By David Woolpy
Assistant Editor
On Sunday, May 3, from 3 to 4 p.m., the Mayerson JCC will host “Own Your Voice: Empowerment & Self-Defense for Families,” a workshop designed to teach basic self-defense skills to youth ages 10 and up.
The interactive program invites children and their parents to learn practical, real-world strategies to stay safe, speak up and support one another with confidence. Participants will practice age-appropriate mental, verbal and physical techniques in a supportive, engaging environment grounded in real-life scenarios.
The workshop follows an evidence-based, trauma-informed Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) model, built around a simple framework children can remember and apply: Think, Yell, Run, Fight, Tell. Families will also develop a shared language to reinforce these skills at home, helping children understand what to do and who to turn to in challenging situations.
Only children require a paid ticket; accompanying adults may register for free. J Play childcare will be available for children under age 10.
