Prepare offers comprehensive violence prevention training and personal safety programs. In all our programs, we situate violence in the social and cultural context within which it exists. Along with the broad spectrum of curriculum we offer, we support the work of others in the anti-violence community. Our primary prevention programs work to change beliefs and behaviors before they lead to violence: health and life skills education, anti-bias and anti-bullying programs, and social and emotional learning fundamentals. We are best known for our secondary prevention self-defense and personal safety courses which feature the suited instructor: IMPACT Basics and Prepare classes for kids and teens. Our classes empower individuals to lead their lives fully, with the confidence that they have the tools to better manage what life brings their way.
Like many women, I grew up hearing messages from my family, peers, media, and others about how to keep myself safe. So much of the advice focused on restrictions and what not to do. Don’t go walking late at night. Don’t go places alone. Don’t go to parties or drink alcohol. Don’t wear a short skirt. Don’t go to the city. Don’t wear headphones because that might distract you. Don’t put your hair in a ponytail because it’s easy to grab. Don’t, don’t, don’t. But I was born with the wanderlust gene – I wouldn’t be content staying in my small hometown. I had a deep desire to travel and see the world, explore big cities, and learn foreign languages,…