The Need for Speed Relay to Speak Out Against Domestic Violence is a new relay event that will take place in Westchester County, New York on June 11, 2006. It is open to runners of every level of expertise, and offers an exciting opportunity to race as a team while raising awareness and funds to help children affected by violence in their homes. Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten, and up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence each year. Join the Need for Speed Relay and speak out so the violence stops.

Joe Torre, Manager of the New York Yankees, will serve as Honorary Team Captain of the inaugural Need for Speed Relay.

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When is it?

• Sunday, June 11, 2006 (rain or shine)
• Relay starts at 7:30 am
• Teams will finish at their own pace in the afternoon, followed by finish line festivities

What is the event and route?

• “From the Mountain to the Sound” – starting at Bear Mountain Bridge and running through Westchester County, NY to New Rochelle on the Long Island Sound
• 60 miles total in 9 legs of 4 miles to 11 miles each
• Route will include parks, trails and roads of varied terrain – including dirt, grass and roadways
• Finish will be in downtown New Rochelle, with festivities including an outdoor festival with music, food, beverages, prizes, awards and special rewards for all who donate or raise funds for Speak Out Against Domestic Violence.

Who can participate?

• Runners of all abilities are welcome – gather friends, family and colleagues to form a team.
• Teams consist of 6-9 runners
• Teams of 9 runners cover 1 leg each, or there is an option for 1 to 3 team members running 2 legs each
• Corporations and local businesses can create teams, donate goods and services or sponsor the event

What is it for?

Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence is a project of the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women. Avon philanthropic programs worldwide have raised and awarded more than $450 million for breast cancer and women’s empowerment. In 2004 the Avon Foundation launched the Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative to raise funds and awareness for domestic violence education, community outreach, direct service programs and prevention. The Need for Speed Relay is a new program of Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative. Funds will be awarded through the Avon Foundation to organizations that provide programs to help children who have been abused or witnessed abuse, or programs that address the cycle of violence that makes these children more likely to be abusers in the future.

One organization that will receive funds is the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation to create a “Margaret’s Place” program in Westchester County. Joe Torre knows the fear of children affected by violence in the home. He lived it as a child, fearful of his own father, who abused his mother, Margaret. Joe believes that no child should have to live with that fear. It is in that spirit, and in memory of his mother that the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation was established.

“Margaret’s Place” provides middle school and high school students with a designated safe room staffed with a trained counselor to provide students with the opportunity to safely discuss issues of abuse that may be experienced or witnessed at home or being perpetrated through their own behavior. Through interactive classroom workshops, students also learn about the cycle of abuse and how they can take an active role in breaking this cycle by changing a school culture through anti-violence campaigns.

Click here for statistics on children and domestic violence.