United Communities Advocating Non-Violence Inc.

.“You Can Make A Difference”

“YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

About UCAN Inc.

UCAN Inc. is a group of committed community members who are interested in reducing domestic violence in our community.  We focus our efforts on the work site and have had great support from our local business and industry.

UCAN Inc. started in 2000 with a 100 man luncheon.  The effort was designed to get more men of the community involved in anti-violence efforts, especially domestic violence.  From that luncheon the Business Workplace committee was formed with interested business and community members.  UCAN Inc. meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:00 a.m. to 7:55 a.m.

Each October during domestic abuse awareness month we have an annual luncheon that has attracted approximate 200 community members each year for the last six years.  The past speakers include:  Denise Brown, Phyllis Michaels, Ron Campbell, Lundy Bancroft, Michael Paymar, & Becky Ringen.

We have developed a “End Abuse Pledge” that a number of community members have taken and been given a “UCAN” medallion (pictured to the right) as a reminder that they have taken the pledge.  The UCAN (you can make a differences also a reminder that what they do today has an effect on those around them.

The committee has developed a booklet titled “Domestic Abuse Awareness Guidebook for the Community and Workplace”.  It is a manual of tips and suggestions to help make our community free of domestic abuse.  These booklets have been distributed at health fairs, community events, county fair and in the workplace.  To date there have been approximately 4000 booklets distributed to community members.

Another effort that the UCAN committee spearheaded was the “Peace Challenge”.  It was a project designed to get community businesses and industry involved in reducing domestic violence and the effects of domestic violence.  The committee along with industry representatives developed a number of criteria that a business had to complete such as having a policy on domestic violence, training for employees, educational materials available, and other items.  If the business completed the required criteria they were put on the “Mayors Honor Roll” and their business name was inscribed on a plaque that is prominently placed in Alexandria City Hall and they were also given a plaque to put up at their business saying that they were members of the “Mayors Honor Roll”.

The committee continues to seek out ways to involve community members, especially men, in the effort to reduce domestic violence.