A single turquoise doughnut symbolizing zero tolerance is the first in a series of three art installations above downtown restaurant Palomino. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence declared the month of October Domestic Violence Awareness week in 1981 as an extension of their inaugural Day of Unity.
In observance, the Domestic Violence Network an Indianapolis non-profit, in collaboration with Simon (Circle Centre Mall), Verizon, and WTHR have launched the No More installation in an effort to spread awareness.
The No More campaign has been a part of DVN’s outreach for a year and a half. Kelly McBride, interim executive director, said that in addition to this installation and other public projects the network, which is dedicated to engaging the community thru advocacy, education, and collaboration, is developing a plan to engage the entire community through prevention and impact amongst survivors as well as abusers.
McBride said that one of their goals was to remove the stigma of abuse. “If we talk about it, we can start to work towards ending it”.
Verizon, a company that has had a commitment to domestic violence awareness since 2001, has championed this cause through various initiatives, one being their HopeLine program.
Dawn May, associate director of Verizon’s government team, said that it “made perfect sense” to partner with DVN for No More.
Verizon’s HopeLine program collects cell phones (from all carriers) and refurbishes them to be distributed to survivors and their families all across the country who may find themselves displaced and/or out of communication with loved ones and vital resources as a result of violence. To date, Verizon has collected over 10 million phones and donated over $18 million to organizations across the nation.
Those interested in donating can do so via Verizon’s website or by stopping in to any Verizon Wireless owned retail shop.
“The problem of domestic violence is huge and it impacts so many people” said May when asked about Verizon’s continued commitment. “We think about the victims, the families, and just the impact across the entire community – it’s impossible not to care”.
The No More installation is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m., and at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 18.
DVN representatives will be on hand each day to provide information. Verizon representatives will also be available to collect cell phone donations for their HopeLine program.
For more information on the Domestic Violence Network visit http://dvnconnect.org/
