Bear Hugs program was added in 1997.
This program is a partnership with local hospitals. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) or Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) identifies families and children in need. Assistance League of Wichita provides bears for the examination process and in recovery. We have also provide notebooks and totes to help journal the recovery and therapy process.
The needs of these most vulnerable victims have grown since our program has started. We have provided over 3,000 bears since inception. In 2016, we provided over 300 bears and notebooks.
We have had some special events to support this program. Including “Stuff the Subaru” in partnership with Watermark Books and Subaru of Wichita.
For the last several years, Women in Banking have supported us with Bear Collection.