October Meeting Agenda

Date:             Thursday, October 20, 2005

Time: 8:00 - 8:15 a.m.           Networking

                     8:15 - 8:30 a.m.           Business Meeting

                     8:30 - 9:30 a.m.           Program

Place:            Alpert Jewish Community Center

                 3801 E. Willow Street, Long Beach, CA 90815
                            Click to see a map

Program:       Domestic Violence Prevention Advocates: The Difference We Make

Speaker:        Bernita R. Walker

Have you ever been frustrated when working with victims of domestic violence?  Ever feel that your experience doesn't mean a whole lot when trying to help someone?  Well, you're not alone!  You do make a difference!   Join us as we recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and find out how & why YOU are so important.

 Bernita R. Walker is the co-founder and earthly director of Project: PeaceMakers, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing support services for victims of Domestic/Family Violence in South Los Angeles.  She directs a staff of 16, providing a variety of services including individual counseling, group counseling, parenting, anger management and job referral assistance.  The agency coordinates Domestic Abuse Response Teams at LAPD's 77th and Newton Police Divisions, conflict resolution/anger management education on the campus of two local middle schools, and “Points of Engagement” for the Department of Children and Family Services. 

 Ms. Walker, a survivor herself, has been a violence prevention practitioner for over 25 years.  Ms. Walker is the co-founder of Jenesse Center, a domestic violence shelter in the City of Los Angeles.  She serves on the L.A. County Domestic Violence Council as the co-chair for the Religion & Domestic Violence Task Force.  Ms. Walker has facilitated over 1000 workshops concerning domestic violence prevention and education.  Each year she graduates some 70 DV advocates through the 40-hour state-mandated training.  Ms. Walker serves on the faculties of The Role of Men Program of the Long Beach Health Department, the UCLA Harbor-General Nurse Practitioners Program and the Association of Batterers Intervention Programs.

Opinions expressed are those of the speaker and not necessarily those of the Council and its membership.

For more information, please contact Program Chair:

Maren Founds at (949) 433-3849 or email marenfounds@yahoo.com