YMCA HB working to protect our youth from violence

Monday, 31 October 2011, 1:52 pm
Press Release: YMCA

31 October 2011

YMCA HB working to protect our youth from violence

Leaders of organisations working with youth in Hawke’s Bay will come together next month at a breakfast networking event designed to encourage more collaboration between them and to raise awareness of relationship abuse issues facing young people.

YMCA Hawke’s Bay has invited more than 200 people who manage youth services in the region to attend the breakfast presentation by Lynda Kearns, which will be held at Quayside Restaurant in Napier on Friday 11 November.

Ms Kearns, a Barrister specialising in Family Law, will address the gathering on her two decades of work dealing with domestic violence cases and how she is working with young people, educating them to recognise the signs of abuse.

She will outline why and how, working with Lesley Elliot, mother of murder victim Sophie Elliot and recently named as New Zealand Woman of the Year recently, she has created a programme aimed at preventing violence rather than dealing with the aftermath.

YMCA Hawke’s Bay Board President, Eileen von Dadelszen says violence is a major issue facing our youth and organisations need to strengthen and develop their networks to more effectively meet the needs of children in the community.

“We know there a many other programmes and initiatives having positive impact in the lives of young people in our community but we felt there is a need for better communication between organisations who are all working in the same field. Our desire is to do something constructive to address it,” says Mrs von Dadelszen.

The breakfast, being chaired by Barbara Arnott, Mayor of Napier, is being sponsored by YMCA Hawke’s Bay and is supported by GEON Print. Tickets are $30 with $5 from every ticket sold donated to White Ribbon Day, a national campaign to end violence against women. Ric Odem, national chief executive for YMCA, and a White Ribbon Ambassador, will also be speaking at the breakfast.

YMCA Hawke’s Bay breakfast presentation
Friday 11 November 2011 7am – 9am
Quayside Restaurant, 10 West Quay, Napier

ENDS

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