DECA’s fight against domestic violence: The ENOUGH Project

WCHS DECA students promoted Community Awareness of Domestic Violence and Anti-Bullying in the schools at the Festival of Leaves, October 12.

DECA’s newest project, dubbed The ENOUGH Project, had made a big impression this past weekend at the Festival of Leaves here in Front Royal. The three members leading this project, Reina Garnett, Halea Hose, and Brianna Cochran, have teamed up with local non-profit, the Phoenix Project, to spread awareness about Domestic Violence.

Our booth caught the eye of lots of passersby when they saw the Silent Witness display placed around the tent. This display featured four life-size plywood cutouts painted purple in the shape of a man, a woman, a young girl, and a young boy. When asked about this display, Reina responded, “It represents that anyone can be affected by domestic violence, not just women. Domestic violence is a faceless crime, and you never know who could be a victim.”

The Phoenix Project supplied DECA with lots of different goodies to hand out to the community including pamphlets, stickers, cups, pens, and bubbles. The ENOUGH Project leaders brought some of their own handouts as well, such as pinwheels and lollipops.

Lots of children who approached the booth were asked to sign an anti-bullying pledge card before they took any goodies. “The pledge card is a way to get the community involved in our anti-bullying section of the project,” Reina Garnett said. “It basically says that the person who signs will never bully or tease anyone, and that they will report any bullying they see.” Over 200 pledge cards were signed on Saturday alone, and many parents were enthused to see that their children are taking a stand against bullying.

Reina, Halea, and Brianna created lots of interactive activities to raise awareness about Domestic Violence. This includes a “Love is” board, which allowed people of all ages to write what they think love is on a heart-shaped cutout, and post it on the board for all to see, and an Instagram hashtag raffle.

“The booth was a big hit at the festival. It was really inspiring hearing all of the stories people would share about how the Phoenix Project helped them out of tough situations,” Reina Garnett says, “and it was also an amazing feeling to know that by speaking to community members about domestic violence and bullying, I am spreading awareness of a very serious issue.”

ENOUGH by DECA is a school based community awareness project for business, marketing, and entrepreneurship students.

If you or a loved one are affected by domestic violence, or if you would like to learn more about it, please call Project Phoenix at 540-635-2302, or visit their website: www.phoenix-project.org.