Shelter Guild Hosts Purple Bag Lunch Series

Naples, FL – The Education Committee of the Guild for the Shelter for Abused Women & Children is pleased to announce the Purple Bag Lunch Series, set for Tuesday, February 20, and Monday, April 16, 2007, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Collier County Public Library, Naples Branch, 650 Central Avenue, Naples.

Organized by the Education Committee of the Shelter's Guild, the lunch series is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence; educate the community on breaking the cycle of abuse; and provide resources to women and children victims of domestic violence, as well as those who care for them.

The first in the series, Breaking Out of the Manbox: Teaching Young Boys to Respect Women features Shelter Children's Counselor Frank Sodano, LMFT, PhD.

According to Sodano, "All young boys desire to be a part of the accepted male culture, the ‘man box'. Unfortunately, the current ‘box' sees women as objects that cater to men's whims. It is up to the adults in the society to reconstruct the box to include women as thinking and feeling human beings rather than objects." He concludes, "We construct the box by our words and our behaviors."

The second Purple Bag Lunch is set for Monday, April 16; details to be announced. Both lunches, underwritten by Jerry Wachowicz, Realtor, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Naples Branch library, 650 Central Avenue.

Individuals are asked to bring their own lunches and a friend. Coffee, cookies and presentation provided by the Guild Education Committee. Seating is limited, for more information and to reserve a spot, please call 643-0136.

For more information about the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Options Thrift Shop, as well as programs and services, please call 239-775-3862, or visit the Shelter’s website at www.naplesshelter.org.

Media Contact:
Mary Ann T. Green, mgreen@naplesshelter.org, 239-775-3862, ext. 211