Vigil for domestic violence victims planned in Arlington Heights
To honor the victims of domestic violence, and to raise awareness of the resources available to help, several organizations are coming together this month to host a candlelight prayer vigil in Arlington Heights.
"Shine the Light: A Candlelight Vigil for Those Affected by Family Violence" will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25, in North School Park at the corner of Arlington Heights Road and Eastman Street. The event is hosted by three Catholic churches in Arlington Heights - St. James, Our Lady of the Wayside and St. Edna - as well as the Daily Herald Media Group, Northwest Community Healthcare and WINGS.
"We recognize that domestic violence happens everywhere," organizer Barbara Condon said. "It's in all communities. It's in all faiths. It's in Arlington Heights."
This will be the second year for the event - it drew about 150 people last year - and Condon said they are hoping to bring together different faith communities to raise awareness in advance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
"Violence has no place in our beautiful Arlington Heights community. I encourage all area residents to promote healthy relationships and to take advantage of excellent area resources when conflicts arise," said Village President Tom Hayes, who will speak at the event.
The issue has particularly hit home in the past few years in Arlington Heights, with the murder of resident Roxana Abrudan by her estranged husband in 2014.
Abrudan had filed for an order of protection against Cristian Loga-Negru and fled their Arlington Heights home to live with her boss. Loga-Negru followed her to Wisconsin and killed her with a hatchet in November 2014. This summer, Loga-Negru was found guilty of the murder, and he will be sentenced next month.
Abrudan will be honored at the vigil as one of eight silent witnesses - large. red, human-shaped cutouts that tell the story of a domestic violence victim.
"It makes it seem a little more real for people to read their stories and see the horrors of domestic violence, especially so close to home," Condon said.
In August, another area woman, Divina Salgado, was shot and killed by her husband while she held their 1-year-old child outside their mobile home in unincorporated Elk Grove Township, according to authorities.
Area domestic violence service providers, including WINGS and the Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault, and a survivor of domestic violence also will speak at the vigil. The John Hersey High School choir and St. James Music Ministry will perform.
Participants are invited to attend a pre-vigil Mass at 5 p.m. at St. James, 820 N. Arlington Heights Road, presided by the pastors of all three churchs, followed by a candlelight processional from the church to North School Park.
"We want to let people know that they are not alone, that they deserve to be in healthy relationships and that there are resources to help them if they need it," Condon said