COURSE DESCRIPTION
The idea of encouraging marginalized and oppressed people of color who have experienced DV to come forth and seek services and support from community organizations and law enforcement can ignite trauma responses as a result of being abused by the very systems that are said to help and support. The trauma experienced when your voice is unheard: your experience minimized; and you are blamed as the victim, all contribute to the perpetual cycle of violence, suppression, and rejection that form our unwillingness to seeking help. Since the days of slavery, we as a people have been resourceful in creating safety amongst ourselves because safety historically has not existed for us within dominant culture. As enslaved peoples our ancestors created and learned to use codes and underground avenues to create safety and community amongst themselves. This same concept applies for DV survivors of color today; safety and support is sought in unconventional ways.
In this workshop we will discuss how survivors work outside of dominant systems when they aren’t safe and reliable. We will discuss underground avenues of responding to domestic violence; what barriers impact the willingness to seek support; identifying ways systems can respond; and identify DV support outside of mainstream channels. My hope is that the audience will leave the workshop feeling empowered and equipped to navigate DV support-mainstream and underground- with confidence, comfort, and optimism.
LOCATION
Online via Zoom
PRICING AND REGISTRATION
For any questions regarding registration, our sliding scale, work-trade opportunities or accessibility needs, please contact Shay Braden at sjp@ywcapdx.org or (971) 358-6227.
ACCESSIBILITY
This class will be held online via Zoom. Please contact us to let us know if you need specific accommodations.
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TIPS
Thanks for joining us online! Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of this workshop:
Mute your microphone. To help keep background noise to a minimum, make sure you mute your microphone when you are not speaking. When your microphone is not muted, avoid activities that could create additional noise.
Engage with the class. These are intended to be workshops, not webinars! Please come ready to engage and participate, and help build community within the “classroom.” Not everyone is able to participate via webcam, but if you are able, we ask that you do so as much as possible.
Limit distractions and avoid multi-tasking. You can make it easier to focus on the meeting by turning off notifications, closing or minimizing running apps, and muting your smartphone. You’ll retain the discussion better if you refrain from replying to emails or test messages during the meeting and wait until after the workshop ends.
Help us improve our program! Each workshop will have a brief survey sent out. All results are anonymous and help us continuously improve our program.
Take notes. Our facilitators’ own their presentation material so it is not a requirement for the presentation to be shared afterwards.
Need an accommodation? Email us so we can create an ideal learning environment for you. sjp@ywcapdx.org
GROUP PARTICIPATION FRAMEWORK & AGREEMENTS
While guidelines and expectations will vary from workshop to workshop, most of these apply to a typical workshop session:
One speaker at a time. When one person talks, everyone else listens.
Community wisdom. Nobody knows everything, together we know a lot.
Take space & give space. Be mindful of how much you’re participating in the discussion.
Intent vs. impact. Before sharing, consider how what you say will affect others in the group.
Confidentiality. Details shared in the class stay in the class, but what’s learned goes with you.
Active participation. In this environment, it’s better to be open and imperfect than worry too much about being overly articulate.
Embrace discomfort and expect non-closure. Learning and growth can be stressful, do your best to hold space for those feelings.
PRESENTER
Presented by Tyesha McCool-Riley
My name is Tyesha McCool-Riley. I possess an associate and bachelor’s degree from Warner Pacific University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Multnomah University. I am a Portland native; born and raised in inner North and Northeast Portland. I enjoy spending quality time with my family, watching DIY television, mentoring youth, shopping, and going on nature walks. I have worked in the mental health field for several years; I have experience as a clinician in various capacities working with women, children, adolescents, and families who have experienced adverse circumstances that include sexual abuse, addiction, domestic violence, DHS involvement, involvement in the criminal justice system among other circumstance that had a significant impact on their lives and mental health. I am passionate and enthusiastic about empowering the voiceless to have a voice through advocacy and trauma informed therapy practices that provide a safe space for all people. I hold a special place for persons of marginalized and oppressed groups as their voices are often unheard, unacknowledged, and minimized.
Contact Us
Email: Christina at christinaf@ywcapdx.org or Shay at shayb@ywcapdx.org
Phone: (503) 294-7395