Program News 2007
Good Shepherd’s Safe Homes Project Marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Vigil
The Safe Homes Project (SHP), Good Shepherd's community-based multi-service domestic violence program, held a candlelight vigil on a recent Friday evening in memory of Brooklyn residents murdered by abusive partners over the past year. For the past fourteen years, SHP has held this vigil every October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Following the reading of the names of the dead, the assembled crowd of community members, which included the Young Women's Leadership group from our Family Reception Center, carried their candles to the Park Slope United Methodist Church to hear from survivors, SHP staff and local representatives. "We are here tonight," said SHP Program Director Catherine Hodes, "to remember those who were lost, honor those who survived, and support those who continue to struggle with domestic violence."
One of the survivors who addressed the audience spoke of how she came to SHP after by chance seeing the hotline number on Brooklyn Community Access Television at a moment when she was actively contemplating suicide. With support and counseling, she ultimately was able to realize that, in the words of one of her counselors, "All survivors are winners."
New York State Assembly Member James Brennan, a supporter of SHP since its earliest days when domestic violence was still largely a hidden problem, called the program "An important force in Park Slope, Brooklyn and New York State in bringing domestic violence out of the shadows and into the light of social awareness." Also in attendance was Brooklyn's Deputy Borough President Yvonne J. Graham, who thanked SHP for "Making Brooklyn a better place to live, work and raise a family."
The Safe Homes Project offers crisis intervention, safety planning, legal advocacy, counseling and emergency shelter and other resources for women who have experienced domestic violence and their children.
October, 19, 2007
