Berks Advocates Against Violence
	500 Buttonwood Street Reading, PA 19601 610 736-3693 (fax) 610 736-3694
	Email: information@baav.org

BAAV is made up of individuals of various backgrounds, many of whom worked several years in the counseling and education field. This group of concerned individuals primarily formed to address male violence against women and children, particularly in domestic situations. We helped start and facilitate Project S.A.F.E. in Montgomery County, PA , and for years ran male batterer groups for Berks Women in Crisis.

In 1995, we formed our own organization in an urban district of Reading. We have since grown in our mission and services to be more inclusive to other populations and community needs offering many and various prevention and intervention programs for the youth of Berks County.

We are considered the primary forerunners in the progressive treatment of violent and aggressive behaviors; working within the confines of families, schools, institutions and communities of Berks County. We maintain our professional standards with state-of-the-art training and networking with other state and national organizations.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to appropriately challenge through education, counseling, community advocacy and mentoring the misuses and abuses of power and privilege which contribute to physical, emotional and social violence particularly towards populations of minority status; to directly address domestic violence, racism, misuse of authority, drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, suicide, sexism and crimes of violence and sexual assault; to include initiatives of prevention and reparation based on responsibility and accountability.

Goals and Objectives

• To be a resource of information and support that facilitates healthy choices.
• To empower individual, organizational and community initiatives.
• To encourage spirit and acts of collaboration and cooperation.
• To explore new alternatives through creativity, research and dialogue.
• To increase the voice, spirit, trust, hope and power of oppressed victims.
• To promote commitments to equality, tolerance, non-violence and safety first for women and children, the elderly and disabled, persons of color, homosexuals, the poor and foreigners.
• To assist in count, state, city, national and international efforts to obtain peace and equality among all people, including working toward political and legislative transformation.
• To encourage self responsibility and enforce self accountability.

Taking a Social Stand

Our stand against racism and sexism is not one of perfection but of necessary call for every individual, organizationa and community to hold themselves true.

1. To sincerely and thoroughly explore all forms, covert, and overt, of "prejudice" present within and around them.
2. To struggle both internally and externally with places of privilege and/or victimhood they occupy.
3. To be willing courageously, humbly and with compassion to enter into hard and productive dialogue, which includes sharing and listening.
4. To holding themselves accountable and responsible for the impact these privileges and victim stances have had on others and self.
5. To work commitedly to act upon these new learnings in ways which will transform the self and those operations, personal and or professional, in which they work within.
6. To better society toward equality with the ultimate goal being the elimination of racism and sexism whenever and wherever we can in whatever form it exists.

Services and Programs

• Pet Pals - Prevention and intervention based on animal assisted therapy and education.
• Project H.A.L.T. - Adolescent outreach intervention groups
• CHOICES - Psychoeducational treatment groups for male batterers and domestic violence couples.
• Peaceful Posse - Multigenerational mentor based group of community service, cultural education and recreation.
• Play-Right Poets and Players - Creative arts interactive learning group for adolescents.
• College Intern Program - Psychology, social work, education, criminal justice, communication, marketing.
• Week without Violence - October annual alternatives to violence campaign
• Workshops and Trainings - Customized to need
• Membership and Newsletter - Call 736-3693 or email us for details!

Ways to get involved

• Be a volunteer mentor (adult)
• Join community service projects
• Dedicate time to office activities, fundraising events or educational workshops
• Be a resource and referral center
• Provide locations for satellite services
• Enjoy benefits through membership as an individual or organization
• Collaborate on program agendas to address community needs
• Write an aticle for the newsletter
• Contribute professional services or equipment
• Develop a program and we will support the effort
• Be trained and work as a group facilitator with kids or adults
• Chaparone education, cultural or recreational trips and events.
• Come in or call to discuss your concerns and ideas about violence prevention, education and training.