Footsteps to a Better Ogden
I was fortunate last evening to attend Your Community Connection's (YCC) annual "Footsteps to Light" Empowerment Walk against domestic violence. The march, which began at 23rd and Adams, held up traffic on Washington Blvd. for about 15 minutes while all 500 or so participants walked across the street en route to the rally being held at the Ogden Amphitheater. Various local groups and agencies, such as Weber State clubs, ABATE (a local biker club), the girl scouts, etc., participated in this night out against domestic violence. This event was held in conjunction with a whole month full of DV awareness activites around the country as October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Once at the amphitheater, Mayor Godfrey gave a few short remarks and audience members participated in a balloon launch in rememberance of the Utah children who had lost their lives to domestic violence. That moment was particularly poignant when recognizing some of the names that have made local headlines, like "Baby" Hacking and the D'Agnillo baby (who died as a result of the murder suicide in South Ogden in early September).
The mood was lightened for a while with entertainment by Alex Boye and local acappella group, T-Minus Five. These guys showed their true colors at giving their time to care about domestic violence.
Guest speaker, Rebecca Doxey spoke of her struggle as a survivor of domestic violence, some of which occurred just over a year ago. Her story was one of heartache and pain. It was also one of survival against great odds.
The evening concluded with a candlelight vigil. The vigil included the singing (and playing) of "Amazing Grace" by the guest entertainers as well as the Ben Lomond High Bagpipers. The names of all who had lost their lives to domestic violence were projected on the screen above the stage. Sister Stephanie of Ogden Regional Hospital gave a prayer for peace and the candles were extinguished.
Such events as these help put into perspective that aside from all of the debating, etc. that we might do to try and make Ogden aesthetically better, perhaps the first thing we could do, is to work at making it better from within the walls of each of its homes.
Once at the amphitheater, Mayor Godfrey gave a few short remarks and audience members participated in a balloon launch in rememberance of the Utah children who had lost their lives to domestic violence. That moment was particularly poignant when recognizing some of the names that have made local headlines, like "Baby" Hacking and the D'Agnillo baby (who died as a result of the murder suicide in South Ogden in early September).
The mood was lightened for a while with entertainment by Alex Boye and local acappella group, T-Minus Five. These guys showed their true colors at giving their time to care about domestic violence.
Guest speaker, Rebecca Doxey spoke of her struggle as a survivor of domestic violence, some of which occurred just over a year ago. Her story was one of heartache and pain. It was also one of survival against great odds.
The evening concluded with a candlelight vigil. The vigil included the singing (and playing) of "Amazing Grace" by the guest entertainers as well as the Ben Lomond High Bagpipers. The names of all who had lost their lives to domestic violence were projected on the screen above the stage. Sister Stephanie of Ogden Regional Hospital gave a prayer for peace and the candles were extinguished.
Such events as these help put into perspective that aside from all of the debating, etc. that we might do to try and make Ogden aesthetically better, perhaps the first thing we could do, is to work at making it better from within the walls of each of its homes.
posted by Lancer at 9:06 AM
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