PHILADELPHIA, PA – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On October 1, 2022, from 12 pm until 4 pm, The Purple House Project PA, INC. (PHPPA) will host its 5th Annual My Purple Path Walk & Fair. The walk will begin at the Tioga Hope Garden at 20th and Tioga St., proceed north on 20th St. to Hunting Park Ave., then east to Hunting Park at 1104 W. Hunting Park Ave.
In the park, participants will engage with community resources, vendors, listen to inspirational speakers sharing their stories, enjoy food, music and more. The event will be hosted by Comedians Nicole Phoenix and Kara Mia with special performances by the multi-talented Nikki Powerhouse and Rahnda Rize. Additionally, attendees will participate in an epic line dance with renowned instructor and co-founder of Step 4 Step Line Dancers of NJ, Doug (X-Man) Hawkins.
According to Women Against Abuse, “DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A DEBILITATING PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC IN PHILADELPHIA,” where 43 people were killed by domestic violence in 2021! That’s more than double the number of domestic violence murders from the year before and the largest number known to date. On April 29, 2021, Philadelphia City Council passed legislation introduced by Council-member Kendra Brooks (At-Large) that extended the critical protections for victims of coercive control in the areas of housing, paid leave use, and employment.
Council- member Brooks was also instrumental in bringing The Purple Path Walk & Fair to Philadelphia last year and expressed her gratitude to the Purple House Project PA for their work to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence. “Eight years ago, my cousin, Tianna, was murdered by her abusive partner,” said Council-member Brooks. “I do this work in her honor and in the hope that we can extend protections and resources to people who are in similarly dangerous situations. Abuse can happen to anyone, and it’s important to bring visibility to an issue that is too often cloaked in shame, silence, and stigma. I am proud to partner with organizations like Purple House Project PA so that Philadelphians know that help is available and that they are not alone.”
This year’s theme” My Purple Path Needs You To Be Free” will bring awareness not only to the goal that ALL be free from abuse, but to also raise awareness surrounding the high rate of incarcerated women who have been affected by domestic violence.
Founded in 2016, Purple House Project PA, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Their mission is to Strengthen, Empower, and Transition women impacted by Intimate Partner Violence via connection to essential resources that aid in the healing process. Christine Joy Brunson’s ultimate goal is to create a JoysourceTM where survivors can experience everlasting healing in a holistic environment through support. But also through transitional housing to help those survivors toward self-sufficiency and independence.
Register for the event at www.purplehouseprojectpa.org.
