Making history

NYOFACE held it's first forum centered around Domestic and Teen Dating Violence.

Friday -July 18, 2014 citizens gathered at the UTA Sweet Center to begin an outreach and education project to advocate for Family Peace. Leading Domestic Violence expert Carolyn Russell of Carolyn Russell Associates spoke about the historic event which launched a teen peace advocacy and education program in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Arlington area. Russell, a national expert involved in creation of policy at the National Center for Domestic Violence in Chicago. She is a premier speaker and member of the Californian Partnership to End Domestic Violence. Russell is currently working at National level on creating a multicultural culturally competent model of peace making that does not divide, stereotype, or alienate groups based on gender, race, sexual preference, or religious belief. She has created Real Talk and Breaking the Chain content for various providers nationwide.

In addition to highlighting the history of the Family Peace Making Initiative, Russell spoke about the history of DV touching on points of interest for faith based, gender based, and advocates. Teaching the group about the various methods of teaching peacemaking within the family through the human growth and development cycle Russell wowed the audience telling them that the lessons of family peace begin with elementary children who are taught basics of respect for others.  Viewed through the lenses of Russell’s culturally competent model she stated that “Where “Domestic Violence “ has been thought to be for women often  alienating men, youth and the LGBT community, “Family Peace Making “is for everyone”. Everyone in the Family needs to be vigilant about insuring the peace and safety of family members knowing where to go for help is the first big step for many.

Russell praised NYOFACE for its outreach efforts. “Everyone should be willing to get in involved in raising awareness and supplying information about community resources”.  Russell ended the evening by obtaining pledges from participants to hold an education and outreach event.   The group chose to produce a Family Peace Walk.  “Happy Feet for Family Peace” walk being fiscally sponsored by the Lee Arthur Johnson Center will be October 11, 2014 prior to the NYOFACE Awards Gala October 12, 2014. Donations, Pledges, and Volunteers are needed. Please feel free Make your tax deductable donation here. For more information click this link or email drreinedeciel@nyoface.org.

Saturday saw a group of fashion enthusiasts gathered for fashion and art in support of the NYOFACE Project “Stepping Against Teen Dating Violence”. The fashions of AnToni Michelle were radiant and the models including Ms. Plus Size Texas, Kristy Wells each with their own personal motivating story about being touched by violence in the home, worked them with a particular passion for the cause.  We have an exclusive interview with Dallas-Forth Worth’s up and coming LGBT Fashion Icon Mulan on our YouTube channel NYOFACETV after the show.