Author: Erica Torsiello

Special thanks to the hundreds of Mercer County residents (and beyond) that supported Communities of Light from the Launch in October to the lighting in December. Supporters sold luminaries to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, coordinated lightings in their neighborhood, workplace, home, community park or school. This year, hundreds of candles were lit throughout Mercer County and sent the message that “Peace Begins at Home.”

With the support of New Jersey’s and Mercer County’s leadership, Womanspace brings domestic violence to the forefront with the Communities of Light campaign. All municipalities proclaimed Monday, December 7, 2015 as Community of Lights Day. East Windsor, Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell Township, Pennington, Princeton, Robbinsville, Lawrenceville and West Windsor held lighting ceremonies in their township. The lighting of luminaries shine a bright light in neighborhoods and municipalities throughout the county reminding us that domestic violence is taking place in our community. Students, parents and teachers at Princeton University, The Lawrenceville School, Villa Victoria, Peddie School, and Notre Dame High School illuminated their schools with luminaries.

The support of the neighborhood coordinators and Retailers who sell the luminary kits are crucial to the success of Communities of Light. With their help, Womanspace is able to reach more members of the community. Please see the lists of retailers and neighborhood coordinators who supported and participated in Communities of Light.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, the costs of Communities of Light are minimal, meaning that nearly 100% of the proceeds raised in this event directly benefit programs and ensure that no victim is ever turned away.

Luminary lighting along the sidewalk on Main Street in Lawrenceville

Womanspace staff and friends gathered at Weeden Park in Lawrenceville for a lighting

The Trenton Social supported Womanspace by lighting luminary kits and donating 10% of their food and drink sales to Womanspace on December 7th. Thank you Trenton Social!

The Princeton Methodist Church lit up for Communities of Light

West Windsor Township law enforcement and council people showing their support for Womanspace

West Windsor Municipal Building

TCNJ lit up their campus

YMCA centennial

Mediterra in Princeton

Teresa’s  Café in Princeton 

Simon Shore and Jake Zabaleta lit up The Lawrenceville School and all of Main Street in Lawrenceville. Thank you for your continued support!

Princeton Battle of Monument lit up with luminary kits

The stairs leading into the Nassau Inn lit up for Communities of Light

Princeton Municipal Complex

Hamilton Municipal Building

Avalon Run in Ewing lit up their club house

Illuminating the Night to Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Help light up the community with Womanspace for our

14th Annual Communities of Light™ Event

December 7th, 2015

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During the winter solstice in December, Communities of Light™ (COL) candles line the streets of central New Jersey – a powerful symbol of hope for women and children impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. Communities of Light raises awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault and the services available to help victims in Mercer County. The candles come from luminary kits which help spread our important message that Peace Begins at Home.

Each year, more than 200 volunteers sell, distribute and display the luminary kits. Volunteers sell the luminary kits to their friends, neighbors and co-workers. Participants can also buy the kits from a variety of local retail stores and online (this option will be available at the end of September). If you would like to help Womanspace by selling luminary kits read more on our COL Volunteer page.

At dusk on Monday, December 7, 2015, hundreds of people, scores of organizations and community groups, and the municipalities within Mercer County will light thousand of their candles. Each luminary kit costs $10 and includes supplies and safety instructions for assembling 6 luminary displays to cover 150 linear feet. Kits will be available for purchase this fall at various retail locations throughout Mercer County.

100% of all proceeds from event sponsorships, luminary kit sales and donations to Communities of Light benefit Womanspace programs that serve over 10,000 adults and children each year, who are impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Click here for more information about becoming a COL Sponsor.

It is our hope that families who struggle with violence in their homes will see that their community stands with them and learn that help is available. In order to succeed, we need the support of the Mercer County community; supporters can contact Lauren Nazarian, Director of Development, at (609) 394-0136 or at lan@womanspace.org. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Susan Adams at 609-394-0136 or at saa@womanspace.org.

For lighting places and times click here

Stop by one of our retail locations to purchase your luminary kits

The Front Porch- Pennington, NJ

Doctors Express Urgent Care- Hamilton, NJ

McCaffery’s- Princeton, NJ

McCaffery’s- West Windsor, NJ

Weidel Realtors- Princeton, NJ

Pennington Quality Market- Pennington, NJ

Terhune Orchards- Princeton, NJ

Gratitude Yoga- Princeton, NJ

Great Looks 4 Less- Lawrenceville, NJ

West Windsor Police Department and Municipal Building- West Windsor, NJ

East Windsor Police Department and Municipal Building- East Windsor, NJ

Womanspace’s Administrative office- Lawrenceville, NJ

To purchase luminary kits online click here!

2015 Communities of Light Sponsors

In Kind Sponsors

Join Womanspace at Princeton Academy of Martial Arts for a 2-hour Self Defense Workshop

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

7- 9 PM

Princeton Academy of Martial Arts

51 Everett Dr, A50

Princeton Junction, NJ 08550

Open to anyone, ages 14&up
Taught by experienced instructors at the Princeton Academy of Martial Arts.

To Register
Phone:  609-452-2208

All proceeds will benefit Womanspace.

Click here to download the printer friendly flyer