By Mike Cook
“I want you to know that you are not alone and that together we can make a difference,” said Vanessa Orduñez, New Mexico police chief, at the 24 District.
The ceremony took place in Plaza de Las Cruces on Thursday evening, October 21, with purple lights on the plaza stage (and Las Cruces Town Hall) in honor of victims and survivors of domestic violence.
“We need to be empathetic with one another because we’re all in it together,” said County Sheriff Kim Stewart, adding that the sheriff’s office receives more domestic disturbance calls than any other type of call.
Additional speakers included Gerald Buyers, Third Judicial District Attorney, Las Cruces Mayor Pro Tempore Kasandra Gandara, and Councilor Johana Bencomo, a male graduate of La Casas Batterer’s Intervention Program, and domestic violence survivor Josetta Leyva, who was the keynote speaker for the evening.
Orlando Jimenez sang as candles were lit and distributed to those in attendance by La Casa staff and volunteers to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence.
La Casa was founded in 1981. The emergency shelter, which is open around the clock, can accommodate up to 90 people. The Shelter and La Casa programs serve hundreds of men, women and children each year.
Call 575-526-2819 and send an email to [email protected].
Visit www.lacasainc.org.
Comments are closed.