled to honor those who have been so dedicated to 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 RISEslo.org. All proceeds from the event benefit RISE programs that support survivors and loved ones of sexual assault/abuse and intimate partner violence.
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, prevention education and self-defense workshops.