YWCA of Northwest Ohio is partnering with Toledo Public Schools to launch its AMEND Together program at Jones Leadership Academy for eighth grade males.
The AMEND Together program is a violence prevention initiative aimed at ending violence against women and girls by engaging men and boys to be part of the solution.
Community benefits include an increased knowledge of healthy relationships and a better understanding of gender stereotypes that directly correlate to a reduction of violence against women and girls. The program will run for the entire school year and will be delivered in a club setting during the school day.
Jones Leadership Academy will host the pilot program with hopes that it will be offered at other schools at a later date.
“We know that one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime and 15.5 million children are affected by domestic violence. We want to help stop the cycle before it begins by helping educate young males how to respect women and girls,” said Karyn McConnell, vice president of the YWCA of Northwest Ohio.
Volunteers are sought to be AMEND Together ambassadors. Applicants should be prominent members of the Toledo community who lend their influence and expertise to achieve AMEND Together’s strategic goals. Ambassadors will work with the AMEND Team on strategic planning, fund-raising, outreach and events.
Volunteers must be age 18 or older.
For more information about becoming an ambassador, contact one of the following individuals: Dr. Ward Barnett, principal, Jones Leadership Academy, 419671-5400; Karyn McConnell, vice president, YWCA, 419--241-3235, or Heather Baker, executive director of student intervention and support, Toledo Public Schools, 419671-0001.
