The iGroup Launches Second Women’s Self-Defense Awareness Month with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the Miss Michigan USA Organization
By: Mark Winter
Program presents free self-defense courses at Athletic Republic
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., October 5, 2010 – Southfield, Mich. based The iGroup, the region’s leading exclusive model & talent agency, has teamed up with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for the second year to launch Women’s Self-Defense Awareness Month in Oakland County for the month of October. As part of this initiative, the organizations will be collaborating with the Miss Michigan USA Organization to present free women’s self-defense courses. The program will officially launch on October 7, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. when Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard and Women’s Self Defense Awareness Month Spokeswoman Mikayla Bouchard along with 2011 Miss Michigan USA Channing Pierce and Miss Michigan Teen USA Taylor Sherman, host a public and media preview event at Athletic Republic located at 937 N. Opdyke Road in Auburn Hills, Mich. The preview, which is open to the public, will include information about Women’s Self Defense Awareness Month and demonstrate the key self-defense techniques that women will learn in the class. Tony DiMambro, lead talent agent for The iGroup, made the announcement.
The program, which was developed by The iGroup, identifies a need for women’s education on how to best protect themselves in the face of violence. The free classes will be held at Athletic Republic from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays throughout October and will feature a complimentary lunch provided by The Honey Baked Ham Company. Each individual session will be led by Deputy Jen Miles from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and John Parks, founder and chief instructor of the Martial Science Center, LLC, who also holds classes at the Athletic Republic. Miles will instruct participants on the prevention and implementation of basic self-defense techniques and Parks will educate attendees on physical martial applications during the daylong program. This abbreviated class features elements of an extended course offered by the Sheriff’s Office, by which participants can earn official RAD certification as well as elements of personal protection courses Parks has taught for decades.
“We know through our representation of Miss Michigan and other females in very high visibility careers the need for women to have the ability to protect themselves in various situations,” stated DiMambro. “We experienced overwhelming support for the program in Oakland County last year and we wanted to offer this to even more women this October.”
“Unfortunately, every day in Oakland County, countless women are victims of assault or domestic abuse,” said Sheriff Bouchard. “Learning to safeguard yourself against any type of assault is a smart idea. We are pleased to again be able to provide women with some of the tools they need to protect themselves and support Women’s Self-Defense Awareness Month.”
Athletic Republic has volunteered to house the individual classes at no cost, stressing the importance of educating women on proper self-defense techniques to protect themselves for potential threatening situations.
“I am proud to be a part of a program that dedicates amazing resources to helping women,” added Mikayla Bouchard, spokeswoman for Women’s Self-Defense Awareness Month. “We are honored to again have both Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA participate in this program and support instilling even more confidence in women.”
Those females wishing to attend the free class should wear comfortable athletic clothing and closed-toe tennis shoes. Sandals are not permitted. Women ages 18 and older are eligible to participate, along with those 14 and up who have parental supervision. To register for the program, interested individuals should choose either October 9th, 17th, 23rd or 30th for their desired class date and contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department at (248) 975-9700 to reserve their spot.
For more information about Women’s Self-Defense Awareness Month and the classes offered, please visit www.theigroup.com.
Click here to view and download a photo of Mikayla Bouchard
Click here to view and download a photo of Miss Michigan USA 2011 Channing Pierce
Click here to view and download a photo of Miss Michigan Teen USA 2011 Taylor Sherman
Click here to view and download photos of John Parks
Southfield, Michigan-based The iGroup is Michigan’s premier model and talent agency and the leading agency in the state that represents exclusive union talent for SAG and AFTRA. SAG membership enables the agency’s talent to work on major Hollywood films that require union membership of all principle talent. The I Group has secured roles for its exclusive actors in the following major studio films shot in Michigan: Stone, The Irishman, Flipped, Gran Torino, Whip It, Up In The Air, Demoted, Youth in Revolt, High School and Miss January, among others. The iGroup’s expansive resume consists of more than a decade of experience representing the highest caliber talent in the region. From actors to broadcast veterans, product specialists to fashion models, The iGroup is the go-to agency that advertisers and casting directors turn to for their film, television, and commercial productions; voice over projects; auto and trade show events; print advertising campaigns and fashion shows. The iGroup also exclusively MISS MICHIGAN USA® & MISS MICHIGAN TEEN USA® independently produced by Proctor Productions, LLC. under license with Miss Universe L.P.,LLLP. For more information on The iGroup, please visit www.theigroup.com.
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