Ceremonies planned to raise awareness of domestic violence
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
To raise awareness of domestic violence and its victims, Providence House Domestic Violence Services of Catholic Charities will host “Community of Light” ceremonies in Ocean and Burlington counties.
This is the third year that the agency has hosted the events, which aim to educate the public and to offer hope and support to victims of abuse. “People need to know where to go for help, and the community needs to be aware of the issue,” stated Providence House of Ocean County Community Liaison Marcia Fishkin. “A lot of people don’t even want to talk about domestic violence,” she added.
Fishkin noted that Providence House of Ocean County served approximately 2,145 clients in 2008 and received 2,000 hotline calls.
“Our numbers are increasing every year,” she stated. Fishkin added that 75% of victims suffering from domestic violence do not report it, but requests for shelter are increasing due to the financial strain of the economy.
At the ceremonies, hope and awareness will arrive in the form of candles from luminary kits, which were assembled by volunteers and are being sold as a fundraiser. A single kit costs $10 and contains six candles, sand and a white bag through which the light of the candle will shine. The candles – which will be illuminated during the ceremonies – symbolize the solidarity that a frightened victim and their children will need to seek for assistance.
All proceeds from the sale of the kits will be dedicated to various programs at Providence House including individual and group counseling, children’s therapy, an emergency safe house, a 24-hour hotline, legal advocacy and community education, and training programs.
The first event will be held Dec. 3 on the campus of Georgian Court University. Attendees will gather at 5 p.m. at the Peace Pole, adjacent to the Arts & Science Center. Georgian Court University is located at 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood.
The second ceremony will be held Dec. 13 at Ocean County College, College Drive, Toms River, and will commence at 5 p.m. Attendees should gather at the Administration Building. Information is available by calling (732) 255-0400.
Fishkin noted that this is the first year that Ocean County College is participating, adding that awareness is crucial to the college population.
“College students are young and need to be educated about the problems and dangers and where they can go for help,” she said.
Information on the events and how to purchase the luminary kits is available by contacting Marcia Fishkin at (732) 350-2120, ext. 233, or by email at [email protected].
Providence House of Burlington County is also planning a ceremony for Dec. 13. Information is available by contacting Ruth Jackson at (856) 824-0599.
Related Stories
Thursday, December 18, 2025
E-Editions
Events
To raise awareness of domestic violence and its victims, Providence House Domestic Violence Services of Catholic Charities will host “Community of Light” ceremonies in Ocean and Burlington counties.
This is the third year that the agency has hosted the events, which aim to educate the public and to offer hope and support to victims of abuse. “People need to know where to go for help, and the community needs to be aware of the issue,” stated Providence House of Ocean County Community Liaison Marcia Fishkin. “A lot of people don’t even want to talk about domestic violence,” she added.
Fishkin noted that Providence House of Ocean County served approximately 2,145 clients in 2008 and received 2,000 hotline calls.
“Our numbers are increasing every year,” she stated. Fishkin added that 75% of victims suffering from domestic violence do not report it, but requests for shelter are increasing due to the financial strain of the economy.
At the ceremonies, hope and awareness will arrive in the form of candles from luminary kits, which were assembled by volunteers and are being sold as a fundraiser. A single kit costs $10 and contains six candles, sand and a white bag through which the light of the candle will shine. The candles – which will be illuminated during the ceremonies – symbolize the solidarity that a frightened victim and their children will need to seek for assistance.
All proceeds from the sale of the kits will be dedicated to various programs at Providence House including individual and group counseling, children’s therapy, an emergency safe house, a 24-hour hotline, legal advocacy and community education, and training programs.
The first event will be held Dec. 3 on the campus of Georgian Court University. Attendees will gather at 5 p.m. at the Peace Pole, adjacent to the Arts & Science Center. Georgian Court University is located at 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood.
The second ceremony will be held Dec. 13 at Ocean County College, College Drive, Toms River, and will commence at 5 p.m. Attendees should gather at the Administration Building. Information is available by calling (732) 255-0400.
Fishkin noted that this is the first year that Ocean County College is participating, adding that awareness is crucial to the college population.
“College students are young and need to be educated about the problems and dangers and where they can go for help,” she said.
Information on the events and how to purchase the luminary kits is available by contacting Marcia Fishkin at (732) 350-2120, ext. 233, or by email at [email protected].
Providence House of Burlington County is also planning a ceremony for Dec. 13. Information is available by contacting Ruth Jackson at (856) 824-0599.