Family, friends of victims/survivors can now nominate for Bridge of Light Award

The Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence has now included the family members and friends of victims or survivors among those eligible to submit nominations for the prestigious Bridge of Light Award.

The Bridge of Light Award is NMCADSV’s annual effort to recognize those who have helped the movement to end violence in the CNMI. This award is meant to honor one extraordinary individual in the CNMI who has worked diligently to provide safety for the community, to work to end domestic violence and sexual assault, and to be a “Bridge of Light” for victims and survivors.

Those eligible to be nominated include service providers, first responders, representatives, or volunteers at one or more eligible agencies, organizations or offices in the CNMI. The nominee must have been employed/volunteered for a minimum of one year and/or have demonstrated one or more extraordinary accomplishments to help sustain the movement. The nominee must also show dedication and effort in the areas of leadership, service, advocacy for victims, prevention, community education or mobilization, and resource development.

Nominations may be submitted by a victim or survivor; a family member or friend of a victim or survivor; a member, representative, and/or volunteer of NMCADSV; or an employee, representative, and/or volunteer at eligible CNMI agencies, organizations, or offices. To verify if an agency, organization, or office may nominate, contact NMCADSV at (670) 234-3878 or email info@endviolencenmi.org.

Nominations may be submitted online through https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BOLA2021WebLink. The deadline to submit a completed nomination form is 11:59pm on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.

It is strongly encouraged that those nominating be as detailed and thorough as possible on the form to show why their nominee is deserving of the award. Those evaluating nominations will consider nominees based only on the information provided on the form.

The recipient of the 2021 Bridge of Light Award will be announced during the Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation signing ceremony slated for October. The award recipient will also be presented with the opportunity to attend a retreat or training courtesy of NMCADSV among other self-care prizes.

Past recipients include Department of Public Safety officer Flora Aguon, Karidat Social Services executive director Lauri B. Ogumoro, Division of Youth Services social worker Mildred W. Sikebert, Karidat Social Services counselor Elaine C. Dela Cruz, Ayuda Network Inc. executive director Diana Camacho, the Attorney General Office’s victim advocate John Aguon, DYS director Vivian T. Sablan, and DPS officer Rose Taman Rios.

For more information on the nomination process or sponsorship, contact the NMCADSV at (670) 234-3878 or email info@endviolencenmi.org. (PR)