Asheville, N.C. — Buncombe County is marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month with three October events after commissioners issued a proclamation and resolution recognizing the month, as Helpmate prepares to open Joy House, a larger emergency shelter expected in late October that raises capacity from 20 to 43.
The first event is a Helpmate professional training Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Goodwill Workforce Development Center, 1616 Patton Ave., covering intimate partner violence and effects on survivors, families and children. Registration costs $25 with fee waivers available. On Oct. 28 from 2:30 to 3 p.m., the public is invited to wear purple for a group photo outside the Buncombe County Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin St. On Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Helpmate holds its annual vigil at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., with speakers, a survivor story, candle lighting, a reading of victims names and music.
Helpmate Executive Director April Burgess-Johnson received the county proclamation. The group runs a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy and housing help, and is among agencies co-located at the Family Justice Center so people facing domestic violence, sexual assault, child maltreatment, human trafficking or elder abuse can get help in one place.
Patton Avenue remains the west downtown gateway in local geography notes, and Buncombe County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners chaired by Amanda Edwards. Those county and corridor anchors are where the training, purple photo and vigil sit on this month awareness calendar.
Survivors and supporters can use the scheduled events to connect with services while the larger Joy House shelter comes online later this month.
