Local festival brings awareness to domestic violence

With October being National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Warner Robins Salvation Army Safe House hosted a Community Awareness Festival Saturday morning at Fountain Park. Attendees enjoyed free food and activities, as well as received valuable information about the services that the safe house provides.

Jacqueline Herrera, executive director of the Salvation Army Safe House, said the purpose of the festival was to get information out to the community about the shelter being available and that they also offer a lot of support services to anyone who is trying to break that cycle of violence.

“We really want the community to know that we’re here for them and if they’re ready to leave, we can help them financially and we can help them look for housing and employment. There are so many things that we can offer them,” she said. “We have an 18-bed facility for emergency shelter for victims who are needing emergency shelter if they’re leaving their domestic violence situation.”

To contact Herrera, call (478) 923-2348 or contact the 24-Hour Crisis Line at (478) 923-6294.

She noted they also wanted to bring awareness to the candlelight vigil that will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warner Robins.

Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority Inc. brought 20 volunteers to assist at the festival. Sorority member Yolanda Rhyne said they’re going to be a part of anything that helps to make the community a better place.

“Women of service being of service,” she commented.

Other agencies at the festival included First Choice Primary, which provided information on health care, and an Avon representative, who donated part of their proceeds to the safe house. Also, a group donated personal care items.

HHJ News