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What is IMPACT?

IMPACT offers violence-prevention programs for people to embody their own power, set effective boundaries, defend their physical and emotional safety, and heal. 

Is IMPACT for you? Yes!

We build safe spaces for people who experience and resist violence differently because of who they are or how they are perceived, like women, youth, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, etc.

Our Vision

A courageous future where people use their individual empowerment skills to live fuller, more confident lives and create safer communities.

Our Values

These values guide our curriculum, policies, and organizational practices:  

Empowerment - At IMPACT, you decide if and how you will access your own power to defend your physical and emotional safety.

Trauma-Sensitivity & Healing - We offer spaces where healing can happen. We are sensitive to the emotional realities of violence and believe trauma and emotions can be sources of strength.

Community & Solidarity - Our programs foster solidarity and strength by celebrating and supporting each other. 

Social Justice - We are committed to working with individuals and communities who have been systemically disempowered. IMPACT skills can and should be used to interrupt oppression and reclaim power.

What Makes Our Classes Unique

Our instructors and class assistants reflect the students we serve, and our evidence-based curriculum includes:

 Full-Force, with Safety

We train students to fight full-force against padded mock attackers in an adrenalized state, to engrain our techniques into muscle memory. This means that the body will remember - and respond appropriately - even when the mind has forgotten or "freezes" during an attack.

 Realistic Scenarios

Our instructors are trained to use real-life scenarios of violence and potential violence by playing the role of perpetrators so that students are prepared to counter an actual assault.

 Training Tailored to the Individual

Our simple and effective techniques utilize the strengths in each student's body. Class size is limited to provide a maximum level of individual instruction.

 Confronting the Emotion of Violence

Our trauma-informed instructors create a supportive environment to help students develop inner strength and work through fears.