Domestic violence affects everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or educational background.

This project directly funds two Becky’s Fund youth initiatives: the “Becoming Your Own Heroine: Lessons in Self-Empowerment and Dating Violence” and the “Young Men’s Mentorship Program”. Targeting the highest risk youths in the D.C. metro area, the initiatives provide participants with education about dating and domestic violence. As a result, youth have the tools to create healthy, productive relationships, and learn how to teach others by example about conflict resolution, allowing them to build lasting and healthy relationships for the future.

Sign Up Today: (http://citizeneffect.org/yogachallenge)

Recent statistics show that at least 1 in 3 teens have experienced dating violence.  Specifically in the D.C. area, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that, “Up to 15 teenagers per month seek help in the Domestic Violence Intake Center (DVIC) in the D.C. Superior Court. About half of those teens have at least one child in common with their batterer.”
Intimate partner violence looks much different than it did 10 years ago - with cell phones, texting, Facebook and twitter it has become much easier for youth to not respect privacy and individual boundaries, to stalk and harass their peers and to create controlling and abusive relationships. A recent MTV / AP study revealed that more than 25% of teens have had a girlfriend or boyfriend check their text messages without their permission. 

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Direct Impact of Your Project

All funds raised through the 2011 Yoga Challenge will go directly to Becky’s Fund and used for the materials (e.g. binders, markers) for the “Becoming Your Own Heroine” program and tickets for outings (e.g. bowling, baseball) for the “Young Men’s Mentorship” program.

$2,000 allows 150 female youth to participate in the “Becoming Your Own Heroine” program, and $3,600 allows 15 young men will be partnered with 15 mentors on the “Young Men’s Mentorship” program.

The 2011 Yoga Challenge aims to raise $20,000. While the balance between the two programs may change based on demand, the goal is for the Yoga Challenge to fund 3 “Becoming Your Own Heroine” programs and 4 “Young Men’s Mentorship” programs in 2011. This will directly impacting more than 500 youth in the D.C. area. Any additional funds raised will go directly to Becky’s Fund to fund additional programs.

Extended Impact on Your Partner Community

In addition to the 500 direct beneficiaries, the programs have the following indirect beneficiaries:
- Young women who participate in the program have the knowledge and language to engage in conversations with their peers about violence, how to stop it, prevent it, and how to have healthy relationships
- Young men learn from example how to lead positive lives and in turn, become role models themselves and leaders in their own peer groups, standing up to speak out against dating violence and creating dialogue about positive futures and accountability