DV Awareness Month Events 2023

[Spartanburg, SC – September 26, 2023]  Project R.E.S.T., a Spartanburg-based nonprofit organization working to restore, empower, support, and transform those affected by domestic and sexual violence, is hosting a series of events throughout October to raise awareness of domestic violence and stand in solidarity with survivors.

The events include:

• Union Candlelight Vigil: On October 5th, 4-5 p.m., Project R.E.S.T. will host a candlelight vigil at the Carnegie Library located at 300 E. South St. Union. 

• Proclamation at Spartanburg City Hall: On October 9th, Mayor Jerome Rice will issue a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Spartanburg. The ceremony will be held at Spartanburg City Hall at 5 PM. 
• Spartanburg Candlelight Vigil: On October 12th, 5-6 p.m., Project R.E.S.T. will host a candlelight vigil in Morgan Square in downtown Spartanburg. This is the 26th year Project R.E.S.T. has hosted the Spartanburg vigil, a time to remember those who lost their lives to domestic violence and to show support for survivors and their families.  
• Kite Festival: On October 14th, Project R.E.S.T. will be the featured non-profit agency at Chapman Cultural Center’s Spartanburg Soaring! International Kite Festival.  Project R.E.S.T. will have booths where attendees can decorate kites with messages of hope for survivors. The event will be held at Barnet Park, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
• Cherokee Candlelight Vigil: On Tuesday, October 24th, 5:30-6:30pm., Project R.E.S.T. will partner with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in Gaffney to host a domestic violence awareness event. The event will be held at 205 N. Limestone St. Gaffney

“Domestic violence isn’t someone else’s problem. It is a cancer in our communities which tears families apart, forces victims to live in fear, robs people of their potential, and eats away the moral infrastructure of our society,” said Project R.ES.T. President/CEO Krystal W. Smith. “It is up to us as a community, a society of good people, to look this issue square in the face and say, ‘No More! We envision a society free of domestic and sexual violence. Working together, we can realize this vision. It begins with showing up and standing up for victims and survivors.” 

Show Your Support:

Project R.E.S.T. encourages everyone to attend their events in October and learn more about how they can help. There are several ways to show your support:

• Attend an event: Attend one or more of the events listed above to show your support for survivors of domestic violence.
• Donate: Project R.E.S.T. relies on donations from the community to provide essential services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. You can donate by mail to 236 Union Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, online at projectrest.org, or purchase items on their Amazon wishlist by visiting projectrest.org
• Volunteer: Project R.E.S.T. is always in need of volunteers. There are many ways to get involved, such as volunteering in their office, helping with fundraising events, serving on their crisis line or providing support services for survivors. Contact info@projectrest.org for more information on Project R.E.S.T. volunteer opportunities. 

Domestic violence is a serious problem in communities across the country, but it’s not insurmountable. By working together, we can create a safer and more supportive community for everyone.