(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) – Challenge. Cultivate. Change. This is the message hundreds of men and women will hear at the AMEND Experience on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Bridgestone Arena. The annual YWCA event is focused on teaching healthy masculinity and violence prevention to those who work with and can influence Nashville’s youth. They are leaders in the business, religious, education, and community sectors. The AMEND Experience is FREE and will also celebrate those who are making an impact in the community, including Nashville Predators President and CEO Sean Henry.
“Our goal is simple—make Smashville the safest city in America for women and girls,” said Henry. “We are proud to be a part of AMEND and do whatever it takes to raise awareness on the epidemic of violence against women. As men become more aware of the astonishing rates of abuse, they will quickly want to join the efforts of AMEND to positively affect our young men, hastening the time it will take to reach our ultimate goal!”
Henry will be joined by other community and business leaders for educational sessions and panel discussions during the two-hour event. Dwight Hollier, former Miami Dolphin and current the Vice President of Wellness and Clinical Services for the NFL is the event’s keynote speaker. Hollier is part of an expert group that delivered the NFL’s Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Education sessions to all 32 NFL clubs and NFL entities. He is also one of the featured faces/voices in the national NO MORE anti-domestic violence campaign.
“As we head into Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the AMEND Experience reminds us that we must challenge societal values that support violence against women,” said YWCA President and CEO Sharon K. Roberson. “We want to cultivate our youth so they respect women and girls and change the culture that currently allows one in four women to become victims of domestic violence and one in five to be sexually assaulted in college. The YWCA is dedicated to keeping women and girls safe, and the first step is prevention.”
The AMEND Experience is a FREE event, but registration is required. Visit the YWCA website to register. Breakfast service begins at 7:30 a.m. and the event program runs from 8 – 10 a.m.
The AMEND Experience event sponsors include the Nashville Predators, Allstate Foundation, Bank of America, and Verizon.
About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee: For 119 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives.
YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc., AMEND Together, j k livin, Dress for Success Nashville, and the Family Literacy Center.
For more information, visit www.ywcanashville.com, follow us on twitter @YWCANashville and find us on Facebook facebook.com/YWCANashville.
