Great Falls College MSU hosts third annual NoMore Violence Week

GREAT FALLS – Domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking and drug addictions are problems that many in our community face, but at the same time, many others aren’t aware these problems exist.
NoMore Violence Week, which will be held April 3-9, aims to spread awareness of these issues in an effort to find solutions to them.

“The more informed people are and the more aware they are, the more we can work on prevention,” said Dr. Cherie McKeever, science instructor at Great Falls College MSU and organizer of NoMore Violence Week.

Now in its third year, NoMore Violence Week offers seven days of community presentations, symposiums and panel discussions. Continuing education credits are available for some presentations. The week ends with a 1-mile and 5K Kolor Me 4 Kids Fun Run. All events, except the Fun Run, are free and open to the public. The Fun Run is $25 per person. Kids 10 and younger are free.

NoMore Violence Week is a community effort. More than 20 different community-based organizations that focus on issues ranging from child abuse to health to education work to make the event happen.

The week serves as a great opportunity for community organizations to come together.

“The networking that has gone on in the past has been phenomenal,” McKeever said. “It’s amazing when you get people together what can happen.”

This is an important event for GFC MSU to host. McKeever has seen how domestic violence affects her students.

Over the last four years, three of her students’ children have died from abuse.

“Many of our students are faced with abuse and violence and are still trying to go to school to improve their lives and their children’s lives,” McKeever said.

McKeever started thinking about ways to help her students and others in the community who deal with domestic violence. The result is NoMore Violence Week, now in its third year.

Some highlights of this year’s NoMore Violence Week include a keynote address by Gov. Steve Bullock and a presentation on human trafficking by Montana Attorney General Tim Fox. Tracy DeTomasi, vice president of Domestic Violence Services for YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee, will discuss what men can do to prevent sexual assault. Courtney Bailey, a mental health clinician with the Child Witness to Violence Project at Boston Medical Center, will provide training on the impacts of violence exposure on young children, vicarious trauma and trauma-informed care. Special sessions for parents will focus on cyberbullying, suicide and what parents should know to protect their children from human trafficking.

For more information or to see the full schedule of events visit facebook.com/pg/NoMoreViolence2016GFC/events/.

For more information or interviews, contact:

Erin Granger
Marketing Specialist
406.771.4314
[email protected]

Dr. Cherie McKeever
Science instructor, Great Falls College MSU
406.771.4407
[email protected]

NoMore Violence Week

April 3-9, 2017

All events are held at Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave. S. and are free and open to the public, except the Kolor Me 4 Kids Fun Run

Monday, April 3

• 9 a.m. – Pin Wheel Planting for Child Abuse Prevention Month on the campus lawn with Sunnyside Elementary School.
• Trauma Stewardship: Self Defense and Self Care
  • 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Chair massage, table massage, and Reiki therapy/energy therapy will be offered.
  • 6-6:30 p.m. – Compassion with Boundaries: Helping People who have Experienced Trauma(s).
  • 6:40-7:30 p.m. – Self Defense: An interactive presentation that will cover everything from personal boundaries to physical moves to protect yourself.
  • 7:40-8:30 p.m. – Self Care: Presented by Kelly Hinrichs and Lisa Botti on why self-care is not an indulgence.

Tuesday, April 4

• 10:30 a.m. – Keynote address from Governor Steve Bullock who will give an update on Legislative bills that deal with child abuse and sexual assault. Heritage Hall.
• Noon – Dr. Ostin Warren from Great Falls Vet Center will discuss Sex and Porn Addiction: The Link to Violence.
• 6:30 -8 p.m. – A presentation for parents from Deliver Fund, titled “Human Trafficking in Montana – What Parents Should Know to Protect Their Children.”

Wednesday, April 5

• Noon – Montana Attorney General Tim Fox will give a presentation titled, “Human Trafficking: Out of the Shadows.” Lunch served.
• 2–3 p.m. – Jessica Lahr of the Montana Coalition against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault will give a training on responding to and preventing domestic violence, including recent policy changes.
• 6:30 – 8:00 pm– Tracy DeTomasi, vice president of Domestic Violence Services for YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee, will give a presentation titled “A Culture of Violence: How Men Can Promote Change and Influence Others to End Violence Against Women.” YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee’s MEND works to end violence against women by engaging and educating men.

Thursday, April 6

• Noon – District Court Judge Greg Pinski and Andrea Fisher will present “The Impact of Addiction on Great Falls Families,” including a panel discussion and Q&A session. Lunch served.
• 6:30 – 8 p.m. – Cyberbullying and Suicide Prevention: Our Local Response

Friday, April 7

• Noon – Benefis NICU nurse Nikki Phillips, RN, BSN, will discuss drug addiction in newborns. “Effects of Addiction at Birth: Facts and Stories from NICU.” Lunch served.

Saturday, April 8
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Courtney Bailey, a mental health clinician with the Child Witness to Violence Project at Boston Medical Center, will present the “Impact of Violence on Children and their Families,” with remarks from local legal counsel and a panel presentation addressing steps we can take locally to combat this public health issue.

Sunday, April 9 – Kolor Me 4 Kids Fun Run and Fundraiser (1 mile and 5K color run) Sponsored by Great Falls College MSU, University of Great Falls and the Dandelion Foundation.

• 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Registration at Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave. S.
• 1:30 p.m. Race – 5K will lead off, followed shortly thereafter by the 1 mile. Courses will include both Great Falls College and University of Great Falls’ campuses.
• Preregister at www.active.com (search for Kolor Me 4 Kids) for free event t-shirt and color packet.
• Kids 10 and under are free!