COLUMBUS – Steps To HOPE in Columbus is encouraging all women to take advantage of its free program, “Fight Like a Girl,” a self-defense class.

The program begins its second round on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 6-7 p.m. in the downstairs of Steps To HOPE, located in Columbus.

The eight week class is designed for women and teaches them self-defense techniques and skills.

The instructor is Adam Palmer, who is a U.S. Army veteran, fitness guru and personal trainer, as well as a husband and father.

Palmer agreed to donate his time to Steps to HOPE because he said he believes all women should be able to defend themselves. Palmer created his own programs based on his personal experiences and his extensive fitness and combat training.

Amber Fincher-McEntire, who recently attended the classes in July and August, said she encourages all women to leap on this opportunity to take the class in the future.

“As an instructor, Adam brings a lot of life into the subject at hand with an array of knowledge and encouragement to boot,” Fincher-McEntire said. “I now have a figurative toolbox of ways to protect myself and others that I did not previously possess.”

Mom and daughter teams or individuals are all encouraged to attend. Women under age 18 will need a parent to sign up.

Call Jessical Powell, outreach program coordinator at Steps to HOPE, at 828-894-2340 or email her at Jessica@stepstohope.org to sign up.

Steps to HOPE is the domestic violence and sexual assault treatment and prevention center serving western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina, located at 60 Ward St., Columbus.