TINLEY PARK, IL — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Crisis Center for South Suburbia is using the month to draw attention to survivor services, community education and fundraising in the Chicago South Suburbs. The nonprofit, founded in 1979, says it has long served individuals and families affected by domestic abuse across the region.
This year’s campaign includes a candlelight vigil, trivia night, restaurant givebacks and in-store butterfly messages designed to keep the issue visible while bringing in needed donations. Executive Director Pam Kostecki said survivors deserve to feel heard, supported and safe, and called the month a communitywide invitation to stand with them.
A month focused on awareness, safety and local support
The Crisis Center says Domestic Violence Awareness Month is especially important because domestic abuse affects a large number of people in Illinois. The organization cites estimates that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the state experience domestic violence, underscoring why local outreach matters.
For the center, awareness is tied directly to practical help. The nonprofit provides emergency shelter and essential services for survivors and families who need immediate support. By connecting public events with direct assistance, the organization aims to make the issue more visible while reminding residents that help is available close to home.
CCSS says the broader mission is to end domestic abuse through education, intervention and advocacy. Its staff and supporters see October as a time not only to honor survivors, but also to educate neighbors about warning signs and local resources.
Vigil on Oct. 6 will honor victims and survivors
The centerpiece of the month is a Domestic Violence Awareness Month candlelight vigil scheduled for Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m. The gathering is described as a tribute to people who have died because of domestic violence and to those still living with abuse or recovering from it.
Events like this are meant to give the community a visible way to show support. The center is pairing the vigil with a larger message: survivors should not have to face the aftermath of abuse alone. Organizers say the evening will serve as both remembrance and a call to action.
Along with the emotional significance of the vigil, the event is part of a broader campaign to keep domestic violence in public view throughout October. The center hopes that sustained attention will translate into sustained support.
How donations help fund shelter and new starts
CCSS is also pushing a fundraising goal of more than $50,000 for the month, helped by a matching gift from the Greer Foundation. The organization says every donation can make a concrete difference for survivors trying to stabilize their lives after abuse.
According to the center, a $50 gift can cover one night of emergency shelter for a survivor fleeing domestic violence. A $500 contribution can help a family starting over pay one month of rent, which can be an important step toward stability and independence.
The nonprofit says the fundraising drive is intended to support programs and services throughout the year, not just in October. Donations can be made through the organization’s website, where residents can also learn more about the campaign and the help available to survivors.
Trivia, cupcakes and purple butterflies add community participation
Several lighter community events are also planned to give residents easy ways to get involved. Trivia Night is set for Oct. 15 at Bremen VFW Post 2781 in Tinley Park. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the evening will include trivia, prizes, raffles and a cash bar.
Another monthlong effort invites shoppers at Neat Repeats in Orland Park and Worth to donate $1 and write a message of support for survivors. Participants can also dedicate butterflies in honor or memory of someone, creating a visible display of solidarity that runs all month.
Creative Cakes Bakery is also taking part with “butterfly” cupcakes, and 10 percent of proceeds during October will benefit CCSS. Organizers say these smaller events help widen participation, especially for people who may want to support the cause in a simple, family-friendly way.
Restaurant fundraisers give diners two more ways to help
Two Tinley Park restaurants are also joining the effort with dine-and-donate nights. Portillo’s at 15900 Harlem Ave. will donate part of sales on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. Customers can show a flyer to the cashier, or use the coupon code PORTILLOS19 when ordering online.
Lou Malnati’s at 9501 W. 171st St. will hold its own fundraiser on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Diners should mention the Crisis Center for South Suburbia before ordering in person, or use the promo code GIVEBACK25 online.
The center says these events help people support survivors while going about ordinary errands or family meals. By spreading the campaign across several locations and dates, organizers hope to make participation easy for more neighbors.
A long-running nonprofit serving thousands each year
Founded in 1979, the Crisis Center for South Suburbia says it now serves more than 3,400 people annually. Its work reaches beyond emergency shelter to include education and intervention services aimed at helping families leave abuse behind and move toward safer lives.
The organization has built its October campaign around that broader mission, combining public events with fundraising and outreach. For staff members, the month is both a remembrance of lives affected by domestic violence and a practical effort to sustain year-round support.
Residents seeking details about events, registration or ways to help can visit the center’s website or follow its social media accounts. The nonprofit says even modest gifts can help provide shelter, stability and a path forward for survivors in need.