Crime Victims Remembered

By Allison Canter

National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) is observed every April and activities are held to honor and

remember crime victims and those who support them and work on their behalf. Locally, A Safe Home for Everyone (ASHE) held a remembrance ceremony on Monday, April 27, at 9 a.m. at the Ashe County Courthouse.

Crime Victims Rights Week is observed April 26 through May 2 and the local ceremony on Monday kicked off the week, promoting victims' rights and services as well as acknowledging individuals and organizations that serve the victims.

ASHE used their ceremony to honor those who have lost their lives at the hands of another.

Stacy Cox, Tammy Gardner and Cindy Eller of ASHE all spoke at the event. Cox is a case manager and shelter co-supervisor for ASHE. Gardner is a case manager and co-supervisor while Eller is the thrift store supervisor for Threads of Hope. The thrift store's proceeds go to benefit the local domestic violence shelter.

Eller told of her experience, losing her daughter, Monica Martin, as a result of domestic violence. The local domestic violence shelter, Monica's Haven, is named for Eller's daughter.

Eller said that victims of crime need to know that there is help out there and you can get relief financially as well. She said there is help for mothers as well as educational assistance.

"Personally, I want to let all victims know that I know how it feels and I want to help," said Eller. She said the ceremony was important to help remember the victims.

On display at the courthouse was an "Angel Tree," decorated with red and black ribbons. The ribbons pictured an angel, signifying the victim. The red represented the blood shed in the crime while the black on the ribbon represented the death of the victim.

Also on display was a poem entitled Still Missing You, offering a look into the emotions felt by those left behind to grieve after a crime.

Another display evidenced the grief of a child victim of crime. Martin's daughter, Mariah, was present the night her mother was murdered. A shirt designed by the young girl was featured and titled, Through the Eyes of Mariah, an eight year old the night she witnessed her mother's murder. This shirt was designed by Mariah in association with The Clothesline Project. It is a project set up as a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt. They then hang the shirts on a clothesline to be viewed by others as a testimony to the problem of violence against women.

Eller said they plan to have the ceremony again next year.

ASHE provides services and support for victims of family violence. Their services include 24-hour crisis assistance, emergency cell phones, shelter for families in crisis, court advocacy and accompaniment, information and referral, victim support groups, educational programs and training.

ASHE's thrift store, Threads of Hope, sells clothes for the entire family and also has quality household items for sale. Donations are accepted of slightly used clothing and household items. Donations are tax-deductible. Proceeds from the store are used to benefit Monica's Haven, the local domestic violence shelter. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store is located between the towns at 643 South Main Street in Jefferson, next to Truck Toys.

For more information about ASHE, call (336) 982-8851. The number to the store is (336) 246-4673.