Gloria Steinem may be grabbing all the headlines, but the famed feminist writer is not the only big name helping raise funds for Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, a Madison-based nonprofit group.
UW men's basketball coach Bo Ryan agreed to give a speech at Tuesday's fundraiser about the group's Delta Project, which counsels young men about domestic violence. Because the basketball season has already started, Ryan taped his segment, says Shannon Barry, the group's executive director.
Barry says the group sent Ryan a tape of interviews with young men involved in the Delta Project, inviting him to participate in the fundraiser. "He was impressed by the fact that the project is working with fraternities," she says.
The program, which is also in Madison schools, encourages men to rethink their behavior toward women. And it teaches young men not to resort to violence when they are angry or upset. "We're helping them figure out how to be strong men in ways that don't include violence against women," says Barry.
The Delta Project will lose $40,000 in funding next year when a federal grant ends. Barry says the group needs support from the public to continue the program. She hopes Tuesday's fundraiser, which has 500 guests attending and is sold out, will raise about $100,000.
"We're highlighting the Delta Project because it's been a success," says Barry. "We want to let the community know about it."
