YWCA Rally, Art Contest Against Gun Violence

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by YWCA Tri-County Area.

Each October, YWCAs across the country take part in a global movement, Week Without Violence to raise awareness about the devastating effects of domestic violence across our nation and our world.

This year, YWCA Tri-County Area is focusing on an issue closer to home. 

A shared experience across generations, gun violence has impacted countless members of our community.

YWCA Tri-County Area is hosting a Rally Against Gun Violence for Pottstown coming up on Oct. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. 

We work to raise awareness of the impacts that gun violence has had in our own community, by focusing on those working toward a better, brighter future for generations to come.

Event activities will include: voting for your favorite piece in the Youth Art Contest, engaging with featured speakers, and honoring past victims of gun violence as we march around the block (Light Up the Night).

You can find more information at the YWCA website: www.ywcatricountyarea.org/weekwithoutviolence . 

We hope to see you there!

YWCA Tri-County Area is also hosting a Week Without Violence Art Contest for 5th through 12th graders.

In today’s society there are all forms of violence – whether it be based on a person’s color, age, gender, sexual preference, economic status—the list goes on and on.

Cheyanne, 11th Grade, 2018 1st Place Winner

Help YWCA Tri-County Area (YW3CA) raise awareness of the need to combat discrimination and the violence and hate that comes with it in our community by creating an original piece of artwork. 

The contest this year offers several themes for students to focus artwork on: Indigenous People’s Day, Ending Gun Violence or Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for All.

Here are some rules:

• All artwork must be drawn horizontally (landscape) on plain white 8.5”x11” paper. (Plain copy paper)
• Students may use crayon, watercolor, poster paint, colored pencils, markers or ink. Please do not attach or glue materials that may smear, crack or chip.
• Students must submit individual, independent work.
• Students must submit a 3-4 sentence statement describing their work and why they chose to create the piece they did.
• Only original artwork will be Accepted. Computer- generated drawings will not be considered. Reproduction of popular cartoon characters or three-dimensional work will be disqualified.



Destiny, 12th Grade, 2018 2nd Place Winner

• Art work will not be returned.

Please mail or drop-off artwork to:

YWCA Tri-County Area,
Attn: Kristie Piacine
315 King Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

Submissions postmarked by Friday, Oct. 4th, will be accepted. Submissions deadline is Friday, Oct. 11.

YWCA Hosting Week Without Violence Events

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by YWCA Tri-County Area.

How does violence against women and children impact our community? What resources exist for women and children in our community? What can we do to make positive change?

YWCA Tri-County Area will participate in Week Without Violence, Oct. 16-20, a national YWCA movement raising awareness of the devastating effects of violence in our society. 

As a part of its mission to promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all, YWCA Tri-County Area works to bring communities together to combat violence and injustice.

According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, since 2006 Montgomery County ranks fourth among Pennsylvania counties in fatalities linked to domestic violence.

YWCA Tri-County Area will host a number of activities during Week Without Violence to raise awareness of violence in our community, and of the inequities, biases and “isms” that lead to violence:

• "Persimmon Purse Bingo" from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Norco Fire Company, 144 W. Schuylkill Road, North Coventry will raise awareness and support YWCA's Teen Dating Violence Awareness program, which helps teens learn about healthy relationships, and how to recognize danger signals from their dating partners. The color persimmon reflects the strength and confidence of YWCA. Register here: yw3caBINGO.eventbrite.com
• YW’s Tri-County Area’s Early Education Center will host an open house and informational event from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at 315 King St., Pottstown. Representatives of the Women’s Center of Montgomery County will be on hand to offer information about gender-based violence prevention, support, and resources.
• Young artists are invited to take part in a Youth Art Contest marking Week Without Violence. All youth grades 6-12 in the Tri-County Area are invited to submit original art celebrating YWCA’s mission of promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
• Children from YW’s Early Education Center will take part in a Clothesline Project, a national project founded to raise awareness of violence against women. The children will create T-shirt- shaped posters promoting YWCA’s mission of peace, justice, freedom and dignity.

Artwork from the Youth Art Contest and the Clothesline Project will be displayed at YWCA Tri-County Area during an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at YW’s Early Education Center, 315 King St., Pottstown, and at the Persimmon Purse Bingo event from 6 to 10 p. m. Friday, Oct. 20, at the Norco Fire Company, North Coventry.

YWCA Tri-County Area is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YW3CA is a leader in advocacy for women and girls, works to eliminate racism, and empowers women through quality affordable childcare, adult literacy, and a host of programs to support the health and vitality of women, girls, and families.

No Bully for Them: Pottstown Students Highlight 'Week Without Violence'

From left, Alexandria Olvera from Rupert Elementary, Jasmine Forbes, from Pottstown High School, Aleesa Harvey, from Ringing Rocks Elementary School, Savanna Kerner from Pottstown High School, 
Megan Weller, from Rupert Elementary. 

BLOGGER'S NOTE: Well, FOB (Friend of the Bog) John Armato has done it again, submitted the kind of thing we love to highlight here at the Digital Notebook which which, all too often, we do not have room for in the newspaper. Might have to start paying him part of the salary I make for writing this blog.)

Here's what he wrote:

Recently Pottstown students participated in the annual YWCA Tri-County Area “Week Without Violence” activities.  The campaign is an international initiative organized by YWCAs in more than 30 countries world-wide.  During the week, the YWCA partnered with area school districts to engage students in meaningful violence prevention efforts in their schools and communities.  

This year’s theme for the poster and essay contest was “Take A Stand, Lend A Hand, Stop The Bullying.”  The contest was open to students from all area school districts. 

Rupert Elementary student Alexandria Olvera was selected as the first place winner of the elementary poster contest.  Placing second was Rupert Elementary student Megan Weller.  Pottstown High School students made a clean sweep of the essay contest by capturing first through third place.  Placing first was Savanna Kerner, second place went to Samantha Retner, and third place honors were earned by Jasmine Forbes.

The winners presented their projects at the YWCA Tri-County Area Board of Directors meeting and received a certificate of achievement and gift certificates.  Parents, family, and school personnel were in attendance for the award ceremony.

The YWCA Tri-County Area has been involved with the National Week Without Violence Campaign since its beginning.  

The Racial Justice Committee has conducted the poster and essay contest in schools since 2005.  The support and involvement of schools, community, organizations, politicians, law enforcement agencies, faith groups, and individuals are at the heart of this effort.