• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

The New York Junior League A Race To Erase Domestic Violence

Posted on: Monday, 24 April 2006, 15:00 CDT

NEW YORK, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Junior League (NYJL) in conjunction with New York Road Runners (NYRR), will host the Second Annual New York Junior League Mother's Day Race in Central Park: A Race to Erase Domestic Violence. For the second year, the event is title sponsored by the NYJL; co-presented by LeSportsac and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Tri-State Dealers, who will provide the all-new GL450 SUV as the official pace car of the 5K race. The Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence will be this year's city government participant.

The NYJL seeks to reduce the incidence of domestic abuse by educating the community on the warning signs of domestic violence and on what can be done to keep women and families safe. The Second Annual New York Junior League Mother's Day Race will take place on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14, and will include a Domestic Violence Awareness Pavilion with local domestic violence service providers distributing information about their organizations, services and programs. More than 5,000 participants are expected to attend the event.

"It is up to all of us to address the issue of domestic abuse. If family is the foundation of society, then domestic violence weakens the heart of the community," says Cynthia A. Cathcart, President of the NYJL. "As co-workers, managers, friends and neighbors we have a role to play in erasing domestic violence. There should be coordinated community response, and creating awareness is a huge step in that direction. The NYJL has focused its volunteer efforts on domestic violence since 1993, including working with direct service providers and legislators to support women and children in crisis, and organizing events such as the 'A Race to Erase Domestic Violence' to eradicate violence in the home."

Domestic Violence is a health care problem of epidemic proportions in the United States. Recent studies show that, in addition to the immediate trauma caused by abuse, domestic violence contributes to a number of chronic health problems including depression, alcohol and substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS, and often limits the ability of women to manage other chronic illness such as diabetes and hypertension.

The economic costs of intimate partner violence exceed $5.8 billion each year; $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services. In New York City, police respond to an average of 600 domestic violence incidents each day; the Domestic Violence Hotline receives an average of 400 calls per day. On average each day, over 780 families are housed in domestic violence shelters in New York City.

In light of these alarming statistics, efforts to increase awareness of warning signs, prevention and safety strategies for victims of abuse are an absolute necessity to building a healthy community for women and children in New York City.

Mary Wittenberg, President and CEO of NYRR, observes, "As an organization dedicated to supporting health and fitness to people of all ages and abilities, New York Road Runners is extremely proud of its new relationship with the New York Junior League."

"The Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence is pleased to again partner with the New York Junior League in raising awareness about domestic violence," said Yolanda B. Jimenez, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence. "Tireless efforts by volunteers such as those at the New York Junior League help to erase domestic violence and rebuild lives."

EVENT OVERVIEW

General pre-race announcements begin at 7:30 a.m., and at 7:50 a.m. the NYJL President, City and State officials and other dignitaries kick-off the Run. Runners' registration and sponsorship forms are available online at http://www.nyrr.org/ and http://www.nyjl.org/. Three separate events will take place on Mother's Day.

1) The Co-Ed 5K, beginning at 8:00 a.m.; 2) The Women's Half-Marathon, beginning at 9:00 a.m., open to women only; 3) Kids' Races, beginning at 9:45 a.m., open to children ages 2 to 12.

The Awards Ceremony for the top overall finisher of the 5K is at 9:30 a.m. and the Awards Ceremony for the top finisher of the Half-Marathon is at 10:45 a.m. During the entire morning, tents in the Domestic Violence Awareness Pavilion will house domestic violence service providers, and the NYJL will provide information on its community programs including those relating to domestic violence.

About the New York Junior League: The NYJL, one of the largest and oldest nonprofit volunteer service organizations in New York, has been active in domestic violence awareness campaigns and providing services for women and children survivors for more than twenty years. NYJL volunteers participate in rigorous training. More than 2,800 trained women volunteers contribute more than 250,000 hours of service annually. The NYJL works with 29 community-based organizations and public agencies to deliver services and assistance directly to women and children in need. For more information please visit http://www.nyjl.org/.

About New York Road Runners: New York Road Runners, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running and enhancing health and fitness for all. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually and together with our magazine and Web site, support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of 60, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the world's top professional runners. For more information, visit http://www.nyrr.org/.

About the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence: One of only a few government offices in the United States focused solely on the issue of domestic violence, the Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence formulates policies and programs; monitors the citywide delivery of domestic violence services; and works with diverse communities to create solutions that are critical to preventing domestic violence in New York City. For help 24-hours a day, victims are urged to call 911, the NYC Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-4673 or 311. For more information, log on to http://www.nyc.gov/domesticviolence.

About LeSportsac, Inc: In 1974 LeSportsac revolutionized the accessories industry with the introduction of the Classic Collection of fold-in-a-pouch rip stop parachute nylon bags and luggage. Over thirty years later, the LeSportsac bag has become an American classic sold in countries around the world. Known for lightweight functionality, high performance fabrics and hardware, fashionable prints and styles, LeSportsac is affordable, fun, fashion and all you need to go. For more information about LeSportsac, please

visit http://www.lesportsac.com/ and our Madison Avenue, SoHo and Beverly Center stores.

About Mercedes-Benz USA: The Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) New York Regional office is based out of Parsippany, N.J., and is responsible for advertising, sales and marketing initiatives for the 28 Tri-State Area Mercedes-Benz dealers. MBUSA is headquartered in Montvale, N.J., and is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2005, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 224,421 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 12 consecutive years of sales growth. MBUSA supports organizations oriented around educating and empowering future generations, particularly those who are underserved. Through its philanthropic program, MBUSA partners with organizations that help women and the causes or issues that are important to them. The company donates money and resources to charitable organizations on a national and local basis and involves employees in hands-on volunteer activities. Through a variety of charities, corporate sponsorships, diversity relations programs, community events and women's initiatives, MBUSA supports the communities in which employees live and work. Philanthropic initiatives are reviewed and implemented through MBUSA corporate headquarters in Montvale, N.J. and through six regional offices around the country. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.

For more info contact: president@nyjl.org or visit http://www.nyjl.org/

The New York Junior League is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

The New York Junior League

CONTACT: Cynthia A. Cathcart, President of NYJL, +1-212-288-6220, ext.245, president@nyjl.org

Web site: http://www.nyjl.org/http://www.nyrr.org/http://www.nyc.gov/domesticviolencehttp://www.lesportsac.com/http://www.mbusa.com/http://www.maybachusa.com/

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category