Dreamweaver Marketing News, Stand Up to Violence Week Without Violence: October 11-17, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        

CONTACT:  Ellen Sheppard

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

412-255-1253

esheppard@ywcapgh.org

Stand Up to Violence

Week Without Violence: October 11-17, 2015

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 7, 2015):  The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh invites the public to stand up to violence during the 20th annual Week Without Violence:  October 11-17, 2015.

The Week Without Violence is a signature initiative created by the YWCA USA 20 years ago to mobilize people in communities across the United States against all forms of violence, wherever it occurs. The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh joins YWCA’s nationwide in hosting local Week Without Violence events that raise awareness about and put an end to violence in all forms.

“The facts are appalling,” said Chaz Kellem, newly appointed Senior Director of Advocacy for Race and Gender Equity, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. Kellem refers to the statistic showing that 46 women are shot to death every month by a current or former partner in domestic violence-related homicides. “This week, choose to stand up. We cannot continue to lose our family and friends to violence.”

“Violence should not be the answer to our problems,” said Magdeline E. Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. “As a community, we must come together and look for alternative solutions. That’s what the Week Without Violence is all about. I urge everyone to get involved.”

YWCA Week Without Violence gives you practical, sustainable non-violent alternatives through a week-long series of events. For more information, call 412-255-1466 or go to www.ywcapgh.org.

Event Line-up

Sunday, October 11: Day of Remembrance

Mark and celebrate this day in memory of friends and loved ones lost to violence.

Monday, October 12: Fun with the Force

Mingle with members of Pittsburgh’s police, SWAT team, bomb squad and K9 officers for hands-on activities, truck tours, and interactive play.

Time: 3:30pm - 5:30pm | Location: YWCA, Homewood Brushton Center, 6907 Frankstown Avenue

Tuesday, October 13: Making Our Schools Safe

YWCA, Prime Stage Theatre and Community College of Allegheny County present You Belong to Me, a teen production based on the warning signs of dating violence. Panel discussion to follow.
(Not open to the public.)

Wednesday, October 14: Surviving Domestic Violence

Hear one woman’s story of survival; learn about legal protection and safety strategies. Featuring panelists Eric Kroll, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Lorrain Bittner, Women’s Center and Shelter. Register at ywcapgh.org

Time: 9:00pm – 12:00pm | Location: YWCA, 305 Wood Street, Pgh, PA 15222 (fourth floor)

Thursday, October 15: Youth Speak & We Listen: Town Hall Meeting

Join Pittsburgh Police Chief, Cameron Mclay, in a community discussion on how to change the culture of violence. Presented by Black Women for Positive Change. #YouthSpeak

Time: 10:00am – 11:30am | Location: CCAC Allegheny Campus, Foerester Student Center

Friday, October 16: Eliminating Racism and Hate Crime

Use your social media voice to raise hate crime, racism and violence awareness. Look for details via Twitter (@ywcapgh) and Facebook.

Saturday, October 17: Replacing Violence with Recreation and Fun

Spend time with family:

• Check out Frick Art & Historical Center, The Frick Art Museum and Car & Carriage Museum – FREE ADMISSION
• Visit Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 

The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh strengthens our community by creating and advancing opportunities for all women to seek equality and self-sufficiency; and is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.For more information about the YWCA’s programs and services, visit www.ywcapgh.org or call 412-391-5100.

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Touring Production of You Belong to Me

Prime Stage Theatre and YWCA Partner to Educate During Week Without Violence
Touring Production of You Belong to Me Educates through the arts

PITTSBURGH – Prime Stage Theatre is proud to announce the partnership with the YWCA of Pittsburgh and CCAC of Monroeville during the Week Without Violence. PST will present their Highmark sponsored Teen Dating Awareness Program that educates against teen dating violence. The multi-faceted platform raises awareness, encourages, and provides the tools and resources for teens, parents and educators through the arts.

The one-hour presentation will be held on Tuesday, October 15 from 10-1 at the CCAC Boyce Campus located at 595 Beatty Road, Monroeville. It includes the theatrical production of You Belong to Me, an original script written by Debbie Lamedman, in collaboration with Gary Shaw, a teacher at Pittsburg High School in Kansas and his high school students. It is a blend of a first-hand testimony from Ms. Jodi Cuccia, whose daughter was the victim of dating violence, and a theatrical experience.

The program concludes with a Q&A session where the audience gets the opportunity to share their thoughts and ask questions with the cast, teachers and Ms. Cuccia.  The program includes local resources that the audience can contact immediately and confidentially.

TDA is partnered with the Domestic Violence Center of Southwestern PA and endorsed by Futures Without Violence, a national organization whose mission is to prevent and end violence against women and children around the world.

For more information about TDA or to schedule a presentation, contact Prime Stage at tda@primestage.com.

THE HIGHMARK FOUNDATION
Established in 2000, the Highmark Foundation is a charitable organization, a private foundation and an affiliate of Highmark Inc. that supports initiatives and programs aimed at improving community health. As a thought leader in public health and human service initiatives, the Foundation’s greatest success is uniting regional, national and global organizations with like missions to raise awareness and stimulate long-term and systemic change.

PRIME STAGE
Our mission is to entertain, educate and enrich families, students, and educators in the discovery of live theatre and literature.

Like us on Facebook (Prime Stage Theatre) and follow us on Twitter (Prime_Stage)
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Samantha Stonebraker
Social Media Manager
Teen Dating Awareness Program
sstonebraker@primestage.com

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

YWCA and Pirates Team Up Against Domestic Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            

CONTACT:
Laura Harwin
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
412-255-1279

YWCA and Pittsburgh Pirates Team Up to Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence Prevention

Seeking donations of hygiene/personal care items for domestic violence shelters

PITTSBURGH, PA (August 23, 2012):  The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pirates are teaming up on August 29 to raise awareness around domestic violence prevention – by creating emergency kits for area domestic violence shelters. Special guests will include a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates team, to assist volunteers in preparing the kits, and the Pirate Parrot, to interact with and excite volunteers and visitors.  The Pirates will also donate tickets for a September game for the shelters to distribute to families.

The organizations are asking for the general public’s help with the donation of new/unopened hygiene and personal care items. People can drop off the donations today through noon on August 29 at any YWCA location:
•         Headquarters – 305 Wood St., Downtown Pittsburgh
•         Homewood-Brushton Community Center – 6907 Frankstown Ave.
•         North Office – Two Allegheny Center, Building Two, 4th floor, Northside Pittsburgh
•         South Office – Keystone Commons, 635 Braddock Ave, 2nd floor, East Pittsburgh

For the list of items needed by the shelters, go to www.ywcapgh.org.

“The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to partner with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a third year to raise awareness around domestic violence prevention,” said Magdeline E. Jensen, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. “One of the YWCA’s national priorities is educating the community about the existence and elimination of violence against women and children.”

Domestic violence impacts countless women and children in southwestern Pennsylvania; educating the public and providing community resources are critical steps in eliminating abuse.  The organizations welcome all those interested in learning more about the impact of domestic violence, and invite the community to join this educational event and work to end all forms of violence against women.

For the past three years, this community partnership has served as a kick-off event for the national YWCA Week Without Violence campaign, held this year on October 21-27, 2012. For more information or questions, contact Mell Steven Cosnek at 412-255-1466 ormstevencosnek@ywcapgh.org.

The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is a women’s membership movement committed to the elimination of racism and the economic empowerment of women and girls.  To learn more about the YWCA’s programs and services, visit www.ywcapgh.org or call 412-391-5100.

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Laura Harwin
Director of Development and Marketing
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
305 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 255-1279 (phone)
(412) 391-5109 (fax)

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh