YWCA to Hold Remember My Name Memorial Event

The YWCA of Richmond will observe the 12th annual Remember My Name Memorial at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 at Monument Heights Baptist Church. This nondenominational service commemorates those in the Greater Richmond and surrounding areas, who have lost their lives due to domestic violence in the past year. During the ceremony, families, friends and community leaders will have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the victims or give testimonies about how domestic violence has affected their lives.

In 1994, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Ms. Magazine began the Remember My Name Memorial to honor those who have died and to generate awareness of domestic violence. Since 1995, over 60 men, women and children are memorialized on the Metro Richmond monument.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The YWCA and other agencies and organizations, are holding many events throughout the month to highlight issues and generate awareness of family violence. According to the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, between 2000 and 2004, hotline calls have increased by 24 percent and over 211,000 calls have been answered.

The YWCA of Richmond provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including hospital accompaniment, free shelter, counseling and 24-hour crisis hotline.

For information about submitting a name to the memorial, contact Becky Lee (804) 643-6761 ext 128.

For general information about Remember My Name, contact the YWCA at (804) 643-6761.