October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services will remember the victims who have died as a result of domestic violence during its annual Night of Remembrance. The candlelight vigil will be held on Thursday, October 24th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at 620 N. San Joaquin Street in Stockton, California. It is free to the public, and the community is invited to show its support and join us.
The Night of Remembrance will take place amongst a display of more than seventy life-sized, red silhouettes – silhouettes that, as part the Silent Witness National Initiative, represent victims from San Joaquin County who have been killed as a result of domestic violence. The Silent Witness National Initiative was introduced to our county in 2000, and today, it includes dozens of victims ranging in ages from 2 to 57. “Domestic violence is centered on power and control. It crosses all boundaries and can be multi-generational. These silhouettes illustrate the pervasive and tragic impact of domestic violence in families and our communities,” said Krista Fiser, CEO of Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services.
Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services is San Joaquin County’s primary provider of domestic violence services. In the last fiscal year alone, Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services:
- Provided more than 8,000 nights of emergency shelter and safety to victims and their children;
- Supported nearly 1,000 victims through individual and group counseling; and
- Comforted more than 90 children with one-on-one counseling through the “Just for Kids” program.
“Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services provides community education to help raise awareness of domestic violence and offers ongoing support to victims and their families. While we continue to educate the community and advocate for victims and survivors, this night is dedicated to honoring those who are no longer with us and provides a space for their loved ones to heal,” said Fiser.
The vigil will feature a reading of names of local victims. Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services welcomes family and friends of victims to attend and encourages them to reach out to Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services at (209) 941-2611 to find out how they can get involved in the vigil.
About Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services (WCYFS): Established in 1976, WCYFS exists to build a stronger community by fostering the strengths in individuals and by acting as a catalyst to end violence and youth homelessness. With multiple locations throughout San Joaquin County, including four homeless youth and domestic violence shelters, WCYFS serves 20,000 individuals annually. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, WCYFS relies on donations from the local community to supplement programmatic contracts and grants in order to continue providing the highest quality of services to those in need.