Winter Wonderland Dance
Leominster - This past January, Appleseed Personnel Services hosted a dance at the Leominster Eagles to benefit BWRI. The event not only helped the agency,but was also an enjoyable evening for all of those who attended. Many thanks to all who donated raffle items and a special thanks to the all the great staff at Appleseed Personnel Services!
Click here to see photos from the event.
A New Twist for a Mother’s Day Wish:
BWRI Works With Local Students
to End Violence Against Women
Townsend - In a weeklong program of activities, students at North Middlesex Regional High School participated in a Violence Prevention Campaign to coincide with Mother’s Day and put an end to dating violence. Nicholas Howe, Education Coordinator for Battered Women’s Resources Inc. in Leominster, coordinated the program with the school, which included classroom workshops, a powerful memorial display for the victims of domestic violence, and a Mother’s Day pledge.
All of the male students had the opportunity to sign a pledge to end any, and all, violence against women. With the pledge, “I promise from this day forward, to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women”, the young men received a card for their mothers to celebrate Mother’s Day and share their sentiment and promise.
“I think all the guys here should sign this pledge,” said Edward Wojcuilewicz, a sophomore at North Middlesex. “I think a real man treats his girlfriend with respect.”
The pledge forms were circulated during the week and cards were distributed to those who signed their names to keep the promise. Over 600 signatures were tallied by the end of the week, which represents the majority of the high school’s male student population.
Mr. Howe, who coordinates violence prevention programs throughout north central Massachusetts, feels that, “engaging men in the prevention of relationship abuse is imperative. Men cannot be viewed as the problem; they need to be included and active in the solution. I am sincerely impressed by the initiative the gentlemen at North Middlesex have taken. Their willingness to take this pledge should be applauded.”
“An Empty Place at the Table”, created by Howe and Linda Williams, also of BWRI, includes place settings for each of the victims murdered in Massachusetts from October 2004 to September 2005. For that period of time, there are 16 place settings, with individually inscribed plates describing the violence perpetrated against each of the victims. One place setting remains blank, symbolizing the next potential victim, unless the violence is put to an end.
The classroom workshops used videos, group discussion, role-play, and games. The students learned and talked about what is healthy and acceptable in relationships, the importance of establishing boundaries and when and how to end a relationship. The curriculum also focused on when relationships turn dangerous and unhealthy, how to recognize abuse, how to talk to friends who are abused / abusive, and how to seek help should they ever be in an abusive relationship.
At the end of the week, Beth Ferguson, the Health and Physical Education Director for NMRHS, reflected on the program commenting that she was “very pleased that students were so moved by the powerful table setting display, and hopes that these coordinated efforts at awareness and prevention will help to educate young people about violence and give them better strategies for coping with conflict in their relationships”.
The Center for Disease Control recently released a study that reports one in four 8th and 9th grade students will experience some form of dating violence. Teaching students of all ages what is appropriate behavior in relationships, particularly if the children have had no experience with nonviolent relationships, is imperative. With education children will access valuable information and skills on non-violent communication.
BWRI’s School Violence Prevention Programs are making a significant impact and difference throughout North Central Massachusetts. Crocker Elementary School, in Fitchburg, recently reported they have experienced a 16% decline in bullying reports and more than 1,000 high school students in the north central Massachusetts are able to identify and recognize unhealthy behaviors in their dating relationships.
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| Hundred of NMRHS students viewed the powerful display,"Empty Place at the
Table," which honors those whose lives have been taken as a result of domestic violence. |
"The Empty Place at the Table," created by Nicholas Howe and Linda Williams of BWRI. |
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| Walter Kusmirek (left), a freshman at NMRHS takes a moment to sign the Mother's Day Pledge with Kyle Provost, a NMHRS graduate and education
volunteer for BWRI. |
A group of young men gather to sign and watch as their friend promises to "never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women." |
Become Part of BWRI's
1000 Strong Women Campaign!
BWRI has launched an exciting campaign entitled “1,000 Strong Women”! This campaign came out of our desire to raise capital for our agency and to create a vehicle to identify women leaders - Strong Women - in the twenty-nine communities that encompass North Central Massachusetts. It is BWRI’s firm belief that a community of women can move mountains and create change. And this area of the state is ready for both!
BWRI offers services to over 6,000 women and children and over 13,000 students in the local school districts each year. While these services are critical, there is so much more that Battered Women’s Resources could be doing if we had the capacity.
The funds raised through the campaign will help build our capacity to serve women and children in all areas of North Central Massachusetts, replenish depleted reserves from two years of budget cuts and start a building fund.
The campaign is designed to promote women leadership within this region and provide an avenue for women to network no matter where they live or what they do. Each community will identify a minimum of 35 women who have taken leadership roles in a variety of professions and situations. After joining the “1,000 Strong Women” campaign, women will receive a pin, membership card, informational material, a list of business discounts, an invitation to women’s leadership lecture series and a networking directory. The agency is still discussing other ways for everyone to benefit from the membership.
For more information, go to 1000 Strong Women
