NEW: YWCA to Host Annual Daybreak Breakfast at Holy Cross

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

GoLocalWorcester News Team

On October 1 the YWCA of Central Massachusetts kicks off Domestic Violence Awareness Month with its annual Daybreak Breakfast at the College of the Holy Cross Hogan Campus Center. The event benefits the Domestic Violence Services program at the YWCA and is intended to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence and to engage others in promoting healthy relationships.

The theme for this year’s Daybreak Breakfast is “Voices in Action.” According to the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, the theme is designed to encourage local businesses, community leaders, advocates and concerned citizens to learn how to put their voices into action against domestic violence and in support of those who have been victims of such abuse.

Following this theme , the keynote speaker at the event is actress Lisa Regina, who is herself a survivor of domestic violence at the hands of her former fiancé, Soprano's actor Vincent Pastore. She is the founder of A Write to Heal, Inc. a non-profit organization that utilizes the power of words and voices through writing, performance, and filmmaking exercises. She also performs an educational stage performance entitled A Write to Heal, containing a collection of monologues, poems, and music developed from the true stories of victims of domestic violence.

In addition, the YWCA will be presenting the Great Guys Award at the Breakfast. The YWCA of Central Massachusetts’ created The Great Guy Award in 2004 to recognize the outstanding contributions of men in the Central Massachusetts community who have been inspired to learn and better understand the issue of domestic violence, and who have demonstrated their commitment to end violence against women and children. This year’s Great Guys are Dr. Robert Antonucci, President of Fitchburg State University, and Lyonel Jean-Pierre, Staff Attorney, Community Legal Aid.

The breakfast will take place from 8-9:15 am. For more information about the YWCA click here.