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Our Keta Foundation pitches empowerment‑based self‑defense classes, requests city support and funding
Summary
Nanette Saturonas, founder of Our Keta Foundation, described a curriculum of situational awareness, verbal and physical self‑defense and asked the council to help provide funding, scholarships and community connections to expand classes in Albany.
Nanette Saturonas, founder and president of Our Keta Foundation, presented the nonprofit’s empowerment‑based self‑defense program at the Albany City Council work session on Feb. 24.
Saturonas described a seven‑hour workshop and a three‑hour safety workshop that cover situational awareness, boundary setting, verbal self‑defense and basic physical techniques. She cited a 2019 study in a women’s psychology journal — describing it as research of more than 600 women — and said the study found about a 52% reduction in reported violence among women who had taken empowerment‑based self‑defense training the previous year.
Saturonas said the program offers scholarships and that classes have been taught at the YMCA on the second Saturday of the month. She told councilors the foundation has partnered with the Jackson Street homeless youth shelter (a January class) and with Young Roots of Oregon, and that the organization plans a library class in April. She asked the city for help in three areas: funding to cover instructor fees, equipment and materials; public‑sector champions to raise awareness; and connections to local decision makers.
Councilor McManigue thanked Saturonas for the work and Councilor McLeod said she appreciated the program while also noting a broader point that society should hold perpetrators accountable. Saturonas provided contact information (contact@ourketa.org) and a website (ourketa.org) for people seeking classes or scholarships.
