Carrick High School head wrestling and assistant football coach Lenny Orbovich sees the importance of educating his athletes about respecting women through Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM). Years of character-building coaching with his team has yielded positive results: “I hear the boys talking about our discussions outside of practice, and that’s how I know CBIM is making a difference.” CBIM provides coaches and athletes the opportunity to talk about healthy relationships, social media, and how to be a positive bystander in sports and in school. “As a coach, I see my players as real people. I want them to achieve success on the field and …

By Kristy Trautmann These feel like dark times for many – less daylight, more cold weather, and much fear and sadness in the wake of violence and tragedy. In the coming weeks many faith traditions will celebrate light and hope, and we wish you peace and comfort throughout the holidays. But everyone who has lit a flame in the darkness knows that fire both brings light and amplifies shadows. We can in turn be mesmerized by dancing candlelight and be startled by the oversized, sometimes menacing shadows cast by its brightness.  Our collective work to prevent violence and to promote safe and healthy relationships requires …

Assistant football coach Ryan Reitz has dedicated years to coaching male athletes in his district because he knows how impactful coaches can be in young people’s lives. He recently began implementing Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) with his team at Jeannette High School. CBIM is a character-building curriculum, consisting of 12 structured conversations that teach athletes life lessons they can carry beyond athletics. Each 15 minute conversation helps to empower athletes with skills to be positive roles models for their peers in school. Ryan recognized that Coaching Boys into Men could strengthen his efforts to lead and motivate his players- two tasks he feels are …

By Kristy Trautmann We are experiencing a watershed moment in the movement to address violence against women. Fifty years ago, we did not talk about domestic violence, sexual assault or sexual harassment.  And now gender-based violence is in the headlines nearly every day: Bill Cosby, campus sexual assault, Larry Nassar and the testimony of Olympic gymnasts, Harvey Weinstein, the #MeToo movement, sexual misconduct in the Catholic Church… We now recognize these forms of abuse as serious and pervasive societal issues. Three years ago, Southwest PA Says No More was founded to support the regional movement to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. Across our region, …