ASIA’s Northeast Ohio Asian women’s Leadership Initiative (NALI) hosted its first 2 day retreat to develop women as “natural helpers.” Natural helpers are trained to recognize and support domestic violence victims in their community.  The interactive training program brought together 25 women of all ages from 8 different Asian ethnic groups.  In support of national Domestic Violence Awareness Month,  participants developed the skills and capacity to be leaders who speak out against domestic violence.

Krystal Martin from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network presented and Julia Shearson, Executive Director of CAIR’s Cleveland chapter was in attendance.  The event was held at beautiful Punderson Manor and catered by local Filipino chef Marina Villanueva-Velmin.