The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) will honor Jamaica Plain resident Ashley Wells as a Volunteer of the Year at its annual Champions for Change Gala & Auction on Nov. 3rd.
The event is a fundraiser to support BARCC’s direct services to survivors of sexual violence and its public education and advocacy work to enact social change and will be held at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel
Wells is being recognized for her years of volunteer work as a BARCC medical advocate. In that role, Wells meets sexual assault survivors at the hospital to provide them with support and information while they are in the emergency room. She will be honored alongside Walker Bristol of Somerville, a community awareness and prevention services volunteer; and Enid Levangie of Chestnut Hill, a hotline volunteer.
Robert M. Carney of Hull, a partner at Sherin and Lodgen, will be honored as the Champion for Change for his decade-long service as a generous ally to BARCC and advocate for survivors. The event will also feature Kalie Wilkerson, a survivor of sexual violence, speaking about her experience and how BARCC’s services changed her life.
“Our annual Champions for Change Gala is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our most dedicated supporters, as well as the impact they have on survivors and the broader culture,” said BARCC Executive Director Gina Scaramella. “Ashley’s compassionate work with survivors when they are at a very vulnerable moment has helped set many of them on the path to healing. We’re extremely grateful for the generosity and skill of volunteers like Ashley, who make our work with survivors of sexual violence possible.”
Auctioneer Erin Ward will host live and silent auctions. Items available for auction include stays at the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea and Westin Excelsior in Florence, Italy; four fifth-row seats for a Patriots game; tickets for a taping of Watch What Happens Live in New York City; an autographed Rob Gronkowski jersey; and several tropical and staycation adventures. Entertainment will be provided by Katie Zuman of DJZ Entertainment.
Sponsors of the Champions for Change Gala & Auction include Sherin and Lodgen, Uber, Bentley University, Boston IT Services, Harvard University Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Northeastern University, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Berklee College of Music, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Curry College, Eastern Bank, Eaton Vance, Execuspace Construction Corporation, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Partners HealthCare.