"Peace First" workshops focus on Healthy Relationships

The Center for Violence-Free Relationships is offering a 12-week Peace First workshop on healthy relationships giving men and women an opportunity to improve their relationships and learn about conflict management. The workshop is under way now and meets on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at the center, 344 Placerville Dr, Ste 11, Placerville.

Peace First workshops emphasize the importance of using healthy strategies that produce peaceful outcomes. The workshop addresses relationship issues and focus on topics such as recognizing anger and ways of handling it, dealing with the core issues behind anger, ways to deal with stress, dynamics of jealousy, stopping power plays, alcohol and domestic violence, and compassionate communication.

The center has conducted many Peace First workshops and has seen various positive outcomes in the participants’ lives. The center will also be providing a Peace First workshop for men on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. so that male partners can go through the class as well.

“Many people who have participated in the workshops have said that it has transformed their lives,” said Eddie Zacapa, positive solutions program coordinator and Peace First workshop presenter at The Center. “Participants just end up learning so many rich materials and life skills that change is imminent.”

“The Peace First workshops were developed with the intention to eliminate the use of power-over strategies from homes, schools and the community. Research demonstrates that power-over strategies and abuse are learned behaviors passed from one generation to another. These workshops are offered to stop that cycle and offer people a different way to live that is healthy and compassionate,” said Zacapa.

The center is dedicated to building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual assault and domestic violence through education, advocacy and services in western El Dorado County.

The Peace First workshops are held at the center, but can also be brought directly to community organizations that are interested. To sign up for a “Peace First” workshop, fees, or for more information contact Eddie Zacapa at 530-295-4210 or 916-939-4464 or EddieZ@thecenternow.org.