Community Connection

As a key part of my goal for community connection, I decided to something beyond my comfort zone and stand on a popular street corner with a sign reading, "February 2013 I had to leave my college because my abuser was going to kill me, this December I finally earn my bachelor's degree. Love shouldn't hurt. Don't suffer in silence. I believe you. If you want to leave there is help." As well as the number for the local women's shelter for domestic violence and the number for the National domestic violence hotline. I stood on the street corner for a total of six hours over two days, through an ice and snow storm. This experience was empowering for me, but also made me feel very vulnerable. I watched the faces of people as they read my sign for their cars, I had many positive reactions, such as waves, thumbs up, peace signs, and one woman put her hands in the shape of a heart. When I shared my efforts on Facebook, I also received much support from my friends. During my sign holding I did have one man who yelled "put your fucking sign down" to me. This extreme sign of hate shows the importance of not only my community outreach, but importance of the conversation of domestic violence in general. I hope my efforts helped at least one person, if not to just start the conversation on domestic violence.

I believe this would be an interesting community connection to do again, though I'd probably wait till it was warmer out next time ;)






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