OSWEGO, NY – Employees of Novelis and representatives from the Oswego Speedway presented Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) with a $10,000 donation for the agency’s Services to Aid Families (SAF) program. SAF is Oswego County’s licensed domestic violence and rape crisis program and provides crisis, supportive, advocacy and educational services. Last year, SAF served more than 600 victims and survivors.
Novelis raised the money through its annual Can Chase, a program to support local non-profit organizations. Novelis employees collected cans that were donated by the owners of Oswego Speedway as well as race fans that brought bags of cans to the track. The project was spearheaded by long time Novelis employee Joe Schultzkie, in collaboration with the Torresse family at the Oswego Speedway.
“SAF House does incredibly important work in our community, and Novelis is proud to offer our support in any way possible,” said Kristen Nelson, plant manager, Novelis Oswego. “Whether that support comes in the form of dollars raised by the recycling effort at Oswego Speedway, or through our Women in Novelis group (WiN) that has supported SAF in a number of ways including a lottery board fundraiser, a winter clothing drive and the Christmas stockings full of toiletries, we know that SAF House ensures that those who need help the most get it.”
“We are very appreciative of the support we receive from Novelis, the Novelis WiN Chapter and the Oswego Speedway” said SAF Coordinator Karen Merrill. “Their generous contributions to SAF will assist us in serving victims and survivors in so many ways. These funds will be used to meet unique needs that our restrictive funding sources are not able to. For instance, purchasing clothing and hygiene items for individuals and families entering the SAF House or fleeing domestic violence and sexual assault; exit supplies for clients leaving the SAF House; a hotel stay for a survivor in need of a safe place to stay if our SAF House is at capacity; assistance with transportation and more.”
SAF provides both residential and non-resident services to victims and survivors via the 24/7 Crisis Hotline and in person. In 2022, SAF’s domestic violence shelter provided 2,600 bed nights to 82 families and answered more than 4,700 hotline calls from survivors. The need for services continues to grow. Hotline calls come in daily, and advocates continue to work to meet the growing needs of survivors and their children.
If you or someone you know is a victim or survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, elder abuse, or trafficking, please call the Crisis Hotline at (315) 342-1600. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and is free and confidential.
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