Kidpower Celebrates 25th Anniversary With International Conference and Three-day Summer Institute for Child Protection Advocates

SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kidpower (http://www.kidpower.org/), the nonprofit leader in personal safety and violence prevention education, is marking its first quarter century of operations with an international conference and summer training institute. The "Together in Kidpower" conference will be held in Pacific Grove, California from July 11 to 13, immediately followed by the Child Protection Advocates Training Institute in Albany, near Berkeley.

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"We encourage journalists to cover this important milestone in Kidpower's history and attend portions of the conference or the institute," says Beth McGreevy, Kidpower's communications manager. "Our first 25 years are just the beginning of a powerful movement that will make people safer and healthier in their relationships for generations to come."

The inspiration for starting Kidpower happened in 1985 when Kidpower's founder and executive director Irene van der Zande protected a group of young children, including her own two, from a man who was threatening to kidnap them. 

"Looking back at that terrifying moment," van der Zande says, "I had no idea that it would start me on a long journey to answer many troubling questions, like: 'What if he'd knocked me down? What will happen when my kids don't have me there? And what about all the children who don't have someone to protect them?' Kidpower was born out of my search to find answers. I am excited that our conference will bring together so many wonderful people who share my passion for keeping kids safe."

Since its inception, Kidpower has served more than 3 million children, teens and adults, including those with special needs. The organization provides positive, practical and safe workshops and educational materials in the personal safety realm. Specific coverage areas include stranger safety, confidence skills, boundary-setting skills, positive peer communication, de-escalation skills and physical self-defense.

The Child Protection Advocates Training Institute will bring together education, mental health and other professionals from around the United States and the world. Representatives of Mexico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Lebanon, Singapore, India and Sweden will join those from California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Texas and Vermont, giving proof to the notion that child safety advocacy is truly a global concern.

"The purpose of this summer's institute is to give adult leaders the knowledge and tools to be strong role models and advocates, to intervene when necessary and to apply personal safety skills in their personal and professional lives," explained van der Zande. "Parents, volunteers and other caring adults are encouraged to register."

In the near future, the Child Protection Advocates Training Institute will be conducted in partnership with other agencies around the world.  A bilingual French/English session in Montreal is scheduled for October. Worldwide, Kidpower has over 150 certified instructors and 20-plus centers.

There are a limited number of openings still available for the Summer Institute, July 14-16. The registration deadline is June 25, 2014. For more information and to register go to Kidpower's website: http://www.kidpower.org/what-we-do/child-protection-advocates-training/

For journalists interested in attending these events or interviews with Kidpower leaders, send Email.

About Kidpower

Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International, commonly known as Kidpower, is celebrating 25 years as a non-profit leader in child protection, personal safety and confidence-building skills education. Kidpower's programs are highly recommended by experts worldwide for taking a positive, skills-based approach to preventing child abuse, kidnapping, bullying and other violence. Instead of using fear to teach about abuse and violence prevention, the Kidpower Method makes it fun to learn to be safe, building skills that increase the safety and success of young people and adults alike, and that last a lifetime.

SOURCE Kidpower