For More Information Contact:
Lora McGuire - (815) 725-6847
Roxane Geraci-Militello - (815) 482-7385 

For Immediate Release
June 8, 2010 

Will County Take Back the Night Announces Fall Event
Domestic Violence Survivor and Author is Keynote

A story of survival, along with insight on overcoming violence will be a key message at the 2010 Will County Take Back the Night (TBTN) march and rally set for this fall.  In a recent announcement by the steering committee, this year’s event is confirmed for Thursday, October 14, 6 p.m. at the University of St. Francis (USF), 500 Wilcox St. in Joliet. Ms. Brenda Taylor, domestic violence survivor and author, will be the featured speaker.

Taylor, recent author of her personal memoir, Beauty to Ashes, will share her story of survival with the Will County community, as well as provide insight on defeating violence and strengthening one’s identity.  She also founded Limited Expression in October 2005, offering those affected by domestic violence education, resources and support.  

The annual Will County TBTN event will also include a vigil honoring women and children from the county who were murdered by violence in the past 10 years. Booths offering resources and information on the issue will be available.

“In our 14^th year, the TBTN steering committee continues to provide education and awareness on domestic violence by providing programs and workshops, as well as the annual Will County event in October,” said April Balzhiser, chair of the 2010 Will County TBTN steering committee. “However, we couldn’t have come this far without the support and generosity of the community – and hope to see many of them at our upcoming march and vigil at USF on October 14.”   

Will County TBTN committee meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month.  The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 6, 5:30 p.m. at the Joliet Township Office, 175 W. Jefferson Street in Joliet.  To donate or for more information on Will County Take Back the Night, go to  www.willtbtn.com or contact committee chair April Balzhiser at (815) 729-0930 - Ext. 231. More information on Brenda Taylor and Liberated Expression is at www.liberatedexpression.com.

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Russ Slinkard and Mary Jaworski of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce
with members of the Will County Take Back the Night committee.

For Immediate Release
January 19, 2010

Will County Take Back the Night Donates to Local
Children's Advocacy Center

With a mission to aid victims of violence, Will County Take Back the Night (TBTN) recently presented a check for $865 to the Will County Child Advocacy Center for equipment used to interview children victims of sexual abuse.  Conducted in a neutral, child-friendly environment, the interviews are part of the Advocacy�s Center�s child abuse program for victims reported to law enforcement or the Department of Children and Family Services.

�As a non-profit agency, the Will County Children�s Advocacy Center depends on local support from organizations such as Take Back the Night,� said Will County State�s Attorney, Jim Glasgow, who also serves as board chairman of the Advocacy Center. �I want to thank Take Back the Night for its generous donation, which will be used to purchase a critical piece of equipment that will enable us to record statements from children who are believed to be the victims of sexual or extreme physical abuse.�

An international effort, Take Back the Night was first held in Germany in 1973 in response to a series of sexual assaults and murders against women. Will County�s Take Back the Night began in Joliet in 1997. Each year groups throughout the world have awareness events that support victims of violence. Will County�s TBTN march and vigil is held annually in October and is supported by community sponsorships and donations. Proceeds to Will County TBTN are used for the October awareness event and contributions to area agencies working with the issues of domestic violence.

For more information on Will County Take Back the Night go to www.willtbtn.com. More information on the Will County Child Advocacy Center is at www.willcountychildadvocacy.com.

JOLIET -- People crowded into the theater at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park on Thursday night to stand vigil in honor of victims of violence against women.

The 13th Annual Take Back The Night event was intended not only to serve as a memorial for those affected by violence, but also as a vehicle for educating others about the issue.

Violence against women isn't confined to domestic incidents, said Chairwoman Jodi Wartenberg. It is far-reaching, and touches all women in everyday life, she said.

This year's speaker, Art Moore with the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention, urged men to actively prevent violence against women.

"He's trying to bring an awareness to men that any woman they know will do everything they can in order to make themselves safe," Wartenberg said. "(Women) don't just park anywhere. They look in the back seat. They put a hammer in their car. There's things women do every day to lessen their chance of being a victim. The fact that the threat is there changes her life."

In March, Angela Charles, 23, and her husband Brian Charles, 31, were shot to death in their Joliet Township home. Their 2-year-old son Sean was spared. Police found him in the home when they found his parents.

Angela's mother, Jackie Roth, grandparents, other family members and friends attended Thursday's event in their memory.

"It's sad," said Jackie Roth, Angela's mother, stroking the toddler's head. "This little boy asks about his mom and his dad all the time."

Police are still investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made.

Roth said she had heard about Take Back The Night before, but had not attended until this year.

"I can't solve the murder. But I want to do something," Roth said.

Melissa Plut, 28, was strangled in her Joliet home in September 2000.

Her mother, Pat Plut, has attended nearly every Take Back The Night event since.

Holding a sign with her daughter's photo, Plut said she hopes the event will help stop the spread of violence against women.

"It's sad also for us to come, because this is the night we remember all the violence," Plut said.

Vince Trevizo was found guilty of Plut's murder and of setting fire to her home. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison in July 2003, with an additional five to 10 years in prison for aggravated arson.

"Before it happened to me, which I never thought it would happen to me, I never knew (Take Back The Night) existed," Plut said. "Now that I do, I come and bring my friends."

Take Back The Night isn't just the annual vigil and march, Wartenberg said. The organization brought Moore's program, StandUp, to local high schools, and donates money to area organizations that help victims of violence.

The organization is looking for partner agencies to create a court watch program, where volunteers would go to court hearings to ensure victims are treated fairly.

For more information on Take Back The Night, visit the group's Web site, www.willtbtn.com .

The Will County Take Back the Night's steering committee would like to thank Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson for signing on to the Dear Colleague letter to support full funding for the Violence Against Women Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Service Act in the 2010 budget.

Attributing to our current economic crisis, we are witnessing an increase in domestic violence. Not only is there an increase in numbers of violence but reports show more frequent, more violent and more dangerous abuse where domestic violence already exists.

Sadly during this time of soaring demand for services, agencies are faced with proposed federal funding cuts and the decline of private donations. Have no doubt, reducing federal funds for programs that assist domestic violence victims and their children will have social ramifications throughout our community that will last for generations to come.

The above mentioned acts are the foundation for funding to our local agencies. By signing the letter, Halvorson has demonstrated her commitment to our community and to the women that experience domestic violence. She understands the complicated process that women encounter, along with their children, when they are suddenly faced with the need for safe housing and resources to sustain themselves.

We all have the opportunity to show our commitment to unraveling this epidemic problem and helping the effected families by donating and volunteering to local agencies like Guardian Angel Community Services, Lambsfold Center for Women and Children, Will County Legal Assistance Program and Bridges to a New Day.

Will County Take Back the Night inspires women and men to confront all violence and sexual assault against women. This year's annual march and vigil will take place Oct. 8. Please visit our Web site at www.willtbtn.com.

Jodi Wartenberg, Chairwoman
Will County Take Back the Night

For Immediate Release
November 25, 2008

Take Back the Night Committee
Contributes to the Community

Joliet, Ill. -- Each year, the Take Back the Night Committee organizes and holds the annual march and vigil community event which focuses on the need to end violence against women.  Through a cooperative effort with the Joliet Chamber of Commerce, funds are raised to support the costs associated with holding the event and the remaining funds are distributed to local agencies which help in the mission of ending violence against women.

This year over $2500.00 was distributed to the following agencies:  the Will County Legal Assistance Program, Child Advocacy Center of Will County, Lamb�s Fold Center for Women and Children, Groundwork Services, Sexual Assault Services Center, Bridges to a New Day, and Court Appointed Special Advocates of Will County. 

These agencies have demonstrated their ability to assist women and their families through difficult personal experiences.  The agencies provide a variety of counseling services, housing needs and personal attention to the individuals seeking help.  More often than not, those seeking help work through the difficult experience and emerge a stronger and more resourceful person. 

�The Take Back the Night Committee is proud to be part of a giving community who support our efforts and the efforts of the local service agencies.  The committee is pleased to share funding with local programs that help women in need�, said 2009 Chairperson Jodi Wartenberg.

November 25, 2008 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women as designated by the United Nations General Assembly.  Acknowledging the importance of the date, the Committee, made a donation of $300.00 to the Joliet Public Library to purchase books which will help educate the public on the issue of violence against women. 

�Violence against women, in our community and around the world, is the most shocking example of human rights abuse.  This contribution to the library will enable the people of our community to learn more about the subject and hopefully become concerned with solutions.� said Wartenberg.

The Committee has already started to organize next year�s event.  Anyone wishing to learn more about Take Back the Night or to join the committee should contact Jodi Wartenberg at 815-723-1497.