Base partners with community to bring awareness to problem of domestic violence Published Sept. 25, 2007 By Susan M. Barone 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE -- Domestic violence jeopardizes more than just the victim, according to those organizing "A Call to Men," a workshop that will take place in observance of October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month. "Violence against women affects us all - men and women, individuals and families, neighbors and citizens," said Derry McCurdy, program manager for Federal Women's Program at Aeronautical Systems Center, one of the workshop's sponsors. "It jeopardizes our health, safety and economy." Collaborating together, the sexual assault response program, the family advocacy program, the FWP and the Miami Valley Chapter of Federally Employed Women will sponsor the workshop that will run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 13, featuring motivational speaker Tony Porter. "Mr. Porter is an educator, activist and co-founder of "A Call to Men: National Association of Men and Women Committed to Ending Violence Against Women," McCurdy said. This event is one of five featuring Porter, which was made possible because of community support, according to Simone Koram, sexual assault response coordinator at Wright-Patterson AFB. Koram said staff at the Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence in downtown Dayton thought of Wright-Patterson when they began efforts to bring Porter to Dayton. They went out to get the community involved, especially social service agencies, in order to raise funds to bring him here. "The community is very excited about this," said Koram. "This is a true testimony to (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's) partnership with the off-base community. They thought about us and contacted Carmen (Schott) with family advocacy because they work very closely together." Schott, the outreach manager for the base family advocacy program, said Artemis Center officials arranged for Porter to come to Wright-Patterson for a one-day workshop as a result of the base's sponsorship. Porter will do other events during the week in downtown Dayton. The base workshop is the last and major event out of five he will do. The free events that are open to the public are as follows: -- 7:15 p.m. Oct. 10: Free interfaith event at Omega Baptist Church, Harvard Campus, 1810 Harvard Boulevard, Dayton. -- 6 p.m. Oct. 11: Community event with host Carl Day, WDTN TV-2, at Masonic Temple, 525 West Riverview Avenue, Dayton, Ohio. A professional in-service also is planned for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Masonic Temple; however, there is a registration fee for this event. For more information on these community events listed, call Susan Gottschalk at (937) 531-5715. Seating for the base's Oct. 13 workshop is limited to 200, and registration is necessary. Col. James Strickler, 88th Air Base Wing vice commander, will provide the introduction and welcome for the event. "What a great opportunity this is for Team Wright-Patt," he said. "I highly encourage Airmen, military and civilian, to register for this event before seats fill up." McCurdy said some of the outcomes she hopes will come about for those attending "A Call to Men" are: -- A better understanding of the root causes of men's violence against women -- Practical advice for raising our children and challenging ourselves -- Strategies relevant to our individual professional roles -- Ongoing support for developing programs suitable to our communities or organizations -- A visible network of like-minded allies across Ohio and motivation and skills for being a community catalyst for peaceful relationships "Violence against women won't end until men become part of the solution," Porter said. "The leadership from women is required in order for all of us to be successful." Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of FEW. To register for the workshop, call Carmen Schott at 257-4608 for details.