Luminaries to Honor Over 100 of Chesapeake’s Domestic Violence Victims

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare is acknowledging the 100 victims of interpersonal violence they have helped since the HOPE (Healing Opportunities Providing Empowerment) program began two years ago. Tonight from 6:30-7  p.m., luminaries will be displayed in the hospital’s brick garden (outside of the side/Garden Entrance facing Battlefield Blvd.) to honor each of the victims.

“We are lighting a candle for each of the domestic violence victims we’ve advocated for and supported since the HOPE program began in 2020,” said Meredith Noha, Interpersonal Violence Program Coordinator at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare. “This program was created for our patients, employees, and their families in hopes of breaking the cycle of violence that often occurs in families affected by domestic violence. The HOPE program works with our clients to establish a life free of threats, fear and violence. Everyone deserves to feel safe.”  

HOPE is the only program of its kind in Chesapeake providing 24/7 advocacy and support services to individuals and families who experience domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Advocates partner with other community organizations to assist with a variety of services, including crisis intervention, court and forensic examination accompaniment, legal advocacy, mental health resources and safety planning for survivors after hospitalization. 

The program has been recognized with a 2022 Inside Business Health Care Hero Award and Noha was awarded the Virginia Victim Assistance Network’s Award for Innovation in 2021.

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare was selected in 2020 as one of seven hospital teams to receive a Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) grant-funded initiative aimed at improving public safety and health outcomes for victims of violence in high-need communities. The Virginia Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) Collaborative grant, awarded to VHHA Foundation, the charitable affiliate of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA), is implemented at Chesapeake Regional and six other Virginia hospitals. 

Anyone seeking intervention services in Chesapeake is encouraged to call 757-407-3939, or email Meredith.Noha@ChesapeakeRegional.com.

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About Chesapeake Regional Healthcare
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare is a health system laser focused on innovation, known for making medical history in the region and providing patients with truly personal care. It’s hospital, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, is the only independent, community-based hospital in Hampton Roads. With a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the best heart attack survival rates of the major systems in the region, and a nationally accredited Chest Pain Center, Chesapeake Regional’s cardiac program is expanding. The system has a state-of-the-art neurointerventional suite, comprehensive cancer care, the most preferred Labor & Delivery program in the area, over 40 practice locations and approximately 600 physicians on staff. Chesapeake Regional Healthcare’s innovative, technologically advanced health care saves lives every day. For more information, visit www.chesapeakeregional.com.