La Casa unveils memorial garden in memory of those killed by domestic violence
Leah Romero
LAS CRUCES - La Casa Inc. unveiled its new memorial garden Thursday in honor of those who have died due to domestic violence. The garden is located outside the domestic violence shelter at 800 S. Walnut St.
The area was previously unruly and overgrown. In partnership with Western Sky Community Care and others, the area was turned into a place where people lost to the silent epidemic will be remembered. Four memorial plaques are featured with additional memorials planned, along with more trees.
Kris Gomez with Western Sky Community Care said the project has been in the works for about two years, but COVID-19 and other obstacles delayed the process.
Employees released balloons within the "circle of honor" at the center of the garden Thursday as a subsequent remembrance.
The unveiling coincided with Domestic Violence Awareness Month and La Casa’s 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil Thursday evening. Candles were lit at the Plaza de Las Cruces in honor of domestic violence survivors and in memory of those who have died.
“A lot of the work that we do is still taboo,” said Flor Gonzalez, support services director at La Casa.
The garden also features a memorial bench in honor of Gina Orona-Ruiz, a former executive director who made a significant impact within the agency and the community.
Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, lromero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.