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empowerhouse candlelight vigil
celebration of fellowship By kathleen harrigan
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. This month is also known for Breast Cancer, Mental Health, and Autism awareness, as well as many other observances. It is both a good and a bad thing to live in a culture where a special awareness month is needed to draw attention to an issue. Most of these important causes deserve our attention year-round. However, an awareness month disconnects us from our dependence upon the news cycle and encourages us to focus our attention, listen, learn, and even take action.
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On October 25th, Empowerhouse staff and community members will gather for our 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil to honor and remember the survivors of domestic violence in our lives. We hope you will join us. It is so much more than a memorial service. Kathy Anderson, Executive Director of Empowerhouse, recently described it as a "celebration, an opportunity for fellowship, and a representation of the heart of our work. For the past 44 years, Empowerhouse has been the local nonprofit organization supporting survivors of domestic violence and their children in Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties, and the City of Fredericksburg. Every month is busy as we answer calls to our 24-hour, confidential Hotline (540-373-9373), provide shelter and housing support and court advocacy. We also reach out to children and youth across our community with programs about healthy relationships, as well as offer many other services. During the past year, over 3,700 women, children, and men were in our care for one or more of the free services provided to victims of domestic violence. Each year, the Vigil is held in one of the localities served by Empowerhouse. It is an opportunity to hear directly from several survivors of domestic violence, learn about their path, share in their pain and the strength, and feel their courage. At each of the past Empowerhouse Vigils I have attended, I have come away filled with hope, love, and an appreciation of the staff at Empowerhouse and the community within which we are all supported. I am reminded that you never know the burdens or dreams the person next to you is carrying, nor the full extent of the potential support surrounding you. Many of you reading this article have supported
During the past year, over Empowerhouse 3,700 women, children, and men during its long were of in our care for one or more the free services provided history serving our community. You have to victims of domestic violence. volunteered, donated, served on the staff or board, or been part of one of the many partner organizations or localities. I'd like to extend an invitation to each of you to join us at the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil. This year, it will be held in the City of Fredericksburg on Tuesday, October 25th at 718 Venue (718 Caroline Street) from 4 - 6 pm. Be part of the fellowship of our community supporting survivors of domestic violence. Kathleen Harrigan serves on the Board of Empowerhouse to encourage healthy relationships and amplify the voices of survivors of domestic violence across our community. 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil To honor and remember the survivors of domestic violence in our lives October 25, 718 Venue, 4-6 6p To learn more about Empowerhouse and ways you can be involved visit our website at empowerhouseva.org or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.