Photo by Erin Day

Classes, support offered at women's center

The Women's Resource Center's objective is to encourage and support women in the quest of their individual and collective goals.

"The (WRC) contributes to the retention of women from diverse backgrounds and is concerned with contributing to the promotion and creation of a learning environment," said director Marcela Chavez. "That is inclusive of all persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, religion, and culture."

The WRC provides many services for students, faculty, staff and community members, including counseling sessions, emergency contact cards, employment opportunities and a constantly growing database of issues that affect women.

The center also has listings of job opportunities and scholarships that are available to women. Peer counseling is available by appointment or by walk-in.

One may utilize the center for personal, career and academic counseling. Parents may leave their schedule in the WRC to be contacted in the case of an emergency.

Not all services are available at the center but referrals can be made by counselors, if necessary. The WRC provides access to counseling, financial aid information and low cost health care and legal advice.

Books and videos regarding women's issues are available for checking-out on topics such as feminist novels and poetry, spirituality, women of color, history and education and violence against women. Also available are recent journals on current propositions and issues that affect women such as poverty, substance abuse, eating disorders and AIDS.

A number of support groups meet at the WRC including: the Latina Network, SisterFriends, the Asian Women's Support Group, Eating Disorders and Re-entry Women.

Volunteers and interns for the center are constantly being sought. One may have the opportunity to learn while earning academic credit. One intern is currently working to further develop sexual-assault prevention and education on campus.

And yes, men do volunteer. Women and men have donated their time for such events as the "Women in Action" conference, Women's History Month events and "Take Back the Night."

The WRC is a co-sponsor of NOW's (National Organization of Women) annual "Take Back the Night" March and Rally, Saturday, Oct. 26. The purpose of this event is to publicly denounce violence against women as intolerable and encourage victims to break their silence.

Barbara Sinclair, singer, guitarist, songwriter and office manager of the WRC will be performing for "Take Back the Night." Self-defense demonstrations will be conducted by Dr. Betty Brooks and the group, Karate Women, during the event Author, Alyce LaViolette will give a speech against wife battering.

Survivors of violence will be invited to express their feelings during an open microphone forum. T-shirts with anti-sexual assault slogans will be worn and carried by supporters for the duration of the march.

"Take Back the Night" will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Promenade and Amphitheater on First Street and Pine Avenue in Downtown Long Beach. Admission is free. For more information or to volunteer for the event call the National Organization for Women's Long Beach Chapter at (310) 425-7493.

The Women's Resource Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in LA3-105. Seminars will be provided upon request for students, organizations, classes, departments, and offices regarding sexual harassment, date and acquaintance rape and other topics.