On Saturday, women from around the area learned how to strike and kick their way to safety as part of a special self-defense seminar at Young Brothers Tae Kwon-Do studio in Cranberry.

Each participant at the event made a donation to the Victim Outreach Intervention Center, an Evans City-based nonprofit that provides free services to victims of rape, sexual assault and other crimes.

"It is important to us that we are supporting our community’s and reaching out to those most in need," said Audrey Gavula, head instructor for Young Brothers.

Gavula said the seminar raised $500 for VOICe. Saturday’s class taught women how to defend themselves from abuse, including sexual attacks.

"In attending this class the 37 participants were able to both support a worthy cause and gain a higher level personal safety," she said.

This is fourth year in a row the studio has conducted a benefit for the nonprofit. Since opening in the Pittsburgh area more than 40 years ago, Young Brothers Tae Kwon-Do, which opened its Cranberry location in 1993, has raised more than $500,000 for various charities, Gavula said.

Like Us on Facebook | Follow Us on Twitter

Check out some of today's other top stories here .