BHcare's Umbrella Center to hold 18th annual vigil in New Haven

To raise awareness of domestic violence
BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will hold a vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence. 

The 18th Annual Sound of Hope will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at Long Wharf Pier, New Haven.
The vigil will include the reading of names of those who have died as a result of domestic violence.

Each person will receive a flower to toss into the harbor. The flowers represent the hopes and struggles of the survivors as they strive to become free from violence.

The flower also gently reminds us of the lives that have been taken from us due to domestic violence.

Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring to light an issue that effects all of our communities.

Every nine seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S. One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

Police to receive recognition awards

Pilar Gonzalez, Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, will be guest speaker and members of local police departments will be recognized for their role in the fight against domestic violence.

The 2017 Police Recognition awards include Officers Maria Frey, Officer Kate Bruno and Capt. Vaughan Dumas of the Milford Police Department; Detective. Freddy Salmeron, Detective Mike Torre, Officer Maegan Moran, Officer Matthew Vernik, Officer Brandon Cain, Officer Joshua Smereczynsky, Officer David Simpson, and Lt. Renee Dominguez of the New Haven Police Department; Detective Craig Casman, Detective Jonathan Suraci, Officer Audrey Jefferson and Officer Kimberly Paris of the West Haven Police Department, and Officer Meredith Anderson of the Guilford Police Department.

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call 203-736-2601, x1381, or visit www.bhcare.org.
If you need immediate assistance, please call the 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge.
Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope.

Learn more at bhcare.org.


This is a press release from BHcare.