LIHUE — Aliyah Schmitt wanted to create a hundred happy faces with love and aloha on her T-shirt during the Kauai Police Activities League boxing practice at the Vidinha Stadium training facility. Getting help from Kauai Police Department officer Mitchell
LIHUE — Aliyah Schmitt wanted to create a hundred happy faces with love and aloha on her T-shirt during the Kauai Police Activities League boxing practice at the Vidinha Stadium training facility.
Getting help from Kauai Police Department officer Mitchell Collier, Sheena Collier and Leialoha Sanchez of the YWCA of Kauai, Schmitt diligently worked on her creation Thursday while her brother was engaged in boxing practice.
It is part of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sanchez said.
During the Week Without Violence, which is Oct. 17 through 23, shirts will be hanging on a clothesline at the Kauai Police Department.”
The Week Without Violence is when the YWCA of Kauai joins associations across the nation in remembering and honoring the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“This is the first time we’ve branched out to the youth,” Sanchez said. “K-PAL teaches athleticism, and in training, Lt. Mark Ozaki shows the athletes that violence is not the answer. The training they offer youth is to not take advantage of their opponents.”
Sheena Collier said creating T-shirts with positive messages was great because while the kids were in boxing practice, it offered an opportunity for the parents and siblings to get to know each other.
“It’s food, education and fun,” she said.
Sanchez said the YWCA will be hosting the clothesline project and silent witness campaign from Oct. 17 through Oct. 19 at Kauai Community College.
The clothesline project will move to Kapaa High School on Oct. 21.
Other activities for the Week Without Violence include the candlelight vigil on Oct. 19, starting at 5 p.m. at the St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue.
“Equal Means Equal” is a free screening and panelist discussion with a purse sale at the Kauai Community College on Oct. 21. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the film starting at 6:30 p.m.
The panel discussion following the film.
A purse sale will help raise funds for the YWCA domestic violence/crisis programs, and women’s financial education.
Edie Ignacio-Neumiller of the Zonta Club of Kauai said people who want to contribute gently used purses for the sale can drop them off at the YWCA center office, 3094 Elua St.
