This year, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, a leading force in the Domestic Violence Awareness Month campaign, revisits 2023’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month theme, “Heal, Hold & Center.”

Last year’s Heal, Hold & Center theme captured the importance of promoting various ways for survivors to heal from trauma caused by domestic violence, holding space for survivors and centering those most marginalized in the violence prevention movement, especially Black, Indigenous and people of color. 

This year, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project is expanding on the same theme by encouraging folks to spotlight organizations and individuals who embody what it means to heal, hold and center. Locally, several organizations and programs are offering virtual events and resources during the month of October and throughout the year that speak to the essence of this theme.

Friday, Oct. 4
United Indian Health Services (UIHS’s) 
Da’-ye’ Ghes-na’ Family Wellness Project 
Educational outreach 
Potawot Health Village, 1600 Weeot Way, Arcata 
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.  

Saturday, Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26
Humboldt Domestic Violence Services will be providing educational outreach at the Arcata Farmers’ Market on the Arcata Plaza 
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 14
Humboldt Domestic Violence Services and the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Public Health’s 
Family Violence Prevention Program 
Educational outreach 
Miranda Farmers’ Market, in front of Miranda Market on Highway 254 (Avenue of the Giants) 
2 to 6 p.m.  

Tuesday, Oct. 15
UIHS’s Da’-ye’ Ghes-na’ Family Wellness Project 
Educational outreach 
Libby Haripop Nix Community Center, 23001 Highway 96, Weitchpec 
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Monday, Oct. 21
Humboldt Domestic Violence Services 
Educational outreach 
Miranda Farmers’ Market, in front of Miranda Market on Highway 254 (Avenue of the Giants) 
2 to 6 p.m.  

Tuesday, Oct. 22
UIHS’s Da’-ye’ Ghes-na’ Family Wellness Project 
Educational outreach 
Taa-‘at-dvn Clinic, 1675 Northcrest Drive, Crescent City 
10 a.m. to noon.

Friday, Oct. 25
UIHS’s Da’-ye’ Ghes-na’ Family Wellness Project 
Educational outreach 
Hop’-ew Puel Clinic, 241 Salmon Ave., Klamath 
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. 

Tuesday, Oct. 29
DHHS’s Family Violence Prevention Program is hosting a free, virtual 90-minute training on gaslighting in intimate partner violence 
3 to 4:30 p.m. 
To learn more and to register, visit tinyurl.com/5n79nsxa. 

Thursday, Oct. 31
UIHS’s Da’-ye’ Ghes-na’ Family Wellness Project 
Educational outreach 
Howonquet Health Clinic, 501 N Indian Road, Smith River 
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Wondering what else you can do?

• Consider bringing a Domestic Violence 101 training to your workplace or community space to learn about different kinds of abuse, how to support survivors using a trauma-informed perspective, safety planning, local and national resources and more. Visit the Public Health, Healthy Communities Trainings and Education page for more information: humboldtgov.org/2074/Trainings-and-Education 
• Join the Humboldt County Domestic Violence Prevention Committee (DVPC) to collaborate with other individuals and organizations who are passionate about participating in a countywide response to violence. The DVPC meets the second Thursday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. For more information, email humboldtpreventioncommittee@gmail.com.

If you or someone you know is currently in an abusive or unhealthy relationship, know that you are not alone and that help is available. Please contact any of the following 24-hour hotlines:

• Humboldt Domestic Violence Services: 24/7 Support Line 707-443-6042
• North Coast Rape Crisis Team: 24/7 Humboldt Hotline 707-445-2881, 24/7 Del Norte Hotline 707-465-2851
• DHHS Behavioral Health: 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Line 707-445-7715 or toll-free 888-849-5728

Additional support can be found by exploring an expanded list of domestic violence resources: Resource List for Providers in English and Lista de Recursos de Proveedores en español. 

From left, DHHS Health Education Specialist II Melissa Reed, Humboldt County Second District Supervisor
Michelle Bushnell and HDVS Executive Director Emely Fuentes-Neilson.

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