Home Alive

Home Alive is a non-profit organization based in Seattle which promotes anti-violence. The organization offers self-defense classes and public educatation and awareness in order to reduce and prevent violence. The Home Alive group trains its own instructors. They hold a range of courses including basic physical self-defense, boundary setting, and advanced multi-week courses. [ [http://www.state51.co.uk/hottips/496/homealive.html Mia Zapata: Home Alive ] ]

History

Following the rape and murder of a local singer, Mia Zapata, in 1993, a number of artists and musicians within Seattle began to meet and discuss the problems of violence within the community, and the lack of available resources such as self-defense classes, which were considered impractical and somewhat unaffordable. [ [http://www.homealive.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=35 Home Alive ] ]

A group of women, now recognized as the founders of the organization, pooled resources such as arts and music benefits in order to raise funds and study self-defense. Classes were provided to the community on a sliding scale basis, where no-one was turned away due to lack of funds. The group continues this work, providing classes to individuals, as before; but expanding to also educate establishments such as schools and businesses. With primary support still coming from the arts community, Home Alive continues to ground its self-defense education in a movement for social justice.

Founders

The nine women considered responsible for founding the organization are:

*Valerie Agnew
*Zoe Bermet
*Gretta Harley
*Julie Hasse
*Lara Kidoguchi
*Jessica Lawless
*Mich Levy
*Cristien Storm
*Stacey Wescott

References & External Links

* [http://www.homealive.org Official Website]