BY KALEEN LUU
The East Los Angeles Women’s Center is holding a series of workshops in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is celebrated in October.
The upcoming events for this month include a variety of discussions and sessions to bring awareness to domestic violence and understanding the impact it has on families.
“Unhealthy vs Healthy Relationships” is being held today and on Oct. 17 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in F5-211.
It will focus on educating youth to identify the warning signs in unhealthy relationships and the dangers of these cycles.
The importance of establishing boundaries will be outlined as well as the significance of consent.
This will be facilitated by Boyle Heights Project coordinator Hilda Franco and youth organizer Karla Ortiz.
“Domestic Violence 101” will be held on Oct. 16 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in F5-211.
This workshop will help attendees understand domestic violence and its effects on family dynamic.
Therapists Michelle Perez and Alice Ovando-Lopez will be present to demonstrate ways to seek support and find help.
“HIV: Prevention, Risk Reduction, Navigation and Tools for Safer Sex” will be held Oct. 17 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in F5-209.
It will be an interactive workshop about HIV prevention.
Lead health educator and HIV counselor Alejandra Aguilar will facilitate. The session will include information on PEP and PrEP, the newest methods to prevent HIV.
“Engaging Boys and Men to End Domestic Violence” will be on Oct. 18 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in E3-173.
It will be facilitated by prevention specialist Ozzie Cruz and outreach advocate Luis Mendoza.
The workshop will discuss how men and boys are a crucial part of the solution to end domestic violence.
“Introduction to Empowerment Self-Defense” will be held on Oct. 22 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in F5-209.
Attendees can learn verbal, mental and physical skills for violence prevention and methods for de-escalation.
Facilitators Brittany Martinez, therapist, and youth organizer Karla Ortiz will help people build assertiveness, set boundaries and learn to rely on instincts for interpersonal safety.
“Human Trafficking: Connecting to Domestic Violence” will be held on Oct. 23 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in F5-209.
It will focus on exploration of the different types of abuse: mental, physical and emotional.
Human trafficking specialist Lisa Vargas will discuss how human trafficking, sexual exploitation and survival sex is connected with violence and the significance of economic abuse.
“Trauma and Interpersonal Violence in the LGBT Community” will be held on Oct. 30 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in F5-201.
It will be presented by APLA Health guest speakers Lydia Szamraj, L.M.F.T., intern program coordinator and Pedro Mendez, L.C.S.W., behavioral health specialist.
Attendees can expect to learn about interpersonal violence in the LGBT community.
These workshops will provide attendees with information on domestic violence and empower youth to cultivate healthy relationships.
They are open to all and walk-ins are welcome but contact and RSVP to Arlene Torres at (323) 780-6754 or atorres@elawc.org.
