Opportunities to Raise Awareness - DVAM

This has been an amazing first half of October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Though it has been a few weeks of constant performances, speaking engagements and opportunities to meet new and interesting people who share a common passion - ending domestic abuse, I have enjoyed every busy minute.
On October 6, John and I presented Control.Assault.Delete at Mesa Community College to a room of about 50-75 students/faculty members. The response was very rewarding and one young lady in particular stands out in my mind, when she cried on my shoulder, saying, "I was your daughter for 4 years." - meaning that she lived Lisa's life for a time, but she got out and now is moving forward to a good life. So many young men and women in the audience came forward to thank us and asked if they could give me a hug.
On October 12, Vickie Florschuetz, Bravery Project, and I spoke to a group of faculty from MCC Red Mountain Campus. Vickie spoke about the importance of raising awareness and the statistics that were reflective of DV on college campuses. I told Lisa's Story and many were moved to tears as I told of her journey through a 9-yr relationship.
We traveled to Yuma to AZ Western College for a performance of Control.Assault.Delete on October 16 in the AZW Theater. Our thanks to Racine Amos for making that possible.
October 18, John and I were at Ft. McDowell for C.A.D, sponsored by the City Prosecutor's Office, and we were met with a warm reception as we told our story through theater.
Lisa's Birthday, October 19 was celebrated at Azusa Pacific University in California. I spoke to 50+ young women that evening. The hugs and tears were freely shared and it was a truly rewarding experience. The Clothesline Project had been in progress for the preceding week and someone had made a T-shirt for Lisa - very sweet gesture and much appreciated.
As an added treat, my ASU Intern from last year, Whitney, drove from LA where she lives now to Azusa to spend the evening with me and the girls from APU. It was wonderful to see her and catch up on her life.
On October 21, we presented C.A.D at the Boy's and Girls Club facility in Apache Junction. This event was put together by Apache Junction Police Chief, Jerald Monahans. Our special thanks to Constance, who was attentive to all our needs. One young woman told me afterwards that she never really understood what she was putting her parents through when she was in a dangerous relationship until that evening.
Now we are looking forward to presenting Domestic Violence, The Musical? in Hobbs, NM on October 29, as a fundraising effort for Sheri's Memorial Fund. Jan Lobeck, Founder, has been working tirelessly with her volunteers and supporters to bring DVTM to the Hobbs community. We can hardly wait to be there.
So, as you can see, DVAM has been a busy time for Fix the Hurt. We love what we are doing and hope that in some small way we can make an impact to save lives and families. Until next month, be safe.