The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Lacrosse team came together on Wednesday evening to discuss and promote positive, healthy and violence-free relationships. Senior Melissa Gabay and junior Abby Fitzgerald served as trained facilitators for the One Love Foundation, leading their teammates in an Escalation Workshop, which included the viewing of a public service announcement film and a question, answer and discussion session. The squad has decided to join forces with the foundation to bring awareness to an issue that has become more prevalent in our society over the last few years.

The One Love Foundation was started in 2010 to honor the memory of Yeardley Love. On May 3rd, 2010 Yeardley, who was then a senior lacrosse player at the University of Virginia and just three weeks shy of her graduation, was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend. One Love works with young people across the country to raise awareness about the warning signs of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, while activating communities to work to change the statistics around relationship violence. Currently, statistics show that 1-in-3 women and 1-in-4 men will experience relationship violence in their lifetime.

Today, when the Spartans faced off against Caldwell University, the team hosted their One Love Foundation Day game in support of the organization, to raise awareness of relationship violence and in memory of Yeardley Love.

 Anyone wishing to learn more about the One Love Foundation should visit their website by clicking here.

 One Love Foundation Social Media Platforms: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

 To donate to the One Love Foundation, click here.