Faith leaders and teachers play a critical role in educating youth on the dynamics of unhealthy and healthy relationships. Hear from Jessica Barnard, prevention educator, who will discuss her work with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s pilot project with the CDC to prevent unhealthy relationships.

Also, learn about how The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) supports programming to engage youth and prevent dating violence across the country as well as the need for VAWA’s reauthorization. At the end of this meeting, you will be given the opportunity to call your United States Senators to gain their support for its passage.

There is no charge for this offering.

Speaker

Jessica Bernard (Caccavallo), LCSW

Jessica Bernard is a trauma-informed Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Prevention Educator, and Dating Matters Coach ®.

As an expert in Sexual and Intimate Partner violence, she has delivered hundreds of classroom presentations to young people in the Chicago suburbs since 2015 while working at a local Rape Crisis Agency and the Archdiocese of Chicago Domestic Violence Outreach. Jessica is skilled at connecting with young people and helping them stay engaged, curious, and safe through these tough and uncomfortable topics. She has also trained and provided ongoing support to school staff and community members on how to effectively and appropriately implement Dating Matters and other violence prevention programming efforts. In addition to working directly with people in schools and local community agencies, Jessica owns her own Private Practice and provides individual and group therapy to folks seeking healing, emotional regulation, skill-building, and space to reclaim their lives and feel empowered.

COVID’s impact on women is clear. Not only have women been most financially impacted by the pandemic, but rates of domestic violence and child abuse have increased significantly. Long-term the consequences of the “she”-cession will further disadvantage women, and women from underserved communities in particular. Loss of employment, future earning potential, and safe and secure housing all impact survivors of gender-based based violence disproportionately.   

In this discussion, panelists will speak to the ways that COVID has directly impacted the economic security and safety of survivors of gender-based violence, and the lessons learned regarding supporting survivors during this time.

This webinar is offered at no charge.

Panelists 

Deborah Rosenbloom, Chief Program Officer, Jewish Women International 

Rosemary Estrada-Rade, Director of Operations, National Domestic Violence Hotline  

Sarah Hassmer, Senior Council for Income Security, National Women’s Law Center 

Lauren Reliford, Political Director, Sojourners 

The Interfaith Coalition is hosting a three-part series to educate young people interested in the intersections of faith-based advocacy and gender-based violence.

Individuals who participate in all three sessions will receive a certificate of completion.

Please register for all sessions!

Thursday, July 22nd, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. (ET)

Hear from representatives from a diverse group of eleven faith-based organizations who work to end gender-based violence. Learn about their organizational missions and the strategies they use to actualize change. Organizations represented include:

Catholics For Family Peace
Friends Committee on National Legislation
KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Islamic Relief USA
Sojourners
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
United Church of Christ
Sikh Family Center
US Baha'i Office of Public Affairs
Jewish Women International

The Interfaith Coalition is hosting a three-part series to educate young people interested in the intersections of faith-based advocacy and gender-based violence.

Individuals who participate in all three sessions will receive a certificate of completion.

Please register for all sessions!

Thursday, July 15th, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (ET)

Learn about the work of the Interfaith Coalition, and the successes and opportunities that exist when faith-based organizations come together.

Panelists
Dorian Karp, Advocacy and Policy Director at Jewish Women International

The Interfaith Coalition is hosting a three-part series to educate young people interested in the intersections of faith-based advocacy and gender-based violence.

Individuals who participate in all three sessions will receive a certificate of completion.

Please register for all sessions!

Thursday, July 8th, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (ET)

Hear from experts from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim organizations as they discuss the experiences of survivors of faith and the ways organizations work to support survivors in these communities. 

Panelists
Dr. Denise Berte, Executive Director of Peaceful Families Project
Dr. Sharon O'Brien, Director of Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative
Deborah Rosenbloom, Chief Program Officer at Jewish Women International
Ben Wortham, Vice President of Behavioral Health Integration at Catholic Charities USA

For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Interfaith Coalition is hosting a four-part series to discuss how racism and misogyny impact survivors’ ability to seek safety and justice. 

Wednesday, October 28th, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (ET)

Many of the systems and programs created to help survivors often do significant harm to Black and brown communities. This session will explore why our current systems aren’t working, and highlight alternative models for those seeking safety and justice outside of the criminal legal system. It will also look at the role of community and faith in creating safety. 

For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Interfaith Coalition is hosting a four-part series to discuss how racism and misogyny impact survivors’ ability to seek safety and justice. 

Wednesday, October 21st, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. (ET)

Gender-based violence cannot be vanquished in isolation. It is necessary to transform systems and cultures in order to foster conditions of collective thriving, and to rethink the role of individuals, communities and institutions in creating those conditions. This session will explore both the root causes of extreme economic inequality as well as the immediate financial challenges facing those experiencing domestic violence. This will be a participatory session.

For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Interfaith Coalition is hosting a four-part series to discuss how racism and misogyny impact survivors’ ability to seek safety and justice. 

Wednesday, October 14th, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (ET)

Through data, statistics, and stories this session will explore the gaps and particular needs of Tribal governments to prosecute gender-based violence in Indian Country and create safety in their communities.

For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Interfaith Coalition is hosting a four-part series to discuss how racism and misogyny impact survivors’ ability to seek safety and justice. 

Wednesday, October 7th, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (ET)

The scourge of racism impacts all of the systems in which we live. In this discussion, panelists will speak to the ways the race and religion of survivors impacts their interaction with domestic violence service providers and the criminal legal system. 

Onboarding for Summer Interns

The Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is composed of over 40 faith organizations that come together to advocate for national legislation and public policies that protect all people from domestic and sexual violence, with particular concern for women and families.

JWI's National Alliance provide webinars on a variety of relevant topics, led by the country’s top experts on domestic violence and attended by attorneys, social workers, counselors, educators, advocates, DV organizations, task forces and clergy of all faiths, from every state and seven foreign countries.

Coffee at 9:30 a.m.; panel 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Panelists: Silvana Arista, CLINIC Legal; Aisha Rahman, Karamah