Bro Fest to bring healthy male relationships to forefront
An upcoming breakfast for men and boys will be an opportunity to help campaign for increased awareness of violence in the home and in the community – and for local men to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Miami at the same time.
The breakfast – to be called Bro Fest – will take on April 7 at the Two O Seven Steakhouse on Route 207 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The free buffet breakfast will be hosted by Kahnawake Shakotiia'takehnhas Community Services’ (KSCS) Family Violence Action Group.
“The idea is to promote healthy lifestyles, healthy relationships with other people and other men and to provide a safe space for men to be vulnerable and discuss how they feel,” said KSCS manager of prevention Rebecca D’Amico. “A lot of it has to do with hypermasculinity, and in the past, maybe men haven’t been as comfortable sharing their thoughts. We want men in the community to be able to meet like-minded individuals on their healing journeys.”
Men are welcome to bring another male along with them, whether they be a relative – a brother, a son, a nephew or an uncle – or even just a male friend.
The event will also provide community members the opportunity to win one of four all-expenses-paid trips to Miami for a conference in June.
Participants will be given the opportunity to share their thoughts, to consider the place of violence in the community and to explain why they think addressing violence in Kahnawake is important.
That written input will be entered into a draw for the lucky winners to participate in the Violence against Men and Boys conference to be held in Miami from June 11 to 13.
The Bro Fest idea was an offshoot of the organization’s 12 Days of Action against Conjugal Violence, a KSCS communications correspondent said.
“We had a few different events last year, which were primarily aimed at helping men to heal and find support on their healing path,” said KSCS communications correspondent Brooklyn Joseph. “We wanted men to be able to find support and promote safe and loving relationships, and this was one of the ways we came up with.”
The Bro Fest is free to attend and does not require registration. It will be held April 7 at Two O Seven Steak and Seafood on Route 207.
Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase
