On October 17th, I joined the fourth annual "Shine the Light" walk in solidarity" sponsored by the Center for Safety and Change. This organization serves both domestic violence victims, survivors, and family members. We began in Nyack, while Westchester agencies, advocates, and others came together at midspan on the Tappan Zee Bridge to honor and remember the victims and survivors of domestic violence.
The sun shone brightly, and the Hudson sparkled like diamonds as we walked two by two toward the center of the bridge. We were so engaged in dialogue that it seemed like we arrived mid-span on the bridge in no time. Seeing all the people who turned out to support this cause was uplifting. We all dressed in purple to highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Speaker after speaker, many with first-hand experience, testified to their knowledge of surviving, knowing someone who had not survived, and working with survivors. There was a surge of enthusiasm when the Rockland and Westchester groups met in the middle. Our coming together on the bridge exemplified how we come together to support safety for all. We learned of this event through our connection to Moms Demand Action.
The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Anti-Gun Violence Committee has partnered with Moms Demand Action to support community-based organizations with a shared vision, such as the Center for Safety and Change. Moms Demand Action advocates for gun safety. The Center for Safety and Change offers programs and services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes. As we know, it’s all connected. Each of the six women killed in Rockland County domestic violence incidents over the last year was shot. Organizations with similar goals are considered allies. So, Dominican Sisters is allied with Moms Demand, Moms Demand is allied with the Center for Safety and Change, and the Center for Safety and Change is allied with My Sisters Place and other agencies that serve domestic violence survivors. Just as the causes of violence are all connected, so are the organizations that work together to bring healing, hope, and safety. We have each other's back; collectively, we have the back of all those who long for peace.
Before the walk, I spoke with Phyllis Frank, Chief Program Officer at the Center for Safety and Change. Phyllis knows our Sisters Mary Dunning, Margo Saich, Ursula Joyce, and Adele Myers (RIP, 2015) well. Her face lit up with a bright smile as she recalled these “Founding Mothers” of the Center, formerly the Rockland Family Shelter. In 1977, they brought the first family needing a “safe house” to the Dominican Sisters Convent into their local Antioch community. This was the first of several families the Sisters helped while also being part of the Rockland Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, which supported the opening of the Rockland Family Shelter, now the Center for Safety and Change. We continue walking together, over 45 years later, still on a mission to keep people safe. We all long for the day when this event will not be necessary; when the light shines so brightly that no darkness of violence remains. Until then, we keep on going.
Let’s work together to shine a light on domestic violence and help put an end to it. Every action matters; you can make a meaningful difference by getting involved. Each of the organizations featured in this article offers numerous ways for you to participate and contribute.
– Sister Jeanne Shary, OP
Sister Jeanne serves as Communication Coordinator for the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill after a career in recreation therapy with various populations.