Community of Light

Events this October to honor survivors, spread hope, and light the way forward during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

What's happening

Throughout October, Community of Light will create opportunities to remember lives impacted by domestic violence, make space for healing and restoration, connect people with resources, and illuminate homes, businesses, and community spaces in recognition of survivors.

Follow along on Facebook for updates all month

Oct2

Walk of Hope and Remembrance

Friday, 4 to 9 PM

Veterans Park Breezeway, NOTO First Friday

The Walk of Hope & Remembrance is an interactive community experience created to honor those whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence while making space for remembrance, reflection, connection, and hope.

Visitors are invited to move through the experience at their own pace. The Walk will feature:

The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence’s eight-piece Silent Witness exhibit
Resources and information from KCSDV
The Sonrisa Foundation’s Hope & Healing reflection experience
The Purple Note Project with A Million Thanks
Opportunities for self-care and community care
Information about the long-term support The Sonrisa Foundation is working to build

There is no required participation and no expectation that anyone share their story. Visitors are welcome to walk, reflect, write, learn, connect—or simply be present.

The experience moves from remembrance to reflection, from community care to action, and ultimately toward hope.

Printing sponsored by BlendHQ

Get directions Add to calendar

Tue6–27

Room to Breathe

Tuesdays, 5:45 to 6:45 PM

Redbud Park Pavilion (indoors), NOTO

Sometimes supporting healing begins by simply creating Room to Breathe.

Throughout October, The Sonrisa Foundation in partnership with Love Move Breathe will offer a free trauma-informed gentle yoga series designed to create space for rest, grounding, and reconnection during Domestic Violence Awareness Month: four Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20 and 27, with space for 15 people each week.

Led by an experienced instructor, Room to Breathe is open to the community and designed with trauma-responsive principles including choice, accessibility, and respect for individual comfort. Participants do not need to identify as survivors, disclose personal experiences, have a diagnosis, or have previous yoga experience to participate.

Come exactly as you are. Participate in the movements that feel right for you, rest when you choose, and take an hour away from the noise of everyday life.

No story required. No explanation needed. Just room to breathe.

Get directions Add to calendar

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AllOctober

Light the District Purple

Every night in October

NOTO Arts & Entertainment District

In collaboration with The Sonrisa Foundation, the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District will illuminate its outdoor district lights purple throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The purple lights serve as a visible reminder of the lives impacted by domestic violence and of the role communities can play in creating safety, connection, and hope.

The installation also serves as the starting point for a larger invitation: as NOTO lights the district, residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to join the Purple Porch Project and help carry that light into neighborhoods throughout the city.

AllOctober

Purple Porch Project

Every night in October

Your porch, your storefront

What if one light could say, “You are seen. You are believed. You are not alone.”

The Purple Porch Project invites homes, businesses, organizations, and community spaces to turn one light purple throughout October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Participation can be as simple as replacing one porch light with a purple bulb, changing a smart light to purple, illuminating a storefront, or creating another visible purple display.

Together, those individual lights become something larger: a citywide expression of awareness, solidarity, and hope.

Use what you already have, create your own purple display, or reach out if you need a purple bulb and invite someone else to join you.

AllOctober