SEED (Safety Education Empowering Defense)

STRIVE4You’s SEED program was developed to endorse and provide safety education and adapted self-defense tactics within the community of individuals with low vision. SEED emphasizes the importance of advancing a culture with safety and security for all. Our self-defense program implements a holistic circle of services training body, mind, and spirit to prepare for and act on threats to personal safety. The SEED safety education curriculum works to create positive conditions in awareness of the unique challenges faced by individuals with low vision. SEED’s goal is to teach a principled approach to recognizing, analyzing, and responding to potentially threatening situations through this twofold method.

SEED adheres to the STRIVE4You peer-to-peer approach, placing great value in the development of our curriculum principally by and for those it aims to serve. This distinguishes SEED from all comparable initiatives nationwide. Many self-defense program offerings fail to confront the issues of personal safety and wellbeing beyond the physical techniques used to defend oneself. Our safety education courses acknowledge this need and apply the experiences of individuals with low vision to bridge the gap in education. Topics range from setting boundaries for physical touch and consent to tactics for recognizing and avoiding other potentially life-threatening situations. Trainings also include information about maintaining personal safety in and outside the home, mental health advocacy, contacting authorities to report an incident, and internally assessing personal wellbeing and comfort after a traumatic situation. These topics are not often adapted to fit the needs of individuals with low vision, creating a significant gap in their understanding and executory skill level of personal safety.

SEED services are provided via online courses, webinars, in-person workshops, and physical practice. All SEED instructors complete extensive training. At completion of our thorough and comprehensive application process, accepted instructors have the option to become Safety Education Specialists or Certified Instructors. Each instructor trainee is paired with an experienced and advanced instructor to mentor them throughout the process. Additionally, SEED further supports our instructors by hosting quarterly regional and annual national retreats. Ensuring our students have access to the highest quality of instruction through community-based workshops and classes keeps SEED practical, affordable, and empowering.

The SEED Circle of Services

Safety Education Workshops

SEED offers in-person workshops and virtual webinars that explore a variety of safety and security topics. STRIVE4You hosts these opportunities with open registration throughout the year, and individuals and organizations are encouraged to inquire about private workshop offerings. In-person workshops are offered in 4-, 6 and 8-hour sessions. Webinars are 2-, 4-, or 6-hour virtual sessions available for completion in one day or divided over multiple according to preference and scheduling needs. Workshops and webinars are tailored to request and conducted by two qualified SEED instructors.
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Intro Self-Defense Workshops

SEED also provides half- and full-day practical self-defense workshops that immerse participants in hands-on application. These in-person workshops establish a foundational skill set for physically defending oneself, including balance and breath control, body movement strategies, and targeting of vital and accessible striking points. They further provide a welcoming environment for safety education discussions especially as they pertain to specific concerns within the community of individuals with low vision.
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SEED Hybrid Workshops

If your group or organization is craving a more in-depth approach to personal safety, a hybrid workshop may be the best fit for you! SEED hybrid workshops are comprised of a combination of virtual and in-person sessions. These workshops provide participants with the access to hands-on self-defense training during the physical sessions, as well as our most popular safety education curriculum delivered via virtual modules. These workshops are tailored to each unique group’s needs and are conducted by two highly qualified SEED instructors.

Online Basic Safety Education Course

Through the STRIVE4You STRIVE2Learn Academy, SEED is proud to offer our online basic safety education course. This is a self-paced opportunity for individuals to independently learn our SEED Safety Education 101 Curriculum, which explores several topics related to safety and self-advocacy.
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Instructor Certification Training

Interested individuals can apply to become a Safety Education Specialist or Certified Instructor, with opportunity in the future to promote to an Advanced Instructor. The SEED Instructor Certification Training Course is a 6-12 month process that extensively explores safety education and self-defense. It includes online independent studies, an in-person, three-day intensive training, and hours of mentorship by experienced Advanced Instructors. Following completion, instructors will be certified in the SEED system and will participate in teaching ongoing classes locally within their communities.
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