Our young women learned a new way to combine dancing and working out—all while supporting a great cause!

Our girls from Seton and Bernardin Home volunteered and participated in “Work Out to Wipe Out Domestic Violence,” or WOWO, an event organized by the GFWC IL Morgan Park Junior Woman’s Club. With the help of fitness organizations throughout the community, the Woman’s Club hosts a variety of workout classes and sessions to raise funds benefiting A New Direction Beverly Morgan Park (AND), an organization committed to taking a stand against domestic violence.

Our young women received a visit from AND therapists prior to the event. The therapists talked with our girls about domestic violence and its impact on women and families. After hearing about the powerful negative effects of domestic violence, our young people knew they wanted to help, and signed up to volunteer for the upcoming WOWO event.

Once the day of the benefit arrived, our girls greeted participants of a Zumba class, handing out bracelets celebrating their commitment to stand against domestic violence. Once all attendees had arrived, our young women were even invited to join in on the fun!

“[Zumba class] is a beautiful way to exercise, a beautiful way to dance and get some energy, and be positive,” said Jessica of Bernardin Home. Jessica especially enjoyed learning new dance moves, as well as being able to bring awareness to an important issue.

Walsh Campus program director Amy Schulz was thrilled our young women were able to participate in such a great event. “We are always making efforts to partner with great organizations like A New Direction, and this one is right in the Beverly community!” she said. “I am so proud of the girls’ dedication to supporting causes like this, and grateful [that AND] helped to educate our young ladies.”

In a happy coincidence, A New Direction also has special connections to our home—AND board president Jessica McCarihan is a friend of Amy Schulz, and her husband, Mike McCarihan, is a member of our Ambassador board. “I went to high school with Jessica McCarihan and we are hoping to continue to work on several projects together,” said Schulz.

Kudos to our young women for supporting an important cause and being active members in their community, and thanks to A New Direction for helping to educate our young women!