“Seeking Knowledge and Justice” - A Success!

In the winter of 2009, a brainstorming session occurred between R. David Coolidge, Associate Muslim Chaplain at Brown University and Healthy Families Initiative member, Kathleen Taylor, founder of Healthy Families Initiatives, Katherine Wilson, and Jamilah White, both Healthy Families Initiatives members. This meeting facilitated a laws based seminar.

On April 10th, 2010, The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV), Healthy Families Initiatives, and The Office of Chaplains and Religious Life at Brown University held the seminar, “Seeking Knowledge and Justice”.

Lucy Rios, Director of Prevention and Anayra Garcia, Office Manager at RICADV, conducted the seminar focusing on domestic violence laws in the state of Rhode Island. Not only did they thoroughly address the crimes associated with domestic violence, they also provided valuable information regarding the court system, outreach, and resources. Attendees were able to ask questions, clarify any concerns or misconceptions, as well as to understand the roles each person can play in ending domestic violence. Further, all attendees were given a booklet with statutes, bills, Rhode Island statistics, resources, and other information included in the seminar.

Attendees discussed how to apply new ideas and resources to solidify their roles in the community. Further, all three organizations expressed their excitement in the partnership as well as the possibilites for the future.