Womanspace’s ‘Communities of Light’ Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign to Illuminate Mercer County this Holiday Season

Trenton PBA Local #11 Providing Luminary Kits for Free to Trenton Residents

Trenton, N.J. – Mayor W. Reed Gusciora today announced Trenton’s continued participation in the annual Womanspace “Communities of Light” campaign, which promotes solidarity and essential resources for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Although the annual event will not be held at City Hall due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, residents across Mercer County can buy a luminary kit from a local vendor for their homes. Kits cost $10 but all proceeds will benefit Womanspace programs, which serve more than 12,000 adults and children who are impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.

Thanks to a generous donation from the Trenton PBA, Local #11, luminary kits will be available for free in City Hall for Trenton residents.

“Communities of Light shines a light on violence in Mercer County, we want to shine a light so brightly that everyone knows Womanspace is here to help clients and our county will not stand for violence anymore,” said Womanspace Director of Development, Lauren Nazarian. “Peace begins at home and to support this event by lighting luminaries is a very easy, lovely way to show your support for people living in violent homes and violent situations. Womanspace is here 24/7, 365 days a year providing support, counseling, housing, advocacy, legal assistance and so much more. Let’s share in this Communities of Light during this difficult time for everyone and hope that each day, violence decreases and one day Womanspace will no longer have a need to serve 12,000 women, men and children each year.”

Included in each luminary kit are supplies and safety instructions for assembling six luminary displays, which are recommended for sidewalks and lawns. Free kits may be obtained from the security desk on the Steward Alley side of City Hall at 319 East State Street in Trenton. They can also be purchased for $10 from the following list of vendors in Mercer County:

• Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Lawrence
  • Pennington Quality Market, 25 Route 31 South, Pennington
  • ERA Central Realty, 20 Main St., Robbinsville
  • Keller Williams, 2355 Route 33, Robbinsville
  • McCaffrey’s Princeton, 301 N. Harrison St., Princeton
  • McCaffrey’s West Windsor, 335 Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor
  • Dandelion Wishes, 45 W. Broad St., Hopewell
  • Old Hightstown Brewing Company, 123 W. Ward St., Hightstown

Kits are also sold at the Womanspace Administrative Office at 1530 Brunswick Ave in Lawrenceville. Visitors can call (609) 394-0136 to schedule a pickup.

“The Trenton PBA, Local #11 and Trenton SOA, Local #11A is proud to support the Womanspace ‘Communities of Light’ event, helping to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault,” said President Michael A. Schiaretti from Trenton PBA, Local #11. “The officers of the Trenton Police Department know full well the negative impact both domestic violence and sexual assault has on victims and their friends and family. The Trenton PBA and SOA values the services and support offered by Womanspace and we look forward to continuing to partner with them in the future.”

“Womanspace’s tagline ‘Peace Begins at Home’ resonates more deeply now than ever, as the City urges its citizens to stay home and protect themselves from COVID-19,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Although we cannot gather in person to build awareness for this noble campaign, we will continue to support members of our community facing these issues during their extended time at home. I strongly support the mission and goals of Womanspace and hope to see our City made brighter on December 7.”

For more information on Communities of Light, Womanspace and their services go to https://womanspace.org/events/communities-of-light-2/.