Rock Island, IL-Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in our community. It is a silent predator that affects one out of every four women and, typically, impacts several generations of family members. In recognition of national domestic violence awareness this month, Christian Care is hosting Walk the Walk this Saturday, October 5, located at Prospect Park in Moline. The walk is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with registration starting at 9:00 a.m. Take a stand against domestic violence: join Christian Care and Diamonds on the Avenue by participating in this year's Walk the Walk.

Before beginning the walk, participants will hear the compelling story of how a grandmother lost her granddaughter to domestic violence. Afterwards, they will enjoy a performance by Healing Waters Empowerment Project. Participants will receive a race bag, walk pedometer, and several other goodies. The event also features a silent auction and activities for children. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go directly back into the programs and services that Christian Care offers to so many in the Quad Cities community. Please do not forget that every dollar donated makes a difference, registration is only $10.00. 98% of the women who complete Christian Care's holistic programs go on to live independent lives, free of their abusers.

Christian Care's services are available in the Quad Cities to a growing number of homeless men and abused women and children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through their two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?they provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to anyone in need. They serve homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and the mentally ill. Their vision is to transform the lives of those they serve by providing their residents with an opportunity to start a new, more productive life. For more information contact Lindsey at 309-786-5734 or visit Christian Care's website at www.christiancareqc.org

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"Celebrate the Holidays," a Christmas Variety show featuring some of the area's finest performers will be presented by the Davenport Chordbuster Barbershop Chorus.

Patterned after the annual gospel show produced by the Cedar Rapids Harmony Hawks for the Salvation Army of Cedar Rapids and the local Churches United production entitled "Pastors on Parade," the Chordbuster Chorus decided to contact Churches United concerning support for their 24 food pantries in the Quad City Area.

Heritage Church in Rock Island and Ascentra Credit Union joined the effort.

The variety show will be held on December 6th at Heritage Church, 4801-44th Street, Rock Island, Illinois. Show time is at 7:00 PM. This event is free, but an offering will be taken with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Churches United Food Pantries. For more information, please go to www.thecordbusters.com.

(DAVENPORT, Iowa) - Family Resources third annual Honor the Women program will feature a presentation from sexual violence prevention activist and National Story Slam Champion, Nancy Donoval, on Friday, Oct. 11, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf. Proceeds from the luncheon help support the Family Resources Rape/Sexual Assault Counseling & Advocacy Program.

Donoval was 19 and a freshman in college when she was raped by a trusted friend after what started out as a night of fun and drinking. Now, more than 30 years later, Donoval travels the country, combining her experience as a rape survivor with her gift of storytelling to educate and engage others in open conversation about sexual violence in order to reduce the stigma of rape, inspire hope in survivors and their loved ones, and motivate social change.

"After every program, people come up and tell me their stories," said Donoval. "Sometimes I'm the first person they've told. And not just survivors, I hear stories from friends and family members, too. The fact is we all know someone who is a survivor whether we know we do or not," she said.

Nearly one in five women and one in 71 men reported experiencing rape at some time in their lives, according to a survey from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. In a study of undergraduate women published in the Journal of American College Health, 19 percent have experienced attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college.

Donoval, who holds a master's degree in fine arts, was awarded the title of National Story Slam Champion in 2010 for an excerpt from her one-woman show "The Road to Shameless: A Survivor's True Story of Rape and Recovery." During her visit to the Quad Cities, high school and college students will have the opportunity to see the entire show free on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at Augustana College's Wallenberg Auditorium in Rock Island. Tickets for the Oct. 10 performance are available at area colleges and high schools. Parents are welcome to accompany students.

Tickets for the Honor the Women luncheon on Oct. 11 are $30.  Doors open at 11 a.m. for a silent auction and social hour. Lunch and the presentation begin at noon. To register, visit famres.org, click on Details under Events, and find the registration at the bottom of the page.

Presenting sponsors for the luncheon are: Unity Point Health - Trinity, Quad Cities Investment Group, Northwest Bank & Trust, and Western Illinois University - Quad Cities. Honor sponsors are Sue Quail and Eastern Iowa Community College.

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About Family Resources

Family Resources is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe place for women, children and families. Adapting to the needs of communities across 13 counties in Iowa and Illinois, Family Resources provides solutions wherever there are gaps. Many clients have suffered physical and emotional trauma caused by domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or mental disorders. Family Resources helps heal and restore broken lives by providing a safe place in body, mind, and spirit, which leads to the building of a stronger community. For more information, go to www.famres.org.