Ashley Bain recognized by Women Helping Women

2015 Apr 30

Miami University student Ashley Bain of Royal Oak, Michigan has received the Butler County Founder's Volunteer Award from Women Helping Women.

The organization honors volunteers who embody the agency's mission and have made a significant impact.

Women Helping Women provides support services and crisis intervention for all survivors, women and men, of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Bain is a senior at Miami studying social work. She is a volunteer for Women Helping Women at its Oxford office, where she works as a responding advocate. “Coping with sexual assault is a difficult and long process,” Bain said. “Being able to help someone through this difficult time by providing compassion and helpful resources, which allows the victim to put faith back in themselves and mankind, has provided me with a feeling of hope and gratification.“ As a volunteer, Bain goes on call for 12-hour shifts and responds to hospital calls when alleged sexual assaults are reported. She also co-facilitates support groups and counsels and completes follow-ups with survivors. “I truly enjoy helping people, and this organization seemed like it would provide me with a great opportunity to learn and be of assistance to people,” Bain said. After she graduates, Bain plans to attend graduate school to receive her master’s in social work. Then she plans to pursue a career in social work, working specifically in hospital settings to offer counseling.