ANTI-VIOLENCE WEEK SET WORLDWIDE EFFORT AIMS TO CREATE SAFER COMMUNITIES.

Byline: Nathaniel Greely Staff Writer

The Glendale YWCA will celebrate a ``Week Without Violence'' starting today, as part of an international campaign to create safer communities by seeking practical alternatives to violence.

Each day through Saturday will focus on a different aspect of the problem of violence.

``We hope to create an awareness of the role of the individual in creating a nonviolent community,'' said Vivian Jojola, YWCA volunteer coordinator. ``Nonviolence is much more than just the absence of violence - it requires a determination in each individual to create a safer, healthier community.''

The weeklong event will take place in forty different countries. Each community will use the same daily themes and create activities that best suit the specific needs of their community. The Glendale activities are as follows:

--Today: ``A Day of Remembrance''- Local religious institutions will be encouraged to include a remembrance in their services for victims of violence.

--Monday: ``Keeping Our Children Safe''- The Glendale Police Department's COPPS program will provide free identification fingerprinting for children from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the YWCA, 735 E. Lexington Drive. To register, call [phone].

--Tuesday: ``Making Our Schools Safer''- Presentations on preventing violence will be given in local schools by YWCA staff members. For information, call [phone].

--Wednesday: ``Confronting Violence Against Women''- The Domestic Violence Project will host an open house at the Women's Service Center for other community agencies to help raise awareness and showcase some of the center's services for women. For information, call [phone].

--Thursday: ``Facing Violence Amongst Men''- Robert Lynn Allen will host a workshop titled ``Circle of Love and Empowerment: Virtues to Promote Self-Esteem and Prevent Violence'' from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 735 E. Lexington Drive. For information, call [phone].

--Friday: ``Eliminating Racism and Hate Crimes''- A coffeehouse gathering will showcase poetry, songs and readings regarding racism, sexism, homophobia and hate crimes. The mike will be open to anyone with a poem or a song from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 735 E. Lexington Drive. For information, call [phone].

--Saturday: ``Replacing Violence with Sports and Recreation''- The Week Without Violence will end with a free open swim session at the YWCA, 735 E. Lexington Drive from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call [phone].