YWCA's Eleventh Annual "Empty Place at the Table"

UNION, NJ – The YWCA Union County will sponsor its eleventh annual Empty Place at the Table on Thursday, October 25th at Kean University. The event is free of charge for anyone to attend and honor loved ones who tragically lost their lives due to domestic violence.

The art exhibition program of the event begins at 3PM, featuring dinner place settings, photographs, short stories and personal items, each of which represents someone who has lost her life due to domestic violence. This display is meant to increase awareness of the lethality of domestic violence. But, most of all, it serves as a place to remember the victims and the impact their loss has had on our community.

Beginning at 7PM, the YWCA Union County will present a program entitled “The Next Chapter: Stories of Survival,” featuring monologue performances written by survivors of domestic violence, acted out by local performers, and directed by YWCA Union County’s Drama Therapist, Lillian Ribeiro. The performance is followed by a candlelight vigil.

For more information, please visit http://www.ywcaunioncounty.org/event-type/epatt/ or view our flyer.

A special thank you to our partner, Kean University, for hosting this event and providing a sign interpreter for the monologue performances!

The YWCA Union County has been serving the community for 98 years, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year of providing domestic violence services. The YWCA is the only agency in Union County that provides an emergency domestic violence shelter, in addition to supportive and transitional housing, counseling, legal advocacy and representation, children’s services, 24 hour crisis intervention and more. All YWCA services are free and confidential.

Domestic violence is a crime that impacts people regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, economic status, education, or religion; it is estimated to impact 1 in every 3 women, and 1 in every 7 men, nationally. Approximately 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence at some point during her lifetime. An average of 3 women per day in the United States are killed as a result of domestic violence. It impacts more women than breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer combined.

In 2016, 4 domestic violence-related homicides occurred in Union County. During that same year, a total of 3,858 domestic violence crimes were reported in the county. Please help us put an end to abuse that affects thousands of women, men, and children throughout our community.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the 24-Hour Hotline at 908-355-HELP (4357).