Author: Erica Torsiello

Thank you to everyone who lit their luminaries on December 5th for the 15th Annual Communities of Light Event. The luminaries are a powerful symbol that ” peace begins at home”, and help raise awareness about Womanspace’s presence in the community. No one should have to cope with domestic or sexual violence alone, and that’s why we’re here to help.

Luminary Lighting at Trenton Social.

East Windsor Municipal Building presenting Womanspace with the COL day proclamation.

The Lawrenceville School did an amazing job selling luminary kits, and lighting up main street in Lawrenceville.

Thank you to Hopewell Township for supporting COL.

Robbinsville Township presenting Womanspace’s Board Member Denise Taylor with their proclamation.

Princeton University’s Quadrangle Eating Club hosted a Ceremony for Communities of Light. Thank you!

Columbus Park in Trenton

The College of New Jersey lit up campus for the Annual Communities of Light Day!

Ewing Township lit up the walkways of the municipal building.

Help light up the community with Womanspace for our

15th Annual Communities of Light™ Event

December 5th, 2016

Link up – Illuminate- Light

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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 5, 2016, 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.

Lighting Locations in Mercer County for 2016

Robbinsville: 5PM at the Robbinsville Police Station
Address: 1117 Route 130 Robbinsville, NJ, 08691-3162. Phone: 609-918-0002

East Windsor: 5PM at East Windsor Municipal Building
80 One Mile Rd. East Windsor, NJ 08520

Ewing: 5PM at the Ewing Township Municipal Building
999 Lower Ferry Rd. Ewing, NJ 08628

Princeton: Lighting at Princeton University @ 4:30PM, Ceremony @5:45
33 Prospect Avenue, Quadrangle Eating Club

Trenton: Shiloh Baptist Church @ 5:30PM

West Windsor: 5PM Municipal Building & Police Department
271 Clarksville Rd. West Windsor, NJ 08550

Community Lightings:

Hamilton: Assemblyman Dan Benson at 5PM
Nottingham Way Hamilton Square, NJ
The Lawrenceville School at 4:30PM
Princeton Academy
Peddie School

Luminary Kit Retail Locations

Thank you to everyone who attended the 15th Annual Communities of Light Launch Event at the D&R Greenway Land Trust in Princeton to honor R. Barbara Gitenstein, President of The College of New Jersey. A special thanks to Firmenich to the delicious food donation and Terra Momo Restaurant Group for the wine. Dr. Amy Hecht gave a very moving and heartfelt speech addressing the needs for agencies such as Womanspace and how events such as communities of light really increase our visibility while bringing the community together.

Womanspace is grateful for the support of our sponsors: Doctors Express Urgent Care, PNC Bank, Capital Health, Mason, Griffin & Pierson, Gratitude Yoga, New Jersey Manufacturers, Princeton Orthopaedic Associates, Knipper Healthcare Marketing Solutions, Princeton Printers, and Firmenich.

Don’t forget to light your luminary candles at dusk on Monday, December 5th

Board President Chris Bukosky with Director of Development, Lauren Nazarian

Dr. Amy Hecht of The College of New Jersey giving her very heartfelt speech.

Board Member Ed Schmierer with Executive Director, Pat Hart and Womanspace Supporter.

All of the wonderful food donated by Firmenich and catered by Corner Bakery.

D&R Greenway Land Trust looks so beautiful when it’s lit up with our luminary kits. Thank you to the TCNJ students who helped put the kits together too.

Communities of Light Sponsor, New Jersey Manufactures.

Womanspace Volunteer, Halina joined by her husband.

TCNJ staff and Volunteers showing their support at the event.

Womanspace Board Member, Dana Fraytak Troiano joined by Lauren Nazarian, Gina Vinch and Beth Dempsey.

Board Member Rose Nini with Doctor’s Express Urgent Care Sponsor, Laura Fabbro.

Womanspace and Homefront are proud to partner on this important event that will help to raise awareness about sexual assault, harassment and social media. Please join us for a community screening of the critically acclaimed documentary AUDRIE & DAISY with discussion to follow.

About the film

AUDRIE & DAISY is an urgent real-life drama that examines the ripple effects on families, friends, schools and communities when two underage young women find that sexual assault crimes against them have been caught on camera. From acclaimed filmmakers Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk (The Island President, The Rape of Europa), AUDRIE & DAISY — which made its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival — takes a hard look at American’s teenagers who are coming of age in this new world of social media bullying, spun wildly out of control.

View the trailer below…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29Dr4ChJUBc