Joining Forces Through National Youth Violence Prevention Week

Saint Louis, MO, April 02, 2008 --(PR.com)-- This week organizations across the country are participating in an educational and awareness event that highlights the role students can play in making their schools and communities safer. In addition to promoting various violence prevention strategies, National Youth Violence Prevention Week, which is being held this week March 31 - April 4, 2008, will provide a unique opportunity for people of all ages and walks of life to join forces to address this crucial issue.

Since founding the event, GuidanceChannel.com and National SAVE have been helping various associations to connect and collaborate through the initiative. The coalition has expanded enormously over the last 3 years. Thousands of students are taking part through associations such as FCCLA's Stop The Violence, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY), and the National Peer Helpers Association. Mental health professionals are involved through the National Association Of School Psychologists, and the American Counseling Association. The campaign is also facilitating interagency collaboration among violence prevention programs and agencies throughout the country. National leadership is also coming from organizations such as the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, National School Safety Center, National Dropout Prevention Center, and the Help Increase the Peace Program (HIPP) of the American Friends Service Committee. By facilitating a dialogue among the country's top violence prevention advocates, the National Youth Violence Prevention Campaign is creating a national roundtable to address this important issue.

Thursday’s, April 3rd, focus will be on “Supporting Safety.” In recognition of this day, local advocates – Executive Defense Technology and the South County YMCA, would like you to help them support their efforts in educating our youth in “Modeling Safety.”

The “Modeling Safety” Seminar will take place Friday, April 11th, 2008 at the South County YMCA from 6 – 9:30 pm. The entrance fee is $15 per person with a portion of the evening’s proceeds going to benefit the local Backstopper’s foundation.

The events of the evening will begin with a fashion show being hosted by David’s Bridal and will then proceed with an “Open House” type setting with a variety of exceptional speakers covering subjects such as drinking and driving, self defense, what to do when you find yourself in a violent situation, healthy dating choices, learning to deal with anger management issues, online internet safety, healthy eating habits and suicide prevention.

Helping teens make good, nonviolent choices today, will not only have immediate benefits but will help our communities in the future as they grow into adulthood and join our work force. These programs are geared at "arming" our teens with the confidence and skills they need to reduce risks and avoid dangerous situations. The lessons we teach and enforce will be life long and will effect us all.

Executive Defense Technology is a leader in Personal Safety Education. Executive Defense Technology is committed to offering the highest quality informational seminars, and advocates a wide range of issues affecting employers, women and their families. Executive Defense Technology believes that with education now, we can change the outlook of our future so our children won't have to be afraid of their environment. They won't have to be afraid to walk on a college campus or run through a local park by themselves. Prevention and education today are the key to changes in the years to come.

For more information, contact Kimberly Elliott at 314-894-1148; cell at 314-540-6625; kelliott@execdeftech.com

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