The Hands Project

Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Welcomes Your Partnership As We Work Together To END ABUSE & VIOLENCE

Any movement must start by getting people to think about the issue(s). The best way to get them to think about it is to let them see it. in other words, the reverse of "out of sight, out of mind," is "in sight, in mind."

To reach the hearts and minds of people, you have to get your message in front of them as often as possible. This is precisely why we chose to adopt such a simple pledge, and to back it with a simple logo (a purple hand with a red heart in the palm) because it is easy to display anywhere and everywhere. And it is a visual teaching tool which allows people to connect with and communicate their feelings about abuse and violence.

The official Hands Project support materials are an integral part of the Purple Hands Pledge.
We realize that many schools and organizations may not have the budget to cover materials and suggest
encouraging the cooperation of local businesses, parent groups, civic organizations, etc...
to help sponsor your program by purchasing Hand's Project materials.

click here for Official Hands Project Support Materials

Our goal is to provide opportunities for all people and every family to participate in the pledge.

The Hands Project is designed to work in partnership with all abuse and violence prevention, conflict resolution, character building skills programs.

The color purple is our national color that is used to remember and honor victims of abuse and violence.

• The Purple Hand Red Heart Logo Must Not Be Altered Or Changed.
Our logo represents the Hands Project's Pledge and must go hand in hand to visually connect the Pledge with the Hands Project. Our logo also provides an opportunity to visually connect as a family, school, community, state and nation our united effort to support each other as we work together to end abuse and violence.

• Do Not Change The Wording Of The Pledge (example: "I will use my hands for helping..."). The Hands Pledge directly addresses verbal and physical violence of any kind therefore providing opportunities to open discussion regarding abuse and violence and to make a conscious choice not to participate in any form of violence whether it be self directed or otherwise.

• Verbal Repetition Of The Pledge Reinforces Positive Behavior - Recite Daily!

• Each Individual Who Takes The Pledge Will:
- Trace their hand on purple paper
(The color PURPLE must be used to remember and honor victims of abuse and violence).
- Cut out their hand print and sign their name and age on the hand print.

• The Purple Hand Should Be Displayed In A Prominent Permanent Place In the Home, Child Care Facility, School, Hospital, Business, Agency, Place of Worship, etc. As A Visual Reminder Of Their Pledge.

For Example: At the elementary school level, make two hands; one hand print is kept in the classroom; the other can be displayed in unity with the entire student body and staff hand prints in a visual way which is meaningful to your particular school. Invite parents to join in by sending them a letter and a purple pledge sheet. The parents can return their hand print to school and it can be displayed along with the staff and the students' hand prints or display them in their home. This also applies to the middle and high school level as well as the places mentioned above.

• Do Not Take The Purple Hand Down; It Must Be Left Up As A Constant Visual Reminder.

• Please do not make pre-made "generic" HANDS for Pledging as each Purple Hand is unique to the individual it represents. Tracing their hand is a positive action which represents tangible evidence of their personal commitment.

• It Is Important To Have Enough Hands Project Brochures and Other Educational/Visual Materials To Implement The Program.
Purchase enough brochures so that all staff members at your school, business or agency have access to the brochures. The brochure contains our core message and mission statement and the visual (logo) connects the pledge to the message. Additional materials are available for purchase to promote awareness and continuation of the Hands Project.

These materials include: booklet/information packets, music CD, magnets, buttons, bumper stickers, peel-off stickers, family and newborn certificates, t-shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, and banners. Photos of all of our materials and our order form can be found here.

The banner provides a daily visual reminder when displayed in your school or building. Keeping the Pledge and the Purple Hands visible for everyone to see every day is imperative.

These Purple Hands represent a place where everyone can feel safe!

We must have feedback on how Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting was implemented and the results that occurred. It is important for us to document your results after implementing the Hands Project using our guidelines for effectiveness. Your feedback helps provide information and ideas that we can share to inspire others, to track locations where the Pledge is being done and to help us further the Hands Project's mission. We depend and rely on your assistance.

NOTICE:
Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting's name and logo are copyrighted and trademarked and may not be reproduced or distributed without the expressed written consent of Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting.

click here for Official Hands Project Support Materials

Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project®
Hospitals and Birthing Centers Labor & Delivery Departments

PURPOSE:
• To collaborate with schools, faith community, childcare facilities, youth organizations, government agencies, businesses, etc., in participating with the "Hands Are Not For Hurting Project"® in your community

• To educate new parents and their children about their moral and legal
RIGHT TO LIVE FREE OF ABUSE & VIOLENCE

• To meet education objectives of nurturing family bonds, developing parenting skills, and preventing child abuse. Implementation would involve three steps:
A) Awareness of the Hands Project - prenatal thru the Family Education Program
B) Support of the Hands Project during the discharge class on the Mother Baby Unit
C) Distribution of printed materials and the opportunity for families to sign the Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Pledge while in the hospital

FORMAT:
• The HANDS Project is explained in the pre-registration / prenatal materials given to new parents. It is explained that they will have the opportunity to take the pledge and trace their hands on a Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Newborn Pledge Certificate after their baby is born.

• The HANDS Project is explained during the Prenatal Birth Classes offered by the Hospital or Birthing Center. Ideally, OB/GYN Medical Staff and Lamaze instructors would also cover this explanation.

• Participation in the project will be voluntary.

• The staff will display their Pledges and will be posted in Labor & Delivery or a place meaningful to your particular facility. The purpose is to provide visual impetus in the Unit for others to participate.

• If a family wishes to participate, each parent will trace his or her hand on an official Hands Project Newborn Pledge Certificate upon which the Pledge will be imprinted. A replica of a baby’s hand print will be centered beneath the Pledge; this represents the parents guiding their child by example.

• Upon discharge every family will receive a magnet, a brochure which includes the message and Purple Hand/Red Heart Logo: "Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting" and the small plush Purple Pledge Bear, regardless of whether they participated in taking the pledge.

PROJECTED COST: Printing prenatal information

• Purple marking pens
• Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Magnets
• Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Brochures
• Purple Pledge Bear
• Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Newborn Pledge Certificates
• Envelopes for materials
• Volunteer staff laminate and preserve the Pledge Certificates following signing
• The certificate will be sent home for framing and posting in a prominent place