Aiming to shine a light on domestic violence, East Windsor officials are inviting residents to bring luminary kits – candles in a bag – to the municipal building for the annual Communities of Light event on Dec. 3.
Communities of Light is set for 5 p.m. at the municipal building, 16 Lanning Blvd. The event is a key fundraiser for Womanspace, a nonprofit organization that provides support for women, children and men who are victims of domestic violence.
A luminary kit, which contains six candles and a bag in which to put them, costs $10. It may be purchased at the police/court building at 80 One Mile Road at any time.
The goal of Communities of Light is to raise public awareness about domestic violence and the availability of counseling and other resources for victims through Womanspace. Money generated by the sale of the luminary kits will benefit Womanspace.
East Windsor Mayor Janice S. Mironov said Communities of Light in East Windsor offers residents a chance to join with elected officials to raise money for Womanspace. The organization does a “fantastic job” providing resources for the victims of domestic violence, from shelter to food and clothing and counseling, she said.
“Whether we want to admit it or not, (domestic violence) exists in all of our communities across this country,” Mironov said.
That is why Womanspace is such an important resource for victims, she said.
“(Womanspace) provides a way where individuals who are in this terrible situation (and) who feel trapped have an opportunity and hope they can get out of that situation,” Mironov said.
Womanspace’s resources include Domestic Violence Victims Response Teams that meet with victims at a police department upon request. Trained volunteers provide support and resources to victims. The first team was formed in East Windsor many years ago.
Similar services are provided to victims of sexual assault through the Sexual Assault Support Advocates program, also offered by trained volunteers. They may accompany a victim to the hospital, for example.
Womanspace, which is based in Lawrence Township, also offers counseling for victims on a family, group or individual basis. It also helps to guide victims through the restraining order process, which keeps abusers away from victims, in Mercer County Family Court.
Womanspace has its roots in the Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women, which was created in 1976. During the initial public meetings, the issue of domestic violence quickly came to the forefront.
As a result of those meetings, a proposal was developed to provide services to women in crisis. The effort was spearheaded by the late Barbara Boggs Sigmund, who was sitting on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders. She later became mayor of the former Princeton Borough.
Through its many programs over the past four decades, Womanspace has helped more than 71,393 women, 13,717 children and 5,153 men who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.