The Purdue University North Central Rape Aggression Defense System (R.A.D.) offered by the PNC Campus Police
recently received a commitment for a donation from the employees of Midwest Family Credit Union in Portage.
R.A.D. is a national program, founded in 1989 by a Virginia police officer, which teaches simple, yet effective safety techniques that can be used by teenage and adult women. PNC has offered the training without charge to women age 13 and older since 2002. R.A.D. is the largest women's self-defense network in the United States.
Last fall the PNC Campus Police started its "R.A.D. on the RoAD" classes, and offered classes taught by a R.A.D. instructor to women in local communities. Several Midwest Family Credit Union employees enrolled in R.A.D. on the RoAD classes offered at the credit union.
The credit union employees contribute $5 a week for the privilege of wearing casual dress on Fridays and that money is donated to area organizations. This year's donations were earmarked for the Portage Police Department's "Arrive Alive Program" and the PNC R.A.D. program. Their goal is to raise $750. They have applied to the Credit Union Foundation for a matching grant, which will bring the amount of money available to a total of $1,500, said Shirley Patellis, Vice President of Midwest Family Credit Union.
Their donation will be used to purchase a R.A.D. training mat and will help offset the class expenses so that other women in the community have the opportunity to attend R.A.D. classes.
PNC Police Dispatcher Sue Zahn, a certified R.A.D. instructor, explained that the R.A.D. techniques are simple and women of most any age or ability can utilize them effectively.
For more information about the PNC R.A.D. program and R.A.D. on the RoAD programs, contact the PNC Campus Police at 219-785-5200, ext. 5220, Campus_Police@pnc.edu or visit www.pnc.edu/pd/rad.html