KISSIMMEE, Fla. — As Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to a close, Help Now of Osceola is bringing the community together for an evening of remembrance, solidarity and hope with its “Steps of Strength” rally, awareness walk and candlelight vigil tonight, Thursday, October 29, at 6 p.m., beginning at the Osceola County Courthouse in downtown Kissimmee.
The event, organized by Help Now of Osceola in partnership with the Osceola County Domestic Violence Task Force and supported by the Rotary Club of Kissimmee Bay, will bring together survivors, advocates, local officials and community members to raise awareness about domestic violence, honor those whose lives have been lost and encourage continued support for individuals and families affected by abuse.
One of the evening’s featured speakers will be Tara Petito, the bonus mother of Gabby Petito, whose tragic death in 2021 brought national attention to domestic violence and the importance of recognizing warning signs in abusive relationships.
Since Gabby’s death, Tara has worked through the Gabby Petito Foundation to turn unimaginable personal loss into advocacy, helping raise awareness, support survivors and educate families about the dangers of domestic violence. Her participation in Thursday’s event will bring a deeply personal perspective to the community’s ongoing efforts to prevent abuse and support those affected by it.
The evening will begin with a community rally at the Osceola County Courthouse, featuring messages from survivors, local officials and advocates. Participants will then walk together through the streets of downtown Kissimmee, demonstrating solidarity with survivors and calling attention to the need to end violence against women, children and families.
The awareness walk will conclude at the Kissimmee Police Department, where a candlelight vigil will honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence while offering a message of hope and encouragement to survivors.
Organizers encourage participants to wear purple, the nationally recognized color of domestic violence awareness, and bring signs expressing their support.
A Week of Remembrance Across Osceola County
Thursday’s gathering follows another meaningful community event held Wednesday evening, October 28, when Help Now of Osceola and the Osceola County Domestic Violence Task Force hosted their second annual “A Light That Remembers” candlelight vigil at St. Cloud City Hall.
The vigil provided an opportunity for residents to come together in remembrance of domestic violence victims, support survivors and reinforce the importance of community involvement in preventing abuse.
The two events are part of a broader series of activities throughout October designed to increase awareness, strengthen community partnerships and remind survivors that help and support are available.
Over the past two weeks, Help Now has also received proclamations from the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud and Osceola County, recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the organization’s ongoing work to provide safety, resources and assistance to victims of domestic violence.
Butterfly Murals Offer Lasting Messages of Hope and Remembrance
Awareness efforts have also extended into the arts, with students and local artists using butterfly imagery to symbolize transformation, hope, healing and remembrance.
In downtown Kissimmee, a meaningful butterfly mural at Broadway Pizza Bar, originally unveiled in October 2021, recently received a refresh after five years.
Created by local artist Jules Davidson Ross, the mural honors the life and memory of Nicole Montalvo, a longtime Broadway Pizza Bar employee whose life was tragically taken by domestic violence in 2019.
The original project brought together Help Now of Osceola, the Nicole Montalvo Foundation and the local arts community to create a lasting tribute to Montalvo while raising awareness about domestic violence.
The refreshed artwork continues to serve as a visible reminder of the lives lost to abuse and the importance of supporting survivors.
Students at the Osceola County School for the Arts have also contributed to awareness efforts through butterfly-themed artwork and student-led creative projects, demonstrating how young people can use art to communicate messages of compassion, remembrance and positive change.
Together, these projects reinforce a central message of Domestic Violence Awareness Month: that preventing abuse and supporting survivors requires the involvement of the entire community.
Community Encouraged to Take Part Tonight
As Help Now concludes its October awareness activities, Thursday’s Steps of Strength event offers residents an opportunity to move beyond awareness and demonstrate their commitment to creating safer homes, healthier relationships and a community where survivors know they are not alone.
The evening’s theme, “Together We Walk. Together We Heal,” reflects the importance of unity, compassion and collective action in addressing domestic violence.
Steps of Strength begins tonight, Thursday, October 29, at 6 p.m. at the Osceola County Courthouse in downtown Kissimmee. The rally will be followed by an awareness walk and candlelight vigil at the Kissimmee Police Department.
For additional event information, contact andieh@helpnowshelter.org.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or concerned about someone who may be in danger can contact Help Now of Osceola’s confidential 24-hour crisis hotline at 407-847-8562 or visit www.helpnowshelter.org. In an immediate emergency, call 911.
Through remembrance, education and community support, Help Now continues working toward a future where every individual and family can live free from violence and fear.
