St. Jude House held its annual event to honor survivors of domestic abuse on Thursday October 5. This started with a candlelit vigil to honor those who were tragically killed at the hands of their abuser, and over the last few years has pivoted to celebrate the survivors and bring awareness.
To make the event family-friendly, St. Jude House had activities for people of all ages to enjoy, which included: live music, food trucks from places such as Provecho Battista's Artisan Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Paquitos Taquitos, a temporary tattoo station, caricature artists, balloon animal making, and many more. The Survivor Celebration was driven by Toyota of Merrillville and sponsored by other St. Jude House Community Partners such as Strack & Van Til Supermarkets and White Castle, and many community members volunteered their time as well to host this event.
"A lot of us might like to believe that domestic violence is not a part of our little piece of the world. That is not true. Even if you are unaware, you will have coworkers that are surviving domestic abuse. Your children will go to school with children who are surviving domestic abuse," said Tricia Bauner, assistant regional controller with Toyota of Merrillville. “This event is an opportunity for the residents in our community to stand up and say domestic violence cannot be part of our community; we will help and support those families that are struggling through it."
White Castle Chicago Region District Supervisor Dianna Williams believes this is an important topic to bring awareness to and has partnered with St. Jude House for the past several years for this reason.
“Events like the St. Jude House Survivor Celebration are important because it’s a positive and fun way to bring awareness to a very serious topic - domestic violence," said Williams. “White Castle has been a supporting partner of St. Jude House for several years and we were pleased to be a sponsor for such a wonderful event and given the opportunity to help.”
President and CEO of Strack & Van Til Jeff Strack shares a similar mindset to Williams. Strack has seen St. Jude Executive Director Ryan Elinkowski flourish in his role and is proud to see members of the regional community come together to give survivors the support and safe space they need.
“It's important to recognize what St. Jude does in the community and how it helps adults and children who are facing those pretty difficult and challenging situations,” Strack said. “They mean a lot to the community, and the more work they do, the more people know this is a resource for them. That is why we partner with such a tremendous organization, to help spread awareness.”
Elinkowski wanted the take away of tonight’s event to be that as a community, shoulder to shoulder, it is possible to change the stigma that surrounds domestic violence and move from awareness to action.
“Can you imagine a world in which the perpetrator does not have power and control and the survivor can reach out to a family, family member, friend, coworker or fellow church parishioner and not feel judged?” Elinkowski said. “I strongly feel, and I know you all do too, that neither a man, woman, or child should have to endure abuse of any kind.”
Residential and nonresidential members of St. Jude House freely and anonymously wrote messages and decorated t-shirts for the clothesline project. The shirts were hung all around the venue displaying powerful messages to give survivors that safe space to express themselves without fear and judgment.
As a survivor herself, St. Jude Survivor Council President Teri Wallace shared her story for the first time not only as a personal milestone, but as a way to inspire victims that they can be survivors and that there are people to help and support them.
“We appreciate the support from everyone,” Wallace said. “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but it's important to keep survivors and people still living in domestic violence situations in your mind all year long.”
To bring awareness to such a difficult topic takes a community from every front. Indiana Congressman Frank Mrvan spoke at the benefit remembering a time when he called Elinkowski trying to help a survivor find shelter and safety. He remembers this like it was yesterday and holds this close to his heart, especially when in Washington D.C. finding ways to bring awareness and education about issues like domestic violence.
“I hope you understand the ripple effect that not only it has on families reducing trauma, but also on the community,” Mrvan said. “When we work together to reduce and minimize the type of pain that domestic violence causes, we make our community a better place to live. We always will be united in the fact that we're supporting each other, we can recognize those who are suffering, and listen to what they're saying. Believe them, and take action to prevent it in the future.”
St. Jude has implemented new resources over the past few years, such as its survivor's council, to better serve the community. The organization has continued to work and spread awareness about its cause, as well as aid survivors by offering them a safe place and other resources.
To learn more about St. Jude House and the resources, visit stjudehouse.org or call 1-800-254-1286 24/7 to speak confidentially. All services at St. Jude House are at no cost.