The Week Without Violence® is an annual YWCA-wide campaign held during the third week of October to raise public awareness about violence in our homes and our communities; to create dialogue; and to encourage alternatives. For over 100 years, the YWCA of Silicon Valley has been at the forefront of Santa Clara County in supporting a safer community through education that provides women, children, and families with opportunities for positive growth and achievement.

Youth Services Department:
Monday: Students will learn about the history of A Week Without Violence®.With group discussions of situations where they exprienced or witnessed violence and how it impacted their life.
Tuesday: Students will start a three day session on "Teen Empowerment" and a guest speaker will talk to the students about 'Date Rape'.
Wednesday: The second session of "Teen Empowerment" where a guest speaker will discuss 'Dating Violence' with the students.
Thursday: The third session of "Teen Empowerment" where another guest speaker will talk about 'Sexual Harrasment'.
Friday: Students will engage with a guest speaker on 'Gang Violence'.

Counseling Department:
Will be promoting non-violent conflict resolution with all clients

Rape Crisis Center:
Will be recognizing A Week Without Violence®in two ways:
1. Providing 17 rape prevention workshops around Santa Clara County.
2. Victims of sexual assault are painting their stories and feelings on t-shirts for our "Clothesline Project". The Clothesline Project is a national clothesline that moves about the country. After our shirts hang at the YWCA for the week we will forward them to join the national project.

Child Care Centers:
The children will be drawing pictures of what they would like the world to look like when people are not fighting. They will make globes out of handprints, share their feelings at circle time and read books about "being nice to our friends", "teasing is not nice", and "accepting people's differences".

Family Services:
This department will be providing a safe place where children can spend time with their non-custodial parents without fear of violence and will educate parents on non-violent discipline and positive parenting techniques.
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We are not going to tolerate another woman or girl becoming a victim of violence. This year, the YWCA is also reaching out locally and nationally through innovative mediums to share our message with students, parents, educators, legislators and everyone in between to let them know that they can take a stand against violence.

Peace Tree Planting Ceremony
Thank you for joining YWCA staff, supporters, and advocates on Thursday, October 18th, 2007 for the planting of our Peace Tree in Discovery Meadow. Planted with the assistance of the San Jose Parks Services and Our City Forest, the Peace Tree commemorates our community members that have experienced violence and will serve as a place of peaceful contemplation for survivors of violence and their advocates.

Here is what some of our programs do to support a Week Without Violence

Counseling Center
The YWCA of Silicon Valley Counseling Center distributed "10 Tips to Expressing Healthy Anger". Click here for a downloadable mini-poster.

Child Care Centers:
Monday: Children, families, and staff signed the non-violence pledge and received purple ribbons to wear in support during the week.

Tuesday: Children were encouraged to evaluate the “Violence Quotient” with discussion of common media messaging. Materials included age-appropriate TV programs, songs, ad campaigns, etc.

Wednesday: Children worked with clay, paint, and other raw materials to find new ways to release angry feelings.

Thursday: Children exercised Random Acts of Kindness. Centers were provided a copy of “Random Acts of Kindness for Kids” to read to the children through out the week. Each act of kindness earned children points toward prizes.

Friday: Each center participated in “Up, Up, and Away with Violence.” Centers released balloons with kind words. In addition, children participated in other events such as kite flying, blowing through straws to race boats, etc.

Family Services Center:

• Information on violence prevention, including domestic violence was distributed in our workshops.
• Workshop participants discussed the role of parents
  in violence prevention and received our Parenting Tips handout.
• Wednesday Supervised Visitation monitors and facilitators
  attended a training on Domestic Violence from Next Door Solutions.
  

Youth Services Program:
Monday: Stopping Racism at Its Track
The week started with a short introduction on the history and purpose of the YWCA Week without Violence. Emphasis was placed on the issues of racism and stereotypes. Students discussed how to recognize and eliminate racism and stereotypes from their lives.

Tuesday: Dating Violence (Date Rape)
Students discussed and became educated on the difficult topic of sexual assault. Rights, gender roles, stereotypes, and forms of assault were discussed. Students learned the dynamics of sexual assault and will better understand how to help themselves and each other if they are a victim of sexual violence.

Wednesday: Gang Violence
Students learned about gang violence and how it effects them. Discussion included understanding the consequences of joining gangs and how to prevent gang involvement.

Thursday: Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships.
A workshop was provided to assist students in understanding the components of an abusive relationship. Aspects of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships were examined. The cycle of violence was reviewed, as well as why individuals remain in an abusive relationship. Discussion included how to leave an abusive relationship, as well as how to help yourself or a friend to leave an abusive situation.

Friday: The Media and Violence
The influence of violence in all aspects of popular media and how media related violence impacts youth was discussed. Our students became more aware of the violence they view in movies, TV, video games, etc., and how it may impact their lives.