Foothills residents are about to see a whole lot more purple this November.

This month marks Family Violence Prevention Month. Rowan House will be putting purple ribbons around Okotoks and High River in order to spread information and facts about family violence.

The emergency shelter will also be kick-starting their Lace Up to End Family Violence campaign this month. Purple shoelaces will be available from Rowan House for residents to wear throughout the month of November.

"It's really just about raising the volume on the conversation around domestic violence," said Ally Cramm, Community Relations Coordinator for Rowan House. "Rowan House works on this all year long, but because it's highlighted in the month of November we really take that opportunity to get the community talking about it as well."

It's now been several years that Rowan House has been doing the purple ribbons and shoelaces, and the hope is that the bright colours help keep the conversation alive.

"Whether we want to admit it or talk about it, domestic violence is happening here in the Foothills, and it's not going to go away," said Cramm. "(Family violence) thrives in secrecy, which is why it's so important for us to not be afraid to have these conversations. And I think in the last number of years those conversations have been happening more and more."

Locations for residents to pick up the shoelaces will be announced through Rowan House's social media pages.

Cramm says this November will also feature the rollout of a social media campaign with videos giving a background look at non-profit's programming and contributions to the community.

"We're not just a bed, there's so much more that we provide to women and children and the community."

Family Violence Prevention month will kick off in the Foothills with Breakfast With the Guys at the D'Arcy Golf Club this morning.

 

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