Haven House is joining forces with the City of Rio Rancho to make the city a domestic violence free zone. Every member of the Rio Rancho community is invited to become involved in an effort, throughout the month of October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to raise awareness of domestic violence, and in doing so, let the citizens of Rio Rancho know that domestic violence will not be tolerated in the City.

The Purple Ribbon Initiative will kick off on October 2, when Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack proclaims “Wear Purple Day.”  The purple ribbon is the recognized symbol of the national campaign to end domestic violence. 

Following the launch, Haven House and the City will call upon businesses, schools, houses of worship, community groups, neighborhood associations and individuals to demonstrate their solidarity with the issue by undertaking their own purple ribbon projects. It is expected that companies, organizations, educational institutions, religious organizations and citizens will respond to the call for involvement and create their own unique Purple Ribbon programs.  These grass roots efforts to educate victims and non-victims alike about domestic violence and engage all citizens in a zero tolerance for this problem in the city will be ongoing during October and will culminate on October 29 with the 3rd Annual Candleglow Vigil and recognition ceremony at Rio Rancho High School. If you want to be part of THE PURPLE RIBBON INITIATIVE, click here to send the form online. If you prefer to send it by mail, download here the Purple Ribbon Participation Form. The event is sponsored by the City of Rio Rancho, First Community Bank, Hewlett-Packard, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, RioRanchoChat.com, Rio Rancho High School, Don Chalmers Ford, Daniels Family Funeral Services and Rio Rancho Art Association. If you are interested to become a sponsor, please call Dianne Torrance at 896-4869. For details about the various levels of sponsorhip, click here.

Once you complete your Purple Ribbon Initiative project, please describe it in detail, using the PRI Recognition Form which will allow Haven House and the Youth Government of the City of Rio Rancho to consider it for Special Recognition at the Candle Glow Vigil, which will be held at Rio Rancho High School on Thursday, October 29, 2009.

UPDATES: Please check out the videos provided by RioRanchoChat.com and Malcolm Birch: the Purple Ribbon Initiative kickoff event and the Purple Ribbon at Balloon Fiesta (Wells Fargo's balloon). If you have photos of you or your employees wearing purple, send them to us at pscdv@aol.com and do not forget to join us on Facebook.

The CandleGlow Vigil took place on Thursday, October 29th and it was a very succesful event. For photos of this event, click here.

-- in attendance were Mayor Tom Swisstack; Sharon Pino, the domestic violence "czar" with the office of the Governor; Police Chief Bob Boone, and several officers; Chanel Wiese, Youth Mayor of Rio Rancho; and Dianne Torrance, Executive Director of Haven House;

-- also in attendance were some 125 people, more than double the attendance of last year's Vigil;

-- special certificates were given out to organizations and individuals who participate in the Purple Ribbon Initiative, including:

Education group- STEP Program
Non-profit group- Red Mountain Family Services
Retail business- Starbucks Coffee
Corporate business-Hewlett Packard
Faith based organizations-Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church
Community group- Rio Rancho Chamber of Commerce
The Power in Numbers award-Blue Cross Blue Shield
The Above and Beyond Award- Don Chalmers Ford
Mayor's Special Recognition Award-Linda Shaw

A special "Thank you" to our sponsors and all Purple Ribbon Initiative Participants: Susan Bell, Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Team, Coldwell Banker Legacy on Unser, Don Chalmers Ford, Elks Club Rio Rancho, First Community Bank, Naomi Hanauer, Hewlett Packard, Hip Hop Dance team of Rio Rancho High School, Idalia Farmers Market, Intel - Human Resources, JC Penney Call Center, Key Club of Rio Rancho High School, Message Envy - Rockaway Store, Red Mountain Family Services, Rio Rancho Police Deprtment, Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, Rio Rancho Youth Governing Body, Rotary Club of Rio Rancho, Rotary Club of Rio Rancho - Sunrise, Schlotzsky's- Rio Rancho, Linda Shaw, Starbucks - Rockaway Store, S.T.E.P. Class of Rio Rancho High School, YMCA of Rio Rancho, Zoey's TLC Bed & Breakfast for Dogs & Cats.

Also, a special "Thank you" to Haven House former Board member, Marci Blaze (Four Alarm Marketing) that organized the Purple Ribbon Initiative and to Jaclyn Deniston, Haven House volunteer that coordinated all volunteer activities related with the Purple Ribbon events.