FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Sacred Heart University fraternity Delta Tau Delta endeavored to help end domestic violence against women with its annual White Ribbon Campaign, organized in collaboration with the Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport.
The event, which took place in the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts at the end of March, included speeches, a raffle and other attractions to raise awareness about domestic violence. The White Ribbon Campaign has become part of Delta Tau Delta’s local philanthropy.
“This issue doesn’t get talked about enough, despite [domestic violence] taking place in our homes, universities and social environments,” said Greg Trezza, Delta Tau Delta president. “If we’re going to make a change, we need all hands on deck.”
The Center for Family Justice aims to break the cycle of abuse and violence by providing services that create hope, restore lives and drive social change through education and community collaboration. The White Ribbon Campaign helps publicize the mission.
Groups of men and boys in 60 countries participate in the movement, which began as a response to a horrendous mass shooting at the École Polytechnique, a college in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Dec. 6, 1989.
The Rev. Michael Neeland, SHU campus ministry chaplain, began the event with a prayer, and SHU President John J. Petillo praised the organizers’ work. “It is wonderful to see a group of dedicated young Sacred Heart students speaking out about such an important issue,” Petillo said.
Guest speakers at the White Ribbon Campaign event shared stories and expressed gratitude for community support. Others promised to spread awareness about domestic violence against women. “It is up to you all to make a change and spread this message to your peers, friends, family and community,” said Jack Krosnowski, Delta Tau Delta philanthropy chair.
Matthew Reale ’86, president of the Center for Family Justice board of directors, said SHU proves itself to be a leader in social justice causes through participation in events like the White Ribbon Campaign. “I’m a proud graduate of SHU, and it’s people like [Delta Tau Delta members] that make it so easy to say that. You are all true Pioneers, trailblazing for what’s right,” said Reale.
Other speakers included Debra Greenwood, Center for Family Justice CEO and executive director; Edward Weihe, the Fairfield Police Department’s field services bureau commander; Francesca Guerrier, a SHU project coordinator who leads University efforts to end violence against women; Tom Gallo, White Ribbon Campaign member and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes publicist; Matt DeVito ’20 Delta Tau Delta chapter adviser and grad student, and Ken Mysogland, Department of Children and Families administrator and SHU social work lecturer.
The campaign concluded with a group signing of an anti-violence petition, a raffle to help fund anti-violence efforts, and the creation of a handprint poster to be displayed at future events. Gary MacNamara, Sacred Heart’s executive director of public safety and government affairs, as well as Fairfield’s former police chief, said students make a valuable difference with awareness-raising functions like the White Ribbon Campaign, and he told them such efforts are the only way to bring about change.
The White Ribbon Campaign kicks off the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence. This year’s walk, scheduled for April 29, will start at the Fairfield Train Station at 9 a.m. MacNamara will lead the procession, which he has done for 10 previous years.
