Survivors and victims of domestic violence will be remembered and honored through the sixth annual HOPE of East Central Illinois candlelight vigil on Tuesday.

Angie Hunt, the housing program director for HOPE of East Central Illinois, is hosting the vigil as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The vigil will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Morton Park Rennels Pavilion.

HOPE of East Central Illinois is a local domestic violence agency that serves Coles County and six surrounding counties.

Hunt said HOPE provides a 24-hour crisis line, shelter, education, legal help, counseling, children programs and a volunteer program.

“This is the time when we want people to show support for victims of domestic violence, for survivors to know that their community does support them,” Hunt said. “It’s really important during this time to spread the message that domestic violence is a problem in every community, and we have to stand up and say it has no place in our community.”

The vigil will include music, speakers and a display of shirts from the Clothesline Project.

“It is a very powerful thing,” Hunt said. “We actually have community members, clients, anyone who has directly experienced domestic violence or has been touched in some way by abuse can make T-shirts.”

Hunt said they have a large selection of T-shirts that show the number of people affected by domestic violence.

She said they have hundreds of shirts that have been made over the years.

“This display really brings out a lot of emotion,” Hunt said.

Hunt said this project is similar to the clothesline project at Eastern.

“It’s the same sentiment behind it,” Hunt said.

Speakers will present starting at 7 p.m.

“This is the neat thing about the vigil—anyone is invited to speak, to read poetry, to tell stories, to show support,” Hunt said. “Anyone and everyone are invited to speak.”

Hunt said people share their stories for different reasons.

“To see how empowering it is for them and to see the way the community wants to come together to support them is just a wonderful thing,” Hunt said.

Hunt said sharing is optional.

“It can be very healing, and I think it can be very empowering to know that you may be helping someone else who is in an abusive relationship,” Hunt said.

She said after everyone who wants to speak has participated, the group will light candles.

“We take that time to honor those who have experienced it,” Hunt said.

Hunt said the band Motherlode will play at 6:30 p.m.

She said Motherlode is a local band that participates in a majority of HOPE’s programs

“We know that there are a lot of people out there who care about domestic violence,” Hunt said. “It’s very empowering for those who have experienced domestic violence to see a lot of people come to this vigil because it tells them that the community cares.”

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.