SUPPORTIVE SISTERS … Sisters, Arrianna Moncivais, Alandra Moncivais, and Aliyah Stairhime of Bryan High School create beautiful artwork to brighten someone’s day.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
On Thursday, September 14th, the Courthouse Square in Bryan, became a hub of hope and positivity as community members came together for the 5th annual “#TalkAwayTheDark” event, organized by Sarah’s Friends.
The event held on World Suicide Day, encouraged locals to chalk positive messages on the sidewalks around the Williams County Courthouse spreading messages of hope and support.
Sarah’s Friends, a program known for its work with survivors of crime in Williams County, recognized that while suicide may not be classified as a crime under the Ohio Revised Code, the impact is just as profound for those left behind.
The organization also assists survivors of suicide, acknowledging the trauma and grief that accompanies such a loss.
Katie Shaffer, Executive Director of Sarah’s Friends, expressed, “We’re just very hopeful that the messages make everyone’s day that sees them.”
The event coincided with Suicide Prevention Week, which ran from Sunday, September 10th to Saturday, September 16th, 2023.
The gathering took place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., accommodating those with various schedules.
Early birds were able to take advantage of the morning hours to leave their positive mark, while most of the participants came to the square between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to pitch in.
In addition to community members, this year a group of students from Bryan High School including Miss Bryan Sonya Stark, helped spread joy by adding some color to the walks.
The initiative has extended its reach this year, inviting all residents of the county to join in, encouraging them to chalk positive messages and share their creations on social media using the hashtag #talkawaythedark.
The aim is to see how far the message of hope can spread, touching lives and hearts across the community and beyond.
By sharing messages of positivity through art and words, the Williams County community demonstrated that sometimes, even small gestures can make a world of difference to someone facing a difficult time.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereporter.com