October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Each October, the Shelter for Help in Emergency recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a series of awareness opportunities designed to encourage conversation and bring attention to issues that touch our community as a whole but are often hidden in secrecy. Please visit the Shelter website and social media pages for more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Shelter activities.
September 30: DVAM at the Community Chalkboard
Stop by to visit with staff and volunteers at the Community Chalkboard/Freedom Wall on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall where they will be on hand to share messages of hope for survivors and offer resources to those experiencing domestic violence. Join us, grab a piece of chalk, and share your own messages of healing and resilience.
October 1-31: Social Media Awareness
Each day in October, the Shelter will post to its social media platforms to help raise awareness of issues surrounding domestic/intimate partner violence, offer self-care tips, and engage with the community.
October 3: Candlelight Vigil - Court Square Park, 7:00pm
This time is set aside to honor and remember victims and survivors of domestic violence. A reading of names will take place for the 85 victims in our community who lost their lives at the hands of an abuser since 1979.
October 20: Purple Thursday
Wear purple to show your support for survivors and for ending domestic violence. Share on social media using the hashtag #purplethursday
November 5: 5K Run/Walk for Shelter - Downtown Charlottesville, 8:00am
The run/walk begins on the Downtown Mall at 8am. Each in-person participant receives a long sleeve cotton race T-shirt featuring artwork from our Peace Begins at Home art contest, and an opportunity to win one of our fabulous grab bag prizes. Packet pickup will be offered on November 4 (8:30am – 6:30pm) at the Shelter for Help in Emergency’s Community Outreach Center. We are also offering our 5K family the option to participate in our 5K virtually. As a virtual 5K participant, you can complete your run anywhere and anytime during the month of October. You can run our course, pick your favorite course, walk around the neighborhood, or even step up on the treadmill. Online registration for both is available at RunSignUp.com.
