A Burlington-based domestic violence prevention and assistance organization is holding a number of community events this October in recognition of “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” and is inviting everyone to participate.
The organization is Saheli, a non-profit domestic violence prevention/intervention organization, located in Burlington, that provides personalized, culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed support to South Asian and Middle Eastern survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“We wanted to do something with the community and for the community,” said Deepali Gulati, an Outreach Coordinator with the group. “It’s about bringing people together to say we are here for them and the community is there for us.”
The big event, the Saheli 5K Walk for Domestic Violence Awareness will be on Saturday October 23 starting with check-in beginning at 10 a.m. on the Town Common. Registration for the walk is $25 and all proceeds go to providing groceries, winter clothing and transportation for survivors of domestic violence.
“Every step you take raises awareness about domestic violence and every dollar we raise helps us provide groceries, winter clothes and financial assistance to all the survivors,” the invite states. “This 5k walk around the town of Burlington is a powerful and inspiring opportunity to unite as a community against domestic violence.”
Gulati said that while Saheli has held smaller events in the past this is the first one of this size.
“This is the first time we are doing this at this scale – usually we’d have a handful of people who would go light a tree but a walk at such a big scale with the community – this is the first time. We want to make this a tradition that grows every year.”
There will also be lights lit on the Town Common in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.