Back-to-school safety and self-defense classes, volunteer opportunities

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Youth Introductory Safety & Self-Defense Class

• Thursdays: October 8th, 15th and 22nd
• 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Garlington Center, 3036 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
• Register

Open to youth ages 11 through 14. Youth may attend alone or be accompanied by an adult (women-identifying, non-binary person comfortable in a space that centers on the experiences of girls or LGBTQIA2S+).

Community Introductory Safety & Self-Defense Class

• Mondays, October 12th, 19th and 26th
• 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
• Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy
• Register

We welcome all women and non-binary friends comfortable in a women centered space, ages 14+ (14-17 accompanied by a trusted adult).

Volunteering with Rose City Self-Defense

Volunteer Today, Inspire for a Lifetime…

Join the Rose City Self-Defense program as a volunteer instructor to teach Community Classes (ages 14 and up), Youth Programming (ages 11 to 18), as well as LGBTQIA2S+ Classes. Volunteer instructor training is engaging, comprehensive and taught by professionals in the field of empowerment-based, trauma-informed violence prevention and self-defense. Upon completion, instructors have the skills and knowledge they need to help the City of Portland be leaders in non-violence.

• Application Deadline: October 2, 2026
• RCSD Instructor Training Starts: January 9, 2027 (Six Saturdays in January-March)
• Volunteer Information and Application