Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph to host free self-defense workshop

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph is preparing for its 11th annual T.A.K.E. Defense class this weekend.

The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Brookdale Student Ministry, located at 3015 Felix St.

The class is put on by the Ali Kemp Foundation. The instructor, who is part of the foundation, travels around the United States putting on defense classes for women.

T.A.K.E. Defense Training provides girls and women with reality-based, self-defense training.

Erin Bradley, Kiwanis Club member, said this event will serve as a fundraiser for organizations in St. Joseph. T-shirts and tote bags will be available to purchase at the class.

"Not only the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph, but also the YWCA of St. Joe," Bradley said. "They will be here at the event as well with a product drive collecting items, hygiene products and that type of thing for the local shelter."

All donations from the event will go to the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph and the YWCA St. Joseph.

Bradley said it is important for women and girls to learn self defense because it can be empowering.

"Not only for the techniques when self defense is needed, but how to avoid situations, prevent yourself from being in a situation where you need these techniques," she said.

The event will also aim to raise awareness about domestic violence, according to the club.

"Women in this community do experience domestic violence and sometimes that's not acknowledged, and so bringing that awareness to this community, I think is really important," Bradley said.

There are still some spots available to register for the self defense class. You can register on the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph's website.