See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Colin Mixson
Brooklyn Daily
Brooklyn’s taking strides to prevent domestic violence.
Four score Brooklynites tied up their laces and took to the oval in Marine Park on Sunday, participating in the second annual Domestic Violence Walkathon, and in doing so helped to bring awareness to the battered victim’s of broken homes.
The event was created by the Stephen Walerstein, of Powers Inc., which provides services for victims of domestic violence, and has watch it grow into a community powerhouse.
“It was his vision to have a walk that would grow in numbers year by year, so that we would be able to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence,” said Jack Raplee, a spokesman at Powers. “It was bigger this year and we’re hoping it will be even bigger next year.”
Joining the locals on their walk towards a better future were state Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Councilman Lew Fidler, state Sen. Daniel Squadron, and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who came from the Big Apple to speak and show his support.
“They all had an opportunity to speak about the issue of domestic violence,” said Raplee. “It was really nice to have them there.”
Powers Inc. provides services for men and women who have become victims in their own homes, including free yoga, nutrition, and even self-defense classes.
The two year old non-for-profit held last year’s Walkathon in Flushing Meadows, Queens, but found Brooklyn’s Marine Park to be a much better venue when it came to drawing a crowd.
“That’s the nice thing about the location, you had people in the park, and people were asking what we were walking for, and we told them what we were all about,” said Raplee.
Reach reporter Colin MIxson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.