Fearless Advocacy for Men's Engagement (FAME)
Blackburn Center's Social Transformation Committee brings together community members to address the root causes of gender-based violence and promote lasting change. One of its initiatives, Fearless Advocacy for Men's Engagement (FAME), focuses on engaging men as active participants in ending gender-based violence.
At Blackburn Center, we believe that ending gender-based violence requires a cultural shift, and that men should be at the forefront of this movement. We have long recognized that engaging men in our mission in prevention, advocacy, and awareness efforts is critical to its long-term impact. Through FAME, we train and support men who serve as agents of change, taking action in their families, workplaces, and communities to challenge oppression, promote equity, and model healthy forms of masculinity.
Men who demonstrate a commitment to helping end gender-based violence in Westmoreland County are invited to join the FAME group.
Members of this group commit to the four phases of being an advocate:
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Awareness: knowing who you are and how your beliefs and behaviors impact the existence of gender-based violence in the culture;
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Knowledge/Education: learning about male privilege and assumptions about masculinity, as well as addressing the perceptions that men in our culture are raised with related to gender equality;
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Skills: being comfortable with and able to share this knowledge, and becoming equipped to challenge preconceived ideas supporting gender inequality and its linkage to gender-based violence; and
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Action: engaging in ongoing dialogue about these issues among men and in groups of men and women.
FAME members engage in this work at two level - Partners and Supporters - each playing a vital role in advancing the mission.
FAME Members - Levels of Engagement:
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Partners:
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Requires participation in an initial three-hour advocates training session.
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Serve as leaders - mentors among other advocates - and may facilitate future FAME trainings.
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Act as public representatives and ambassadors of the FAME group through community outreach, public speaking, and other opportunities.
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Assist with recruiting new members.
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Make a specific commitment to community action, including participation in Blackburn Center initiatives, such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.
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Must obtain required background clearances prior to participating in direct service level activities. Conditions for volunteering include PA Criminal History (Act 34), PA Child Abuse History (Act 151), FBI Fingerprint-based Criminal Background Check, and Mandated Reporter Certificate.
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Supporters:
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Make a specific commitment to community action.
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Participate in Blackburn Center initiatives, such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.
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If you would like to get involved with FAME, fill out the contact form below. We look forward to hearing from you!