In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Family & Children's Service of Niagara is coordinating the fourth annual Domestic Violence Ribbon Walk at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10. The walk will begin at the corner of Main and Third streets in Niagara Falls.
Following brief remarks, the participants will take a collective stand against DV as they walk down Third Street tying purple ribbons on the trees between Main and Niagara streets.
Participants are asked to wear purple for the Ribbon Walk.
Awareness is the theme, as event organizers stated one in four women are victims of domestic violence. They stated awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence educates the community about the services available, and brings people hope. Additionally, 98 percent of survivors served in Passage reported they now feel more hopeful about the future.
In 2016, Passage House Domestic Violence Services answered more than 500 calls on the 24/7 domestic violence hotline (716-299-0909) and provided shelter to an average of nine survivors and their children per day.
Immediately following the ribbon walk, the public is invited to experience a survivor art exhibit at Wine on Third, 501 Third St. The theme of the art exhibit this year is "Permission Canvases & Affirmations from a Birdie." The artwork was created by adults and children of Passage House shelter, the only domestic violence shelter in Niagara Falls. The exhibit will be on display throughout October. The event is free and open to the public.
Founded in 1895, Family & Children's Service of Niagara, a private, nonprofit agency, has been providing the residents of Niagara County with a wide range of community social work services for 122 years. The agency has been providing domestic violence services in the Niagara community for more than 30 years. In 1989, Family & Children's Service opened Passage House, the first fully staffed domestic violence shelter for abused women and their children in Niagara Falls.
