Joyce Quaweay, Young Mother Murdered by Boyfriend, Gets Moving Tribute from Coworkers for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Joyce Quaweay, Young Mother Murdered in Act of Domestic Violence, Gets Moving Tribute from Coworkers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Adam Hymans, 215.796.7759, ahymans@spininc.org
Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2pt1umm5i7h8qj6/AABnredUGaqJzW67nf8GUhYLa?dl=0
(credit: Terry Neumeister)
Tribute Video: https://vimeo.com/187681403
PHILADELPHIA and BETHLEHEM, Pa (October 20, 2016) – Joyce Quaweay’s murder made headlines in August after the 24-year-old mother of two was allegedly beaten to death in front of her children by her boyfriend, a former Temple University police officer. Few were as devastated by her tragic loss as her coworkers; she worked at SPIN, a nonprofit in Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley where Joyce provided support for women with intellectual disabilities. On Wednesday and Thursday, hundreds of coworkers gathered along with Joyce’s family and local domestic violence support organizations in a touching tribute. The event raised funds for Joyce’s children and for local domestic violence organizations, Women In Transition, of Philadelphia, and Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley.
SPIN’s tribute to Joyce is the culmination of weeks of domestic violence support training and awareness-raising across the organization. “Joyce’s murder devastated our community of caring people,” says Kathy Brown-McHale, President and CEO of SPIN. “To honor Joyce’s life, we wanted to raise awareness and understanding about domestic partner violence in the hope it may help other employees, their families and the community we care about.” Nearly half of the organization’s 1300 employees are Black women. Black women are nearly three times as likely to die at the hands of their partner as women of other races. Domestic and intimate partner violence is one of the leading causes of death for Black women between the ages of 15 and 35.
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About SPIN
SPIN provides the highest quality, people-first services and support for children and adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. SPIN supports more than 3,000 people across Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. Find out more at spininc.org.
About Women In Transition
Women In Transition is an early intervention and prevention agency – helping women identify the causes and prevalence of domestic or substance abuse in their lives and make long-lasting changes for themselves and their children. Find out more at helpwomen.org
About Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley
Turning Point is a safe place where victims of abuse and their children can find refuge. Turning Point provides services in Lehigh and Northampton counties and reaches nearly 4,000 people a year through its programs and services. Those include: a 24-hour Helpline, Safe House, Counseling, Support Groups, Court Advocacy, Community Outreach, Prevention Education, and Medical Advocacy. Find out more at turningpointlv.org
