White ribbons in hand, Vera House advocates Christina Carney,
Roseanne Olszewski & Jennifer Shaw, along with Vera House interns
gather in Clinton Square for the '07 Campaign kick-off march.
 

One campaign supporter ties a white ribbon around a tree in Armory Square
as part of the March 23rd event: "Steps in the Right Direction -
a march to END THE SILENCE & STOP THE VIOLENCE!"
 

    
Tying white ribbons around tree trunks, lamp posts and street signs
represents our community's pledge to NEVER COMMIT, CONDONE
OR REMAIN SILENT ABOUT DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
 

Sue Tormey (far left) and Lynn Shepard Scott (far right) from the Onondaga County Executive's Office, join County Legislator Dale Sweetland and
Vera House Executive Director Randi Bregman in Clinton Square.
Vera House is grateful for the loyal and generous support of so many regional government offices, businesses, agencies, schools and religious organizations
for the annual White Ribbon Campaign.
 

      
Even "Al" from the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Team was proud to
show his support of the '07 White Ribbon Campaign by joining in the march!
 

Vera House Men's Outreach Program Coordinator Jerome Hall
distributes white ribbons to eager campaign supporters in Clinton Square.
Vera House is proud to announce that Jerome will receive the
2007 Social Justice Award at Syracuse University on April 11th!
 

Participants in the 2007 White Ribbon Campaign March carried banners
bearing dramatic new designs donated by Designworks Advertising.
The powerful message: "BE A MAN. NO MEANS NO."
 

(l to r) Kelsie Harris of the ECHO Program, Vera House Educator Lisa Earle,
& Elisa Morales (Vera House advocate & Coalition Assistant Coordinator)
are joined by White Ribbon Steering Committee member Rami Badawy
(Director of SU's Office of Judicial Affairs) to march from Clinton Square.
 

Vera House Director of Communications & Special Events,
Chris Benton leads the way as the White Ribbon kick-off march
sets out for Armory Square!
 

        
"BE A MAN. CHALLENGE OTHER MEN." - a powerful message of this year's
White Ribbon Campaign, carried proudly by Vera House supporters and
Men's Outreach Program Coordinator Jerome Hall.
 

Enthusiastic marchers embark from Clinton Square!
 

(l to r) Vera House EMERGE Project Coordinator Crystal Collette,
student Shaunice Phillips, VH Education Director & Coalition Coordinator,
Loren Cunningham and Dotti Barraco-Hetnar, VH Programs Administrator
are all ready to tie white ribbons.
 

March 23rd was a beautiful sunny day in downtown Syracuse for community members to join together in support of the White Ribbon Campaign.
The annual march reminds us all that NOW is the time to
"END THE SILENCE & STOP THE VIOLENCE!"
 

Alternatives Program Coordinator Laurie Murray and
Men's Outreach Program Coordinator Jerome Hall.
 

Vera House staff and supporters look on as the kick-off march gets underway
in Clinton Square with remarks from News10Now's Mark Larson and
Campaign Co-Chair Mike Guerin from National Grid.
Media coverage of the event included regional radio, TV & print news outlets.
 

The kick-off march attracted a large crowd of Vera House supporters!
 

News10Now's Mark Larson brought his two children along to participate
by tying white ribbons. Mark served as emcee for the march,
as well as for the White Ribbon Breakfast on March 27th.
Vera House is deeply appreciative of the heartfelt generosity of
Mark Larson and Time Warner Cable.
 

Vera House advocacy & clinical staff members (l to r) Pearlette Petty,
Ellen Ford, Gretchen Waters, Annette King, Megan Yost and
Aaron Jeffrey carry a banner challenging men to "RESPECT WOMEN."
The "BE A MAN" theme resonates throughout the '07 campaign,
on posters displayed in the community, as well as on radio & television PSA messages generously produced by ClearChannel Communications,
Time Warner Cable and linda e productions.
 

Alternatives Program Coordinator Laurie Murray ties a white ribbon on a tree
in Armory Square. Funds raised during the White Ribbon Campaign support Alternatives, a 26-week education & accountability program for men who have been abusive to their female partners and/or ex-partners.
 

Vera House shelter staff, interns & volunteers all came out to participate.
 

Television cameras captured the inspiring display of solidarity and
commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign mission!
 

Setting the example of male leadership that is so important to the
White Ribbon Campaign, Vera House Alternatives Program Assistant
Roger Howard ties a white ribbon around a lamp post in Armory Square.