For my Cakeday and first post, I present: Men for change

Patrick Stewart gets it

Want to help?

Friends of mine work for, and volunteer at Crossroads Safehouse, a shelter in Northern Colorado, USA

The Men for Change is a social movement of men in our community and around the world taking a stand against domestic violence to create change, while raising vital funds for Crossroads Safehouse to ensure those living with violence and abuse in northern Colorado have access to safety, support and options when they need it most.

For too long domestic violence has been viewed as a women's issue.

…it is likely that someone you know, someone you love, may be among them.

As men – fathers, sons, brothers, husbands and partners or as a woman who wants to honor a man who has shown you the love and respect you deserve – you can have a powerful voice in the fight against domestic violence.

I am extending an invitation to you, my fellow Imguraffes, to take a stand and speak out against Domestic Violence by breaking the cycle of abuse through positive role modeling and awareness building.
Please join me in standing as an ally alongside the thousand of men, women and children in our community suffering at the hands of someone who is supposed to love them.

Please upvote for awareness,

or make a donation at http://www.crossroadssafehouse.org/donate/men-for-change/ Crossroads Safehouse provides services to women and their children as well as men regardless of race, sexual orientation, or legal status. The shelter is full 90% of the time, and while they are working hard writing grants, etc. more funding is always helpful.

Don't want to support a shelter outside of your community? That's fine, get involved in your own community, or with international organizations. Here are links to just a few of the organizations doing great work around the world:

Stop Violence Against Women.org:
http://www.stopvaw.org/Stop_Violence_Against_Women

Domestic Violence International Resources:
http://www.vachss.com/help_text/domestic_violence_intl.html

The World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/

Amnesty International:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/issues/women-s-rights/violence-against-women

TL;DR - Violence and verbal abuse should never occur within the home. Volunteer, speak out, be a role-model, and/or donate to help end it. Thanks for your time.