Communities of Light™

Illuminating the Night to Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

The 10th Annual Communities of Light™ ~Peace Begins at Home county-wide lighting of candles will commence at dusk on Monday, December 12, 2011.

During the winter solstice in December, Communities of Light™ (COL) candles line the streets of central New Jersey – a powerful symbol of hope for women and children impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. Communities of Light™ raises awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault and the services available to help victims in Mercer County. The candles come from special luminary kits produced by Womanspace. Their light helps spread our important message that Peace Begins at Home. Each year, more than 200 volunteers sell, distribute and display the luminary kits. Volunteers sell the luminary kits to their friends, neighbors and co-workers. If you would like to help Womanspace sell luminary kits read more on our COL Volunteer page.  Participants can also buy the kits from a variety of local retail stores during the COL event and on the Womanspace website year-round.

The Communities of Light event was launched at Rider University’s Bart Luedeke Center Cavalla Room in Lawrence, NJ on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, from  5:30pm to 7:30pm.  This year’s Honorary Chair is Dr. Mordechai Rozanski, President of Rider University. Read the event launch release here.

At dusk on Monday, December 12, 2011, hundreds of people, scores of organizations and community groups, and the 13 municipalities within Mercer County will light thousands of their candles. Domestic violence agencies from neighboring New Jersey counties also participate in Communities of Light.

100% of all proceeds from  event sponsorships, luminary kit sales and donations to Communities of Light benefit Womanspace programs that serve over 10,000 adults and children each year, who are impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.   To support this event online, please click here.