An afternoon in the park, filled with games, music, snacks, prizes and education booths, will focus on preventing community violence during "A Family Affair: Raising Awareness on Violence in our Community."
The event will be Thursday, July 20, from 4-6 p.m. at Servant's Church Pocket Park, on the corner of Straight and Fulton streets in Grand Rapids.
Nursing students from Grand Valley State University will present information on the prevention of domestic violence, bullying, child abuse, and abuse of the disabled and elderly vulnerable populations. The 36 nursing students and four clinical faculty are clinical based at The Other Way Ministries, Grand Rapids Correction Center, Mount Mercy Senior Apartments, Kent County Disability Advocates and Kent County Health Department.
Music will be provided by A Thousand Plateaus, and a balloon launch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The event will begin the Southwest Neighborhood Organization's initiative to contribute to the national goal to reduce domestic violence. Supporting sponsors include: Children's Assessment Center, Life Guidance Services, Old Country Buffet, Safe Haven Ministries, Stockbridge Business Association, Grand Rapids Weed & Seed, "The Other Way" Ministries, Servant's Community Church, and West Fulton Business Association.
For more information, contact Marilyn C. Vander Werf, assistant professor in the Kirkhof College of Nursing, at (616) 331-7177 or Grand Valley's News and Information Services office at (616) 313-2221.
