News Room

The Shade Tree Hosts Vigil for Victims of Domestic Violence

The Shade Tree Hosts Purple Thursday Candlelight Vigil to Honor Domestic Violence Victims and Survivors

Socially distanced, masked vigil to be held outside on the shelter grounds.

Oct. 15, 2021

WHAT:       The Shade Tree, a 24-hour accessible shelter designed to specifically meet the needs of women and children in crisis, is hosting a staff-only candlelight vigil to honor domestic violence victims, survivors and frontline workers on Purple Thursday, a signature awareness-raising day during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). For the vigil, 30+ Shade Tree staff members will gather on the shelter’s outdoor basketball court, which will be adorned with luminaries that are decorated with the names of Nevadans who lost their lives to domestic violence over the last decade. Linda Perez, CEO of The Shade Tree, will make brief remarks and recognize the brave survivors who are sharing their stories as part of the organization’s “Your Story Saves Lives” campaign, which will roll out on the organizations social channels later this month. Following the remarks, everyone will process to the sidewalk to line the gates of the campus for a few minutes of silence.

 

WHEN:       Thursday, October 21 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE:     The Shade Tree, outdoor basketball court, 1 West Owens Ave, 89030

WHO:         Linda Perez, CEO, The Shade Tree 30+ Shade Tree staff members

WHY:         According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 44 percent of women and 33 percent of men in Nevada experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetimes. Also, according to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. This equates to more than 10 million women and men annually.

Purple Thursday is a national day of action during DVAM for which everyone is encouraged to wear purple to raise awareness about domestic violence and to show solidarity with survivors and those who are working tirelessly to stem the tide of interpersonal violence through prevention, education and healing services.

 

For those who would like to support The Shade Tree during DVAM and beyond:

  • GRRL Clothing, 1118 S. Main Street, Las Vegas, NV 89014, or grrrl.com, is launching a new, long-term partnership with The Shade Tree. Kicking off on Oct. 4 to correspond with Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2021, GRRL Clothing will provide one night of shelter to a woman or child in crisis with every pair of leggings purchased.
  • Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Lounge at Town Square presents its Charity Flight of the Month to benefit The Shade Tree. For October, Double Helix offers the Craigslist flight, featuring Elijah Craig (Small Batch, Toasted Barrel and 18-year). Five dollars from every flight purchased will go back to the shelter. Visit doublehelixewine.com for more.
  • One may also support The Shade Tree by choosing it as the organization of choice on AmazonSmile, a program that donates 0.5 percent of eligible purchases on Amazon. Visit amazon.com and select The Shade Tree.
  • For those who wish to donate items to the Shade Tree, in-person, in-kind donations may be made at the shelter: 1 West Owens Ave., North Las Vegas, NV 89030. The Shade Tree requests that no more than two people drop off items and requires social distancing protocols during the drop off. Please contact [email protected] to schedule a donation drop-off. For a list of items currently needed at the shelter, please visit org/get-involved/#donate.

 

ABOUT THE SHADE TREE

The Shade Tree is Southern Nevada’s only 24-hour accessible emergency shelter for women and children in crisis, servicing many who are victims of domestic violence and/or human trafficking. The Shade Tree Shelter offers 364 permanent beds and provides over 100,000 nights of shelter over 165,000 meals every year. On average The Shade Tree provides assistance to 15 new families each day and helps over 6,000 women and children annually. The Shade Tree facility offers residential areas with sleeping rooms, libraries, training rooms, children's playrooms, meals, and laundry services. Additionally, it offers programs and services for women and children including life skills, workforce readiness, health services, and housing assistance. The Shade Tree has been providing these services since 1989. The Shade Tree crisis hotline phone/text number is 1-855-385-0072. To learn more, follow The Shade Tree on Facebook @ShadeTreeofLasVegas and Twitter & Instagram @ShadeTreeVegas or visit www.theshadetree.org.

 

Media Contact: Lisa Robinson, 702-326-0334, [email protected]