The public is invited to examine the topic, “Ending the Culture of Violence - Hearing the Youth Perspective.” Those concerned about recent current events, and who desire to learn about what our local youth are doing can attend a meeting Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m., in the Royal Oaks Room of the Medical Arts Building at the corner of H and Ash in Oakdale. This event is the second in a series of four meetings planned and sponsored by the local American Association of University Women, Oakdale Riverbank and Escalon Branch (AAUW ORE), as a follow-up to their successful March 19, 2015, meeting held to address the multi-faceted problem of violence currently experienced in our culture today.
Debbie Soro Adair, a teacher at Enochs High School in Modesto will be the guest speaker along with a number of students participating in the Healthy and Responsible Relationships Troupe, or HARRT for short. This student led group was established in 2014 at Enochs High School, and is co-facilitated by Soro Adair, and Holly Grace Palmer of The Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus County.
“Initially over 40 students were recommended to be participants in Adolescent Relationship Abuse Awareness program (ARAA), but only 16 were chosen to participate,” Soro Adair said.
This select group of students, as part of their training, attended a conference held in Oakland over the summer. This committed group of students meets every week and they are currently being trained in conflict resolution and peer conflict mediation.
Soro Adair added that during this meeting, “In addition to learning about what they are doing at school and in the community, the students will also be presenting a lesson on their approach to ending the cycle of violence, by identifying the differences between unhealthy and healthy relationships.”
This lesson mirrors the work they have presented to over 300 freshman students during the fall student orientation at Enochs.
Those living in Oakdale, Riverbank, or Escalon, who would like more information about this program or the local AAUW ORE branch, should call Co-President Pam Wright at 209-988-1369.
