Oct. 25, 2023 By Bill Parry
Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers will host “Fight Back,” a self-defense training class offering instruction to community members on how to defend themselves against domestic violence Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Far Rockaway YMCA in Arverne.
Members of the NYPD will demonstrate physical techniques that can be used to repel and escape violent assaults beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 207 Beach 73rd St. This event is free and open to the public.
“Far too many community members endure domestic violence every day,” Brooks-Powers said. “I am proud to co-sponsor this event, which will help empower survivors to resist incidents of violence. I look forward to standing in solidarity with those victimized by domestic violence
alongside with community-based organizations and colleagues in government.”
Several non-profit organizations that provide vital aid to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and receive discretionary funding from the City Council will be present at the event, including LGBT Network, the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, the Center for Family Representation, the Jewish Board for Family and Children’s Services and Queens Defenders.
“Funding allocated by the council member through the DOVE initiative allows Queens Defenders staff to connect with individuals and families impacted by domestic violence to provide life-saving emergency intervention, community education and restorative services that are intended to promote healing and support for the individuals and communities we serve,” Queens Defenders Executive Director and Founder Lori Zeno said. “Thousands of Queens residents have been positively impacted through the DOVE initiative as a result of the partnership with Council Member Brooks-Powers and Safe Horizon since we began providing this program.”
LGBT Network president and founder Dr. David Kilmnick called Brooks-Powers a champion for the rights and safety of the LGBT community.
“Her leadership and advocacy have helped us fight against domestic violence, which affects people of all genders and sexual orientations,” Kilmnick said. “We thank Council Member Brooks-Powers for her courage and compassion and for always standing with us in solidarity.”
Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula Executive Director Allison Deal agreed.
“JCCRP is grateful to the Council Member’s continuous support for services in the Rockaways for domestic abuse,” Deal said. “Unfortunately, there is an ongoing need for awareness and services for individuals facing this challenging situation. JCCRP is here to offer services to those who need it the most.”
Tehra Coles, the executive director of the Center for Family Representation (CFR), said she is proud to partner with Brooks-Powers to support and empower survivors of intimate partner violence.
“CFR is able to offer interdisciplinary legal and social work representation to parents being investigated and prosecuted by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), 17% of whom identify as survivors of intimate partner violence,” Coles said. “Providing survivors with the necessary resources – including wrap around family and criminal defense, housing and public assistance and immigration services – improves stability for families and averts unnecessary family separation.”