(Photo courtesy of UMOS)

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As of October 5, 2016, 52 lives were lost in Wisconsin due to domestic violence: one life lost every 4.2 days.

The UMOS Latina Resource Center, in partnership with Celeste Contreras, created an altar dedicated to the victims of domestic violence homicides. The altar is featured for viewing in the front window of the UMOS Latina Resource Center, located at 802 West Mitchell Street in Milwaukee.

All of the names and pictures displayed on the altar are victims of domestic homicides in 2016. “The intent of the photos is to remember the victims as individuals who were brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, mothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, co-workers, neighbors, peers, friends and members of the community,” says Mariana Rodriguez, manager of domestic violence programs at UMOS.

All of the flowers and banners were created by survivors. All of the crosses were painted by survivors. The altar will be on display until November 3.            

On October 27 The UMOS Latina Resource Center Staff and supporters of “Stop the Violence,” will have a candlelight vigil beginning at 6:30 p.m. The walk will start in front of the building at 802 West Mitchell Street and head north on 8^th Street to Lapham Blvd. Left on Lapham Blvd. heading west to Cesar Chavez Dr., then left to Mitchell Street and back to the Latina Resource Center. There is no cost to participate in the vigil.

The UMOS Latina Resource Center is the only bi-lingual, bi-cultural, domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking supportive services center under one roof in Wisconsin.

For more information on the vigil or any of the other October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities call 414-389-6500.