FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Donna Giberti,
Director of Development and Marketing
Independence House, Inc.508-771-6507 x221, Fax 508-778-0143 donnag@indhouse.net
The Nicholas G. Xiarhos Respectful Youth Relationship Program launches with a special event in April and support from sponsors
Hyannis, MA, March 19, 2012 —Independence House is proud to announce the launch of a new youth‐focused educational program promoting healthy relationships and violence prevention among high school students throughout Cape Cod. The program, named for Nicholas Xiarhos, son of Yarmouth Police Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos, and whose life was lost while serving our country overseas in Afghanistan, will operate under the umbrella of the Education and Prevention Program of Independence House.
The Nicholas Xiarhos Respectful Youth Relationship Program is supported in part by a grant from the Verizon Foundation’s Domestic Violence Solutions Grant Program, the Nicholas Xiarhos Foundation, a grant from the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office and the generous contribution of Independence House Board member, Mary Brunette.
The new program will launch its inaugural event on April 25th at the Barnstable High School (BHS) Knights Hall by recognizing the accomplishments of the BHS Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program. The MVP program, presented to students by Independence House provides training through a structured curriculum on raising awareness and inspiring leadership around preventing violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment and gender stereotypes. Students work independently throughout the school year on projects that empower them and raise awareness among their peers on these topics. The event, named ‘Connect for Respect” by the MVP students will highlight their projects.
Sponsoring the event is Ryan Family Amusement, Mode 4 Music Studios, Diamond Graphics and Business Solutions, and Kids on the Cape Guidebook. Special guest performers, Project Moves Dance Company of The Gold School, a nationally acclaimed dance troupe made up of youth will perform their recently sold‐out multi‐media show with a theme of anti‐bullying, acceptance, peer and social issues.
The general public is encouraged to attend this event as well as students Cape‐wide. Tickets $10 adults, $5 students. All students that attend will have the opportunity to win an iPad in a give‐away and BHS students will also have a chance at winning an iPad through a contest that took place to create a logo for the BHS MVP Program.
