Project Saferide’s mission is in its name. Women stuck somewhere at night without transportation have relied on the service for a safe ride home since 1985. But right now, the free service is financially strapped.
Saferide is hosting “Come Play With Us” tonight in the EMU Fir Room from 8 p.m. to midnight. The benefit will feature hip-hop performances by female artists from the Portland area. There is no cover charge, but Saferide hopes to receive enough through donations to fill the hole in its budget.
“The campus community is abuzz about ‘Come Play with Us,’” said Casey Rohter, the program’s co-director and event coordinator. “We’ve devoted a lot of time and energy to making this work.”
Project Coordinator Melissa Winkler said Saferide has been experiencing budget problems because it’s had to share the budget with Nightride, a service that offers rides to both men and women. Recent vehicle repairs have also left a substantial need for funds.
Winkler said the program is also looking to invest in battery cell packs to increase safety for stranded drivers. The cell packs will be used to jump-start vehicles, a safer option than having to hunt for help.
“I think it’s one of the most important programs on campus because it gives women a sense of unity in protecting one another,” Winkler said. “It’s all about women helping women.”
Kaitlin Kerwin has been volunteering as a driver for Saferide since fall of 2002. She and other volunteers are expected to commit one night a week and one weekend night per month. The service is most popular after 9 p.m. on weekdays, but weekends are very busy.
“(Saferide) helps to equalize men’s and women’s rights,” Kerwin said. “Men who go out at night don’t usually have to worry about sexual assault. Now women have the ability to go out freely without having to take a chance.”
Department of Public Safety Associate Director Tom Hicks said officers will often escort callers who need to get from one area of the campus to another, but for most students who need a ride to an off-campus location, DPS will refer them to Saferide.
According to Rohter, Saferide is one of the only all-women sexual assault prevention shuttles in the nation and provides more than 9,000 rides per year to female students.