WRC Blend for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Higher Grounds Coffee Chat with WRC Video

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month—a time to listen, to act, and to stand with survivors. We’re honored to partner with the Women’s Resource Center and help amplify the critical work they do every day.

WRC shared a powerful truth with us: "To address the wellness of our community, we must address the issue of sexual assault."

The health and wellness of a community depends on how it treats every member, in every situation—especially those experiencing harm or crisis. Sexual violence doesn’t just impact individuals; it echoes through families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. By supporting survivors and challenging the systems that allow violence to persist, we help create a safer, more just community for everyone.

💜 Coffee For Change: WRC Blend by Higher Grounds Coffee

To help raise awareness and funds, Higher Grounds worked directly with WRC to create WRC Blend, a coffee designed to support their mission. When you purchase a bag from our website or in our café, $5 goes directly to WRC and their life-changing programs.

We are proud to use our platform to elevate their message and encourage action.

There’s so much that individuals in our community can do to support WRC—and survivors—directly. Read on for stories, facts, and tangible ways to make a difference.

💻 Buy online: WRC Blend

📅 Upcoming Event: Honoring Survivors and 50 Years of Impact

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is turning 50!
To honor this milestone, a free community event will be held at the City Opera House on May 21, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 pm.

The evening will reflect on WRC’s journey and highlight two stories that span generations: Jeanette Smith (1979) and Tina Talbot (2018) — Michigan women who survived “kill or be killed” domestic violence situations.

Survivor Tina Talbot will speak about her harrowing experience and decision to protect herself and her son after enduring decades of abuse. Space is limited. RSVP NOW. Mark your calendars and plan to arrive early.

📅 Upcoming Event: WRC at Oryana, April 21–25

Volunteers will be on-site collecting pantry donations for the shelter. Stop by to learn more about WRC, show support, and make a direct impact to the lives of survirors.
Higher Grounds will join WRC at Oryana throughout the week to provide samples of WRC Blend coffee, which can be purchased at Oryana Coop year-round.

💜 Who Is WRC?

Founded in 1975, the Women’s Resource Center is the only provider of domestic and sexual violence services in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties.

Mission: To protect, shelter, and empower people impacted by domestic and sexual violence.
Vision: To foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, advocating for survivors through empowerment and a sustainable funding model.

WRC offers:

24/7 crisis hotline
Safe shelter
Survivor-guided support
Court/hospital advocacy
Personal Protection Order assistance
Safety planning and legal aid
Community resource connections

Learn more: www.womensresourcecenter.org

How to Support WRC

🧡 Donate

Give online, by phone, or by mail
Donate stocks, securities, or through estate gifts
Provide goods or pantry items for shelter residents
Support WRC Thrift Shops — open to all, offering free items to those in need

Ways To Give: https://www.womensresourcecenter.org/get-involved/give-today/

WRC’s Current Community Impact:

25+ survivors and children housed
5,000+ crisis calls answered annually
$8,000/month in clothing and household goods distributed
WRC Thrift Shops have returned nearly $100,000 in items to community members in need

From providing suits for job interviews to furnishing homes after fires, WRC is there when people need help the most

🧡 Volunteer

Volunteers are vital to WRC’s work. Opportunities include:

Answering phones
Supporting events
Helping at thrift shops
Outreach and education

Volunteer training includes a 15-hour certification on trauma-informed support and domestic/sexual violence dynamics.
🗓️ 2025 training dates coming soon

https://www.womensresourcecenter.org/get-involved/volunteer/

How to Support a Survivor in Your Life

Listen without judgment
"You're not alone. I'm here for you and I'm glad you told me."
Help build a safety plan
Safety looks different for everyone. Empower their choices.
Avoid criticizing the abuser
Focus on the survivor's experience to avoid pushing them away.
Affirm: It’s not their fault
"No one ever has the right to hurt you."
Offer support and resources
Ask what they need. Respect their timeline and decisions.

📥 Download the full guide

Fast Facts: Sexual Violence in the U.S. & Michigan

Every 68 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted
Michigan has the 4th highest sexual assault rate in the U.S.
1 in 5 American women have survived sexual assault or attempted rape

Victims of sexual assault are:

3x more likely to suffer from depression
6x more likely to experience PTSD
13x more likely to abuse alcohol
26x more likely to abuse drugs
4x more likely to contemplate suicide

📞 Hotline: 1-800-554-4972
🌐 Learn more: www.womensresourcecenter.org