The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) will be hosting a "Walk Against Violence" in Weyburn on Thursday, May 22, starting at Memorial Park, next to City Hall, to create awareness of violence and promote peace within the community.

The staff, board of directors and volunteers are inviting all members of the community to join them on the walk for non-violence. There will be free hot dogs, cake and drinks served from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The "Walk Against Violence" will then begin at 6:15 p.m. and in the event of rain, the event will be held at the Grace United Church.

Adding to the evening's events will be the launch of the new name for the Violence Intervention Program. The new name will be announced during a short program at 6 p.m. The name was chosen early this year and better reflects where the program has developed since its inception in 1994.

Over the last two years VIP has been involved in strategic planning, which looks at programming, community needs and overall direction of the program for the next five years. "VIP completed a Needs Assessment at the beginning of this year and time and time again the issue of our name came up, as people felt it didn't represent the wide range of programming that our program is involved in," said VIP's executive director, Patt Lenover-Adams.

The walk will be a short distance through the downtown core of Weyburn and VIP is hoping that community members will come out to show their support for a violence-free community.

"We're hoping people will realize that there are several alternative choices to abusive behaviour," said Lenover-Adams. "We would like to create awareness and offer support to those who wish to make changes in their lives. This walk is one way to give people in our community a chance to come together in honour of peace."

The Weyburn Katimavik students will be doing a short program after the announcement of the new name, around 6 p.m. "We are very pleased that the students have been so supportive of this program and will also be helping with the serving of the hot dogs and refreshments," said Lenover-Adams.