With awareness, comes hope at S.O.F.I.A vigil in Crane Park (Photos)
Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (S.O.F.I.A.) held its annual Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Monday, Oct. 25, at Crane Park.
Executive Director Cynthia Walker invited the community to remember loved ones, support friends and neighbors, and affirm that: “With awareness there is hope.”
The evening was held to lift the stigma and raise awareness of domestic violence.
PHOTOS BY KATE ALBRIGHT/ FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL
Members of Moms Demand Action from left, Alicia Silvestri, Peg Zitko, Meghan Murray, Andrea Podgarsky, join the candlelight vigil on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Zully Brunson is a bilingual specialist at S.O.F.I.A and offers support through the hotline, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
An attendee holds a candle and a S.O.F.I.A pamphlet during the vigil, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Jasmine and Jayden Madison join the candlelight vigil hosted by S.O.F.I.A during Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Candles are placed on a bench in Crane Park in honor of those affected by domestic violence, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Cynthia Walker, founder and executive director of S.O.F.I.A., opens the candlelight vigil in Crane Park on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Kristin Wald speaks during the vigil, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees form a circle in Crane Park while holding sings honoring those affected by domestic violence on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees form a circle in Crane Park while holding sings honoring those affected by domestic violence on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Candles glow in a woman's hands during the vigil in Crane Park hosted by S.O.F.I.A to honor those affected by domestic violence, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees form a circle in Crane Park while honoring those affected by domestic violence on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees form a circle in Crane Park while holding sings honoring those affected by domestic violence, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Corey Anderson speaks to the crowd, saying it is important for men to join the movement to end domestic violence, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Dennis Crawley closes the vigil with a prayer, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Cynthia Walker, founder and executive director of S.O.F.I.A., asks that the lights keep shining in support of domestic violence awareness, Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
From left, S.O.F.I.A. board members Gretchen Sheffield and Jean Warsager, speak with a vigil attendee on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Members of the Montclair High School club, Sisters on the Runway, attend the candlelight vigil on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Town council member Peter Yacobellis speaks with members of the Montclair High School club, Sisters on the Runway, on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
S.O.F.I.A board members from left, Tamisa Covington, Gretchen Sheffield, Jean Warsager, Kristin Wald and Leslie Faison stand with Cynthia Walker, the founder and executive director at the candlelight vigil on Oct. 25, 2021. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)