In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness month, Womanspace is set to launch the Communities of Light Peace Begins At Home campaign each October.
The campaign is set to begin Oct. 29 and culminates with a county wide luminary lighting Dec. 9, which serves as symbol of hope for those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault in our community.
Communities of Light is scheduled to launch with a free public reception on 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at St. Paul’s Church, 214 Nassau St., Princeton. Children’s Choir of St. Paul’s Church is set to perform.
Seating at the reception is limited and registration is required by Oct. 28. To register call (609) 394-0136.
This year, Womanspace has named a diverse group of members from the faith based community who have actively advocated platforms of non-violence as Honorary Chairs. The group includes Rev. David Davis of Nassau Presbyterian Church, Rev. Teresa Ely of Hamilton Square Baptist Church, Rabbi Daniel Grossman of Adath Israel Congregation, Rev. Karen Hernández-Granzen of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Rev. René Rory John of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
Mercer County residents can participate in Communities of Light by purchasing a luminary kit and lighting it Dec. 9.
The lighting of luminaries throughout the county is Womanspace’s way of increasing local awareness of both the ongoing presence of domestic and sexual violence in our community and the Womanspace mission to serve its victims at the moment of crisis and throughout their journey of healing.
Each luminary kit costs $10 and includes supplies and safety instructions for assembling six luminary displays to cover 150 linear feet. Kits are set to be sold at the launch event, as well as several retail locations throughout the county and online.
One-hundred percent of the proceeds from luminary kit sales and donations to Communities of Light benefit Womanspace programs that serve adults and children, who are impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking.
Last year, Womanspace served over 11,000 people. Services include emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, victim assistance and transitional housing.
More information is online at womanspace.org.
