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Candlelight vigil for sexual assault survivors on Wednesday

ALPENA, Mich — The community is taking a stand against sexual violence in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness this month. Alpena Community College and Hope Shores Alliance will host a candlelight vigil Wednesday night.

Attendees have the opportunity to share their testimony, listen to a live performance piece and hear from speakers in our community about sexual assault. Hope Shores Alliance outreach advocacy coordinator Jen Baker said she wants everyone to unite.

“It’s so often that I think survivors don’t feel supported within their communities,” said Baker. “To have an opportunity where everyone is coming together for the same cause and same thing that this is not acceptable supports survivors. It helps empower them. It helps them feel heard and understood.”

Attendees can meet outside Besser Technical Center at ACC Wednesday night at 7:30. Hope Shores Alliance will have a public meeting that same day at ACC in Room 106 of the Donald Newport Center Building at 6 p.m.

“We really appreciate the support of Alpena Community College in partnering with us for this event,” said Baker. “We know that sexual assault is rampant on college campuses, and for the college to be willing to say that they’re going to stand beside us work toward putting an end to this — not only within our community but also our college campus — is huge.”

List of speakers

Elijah Bakerm WBKB, Master of Ceremonies

Val Williams, Executive Director, Hope Shores Alliance

Dr. Don McMasters, President, Alpena Community College

Jeanine Kaltz, Outreach Advocate, Hope Shores Alliance

For more information or support contact Hope Shores Alliance at 989-356-2560.