Local musicians, poets, and survivors of domestic violence will come together, Tuesday, November 16, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Buffalo State's Campbell Student Union lobby for “Breaking the Silence, Raising Awareness through Art and Music."

Sponsored by the Violence Intervention and Victim Advocacy, Kappa Omega Social Work Honor Society, United Students Government, Health Promotions, Weigel Health Center, and several other organizations on campus, the event's goal is to raise awareness of domestic and relationship violence in Western New York and provide inspiration through art and music.

"This is an interactive way to bring people together who either have been affected by domestic violence, know nothing about it, or just want to learn more," said Paula Madrigal, Domestic Violence Planning Committee member and president of Kappa Omega Social Work Honor Society. "Everyone is motivated and inspired differently—We hope that through the various speakers, art, artists, and activities, we can show how important domestic violence awareness truly is."

In addition to survivors' spoken word and poetry reading, live musical will be heard from Flatline, Wendell Rivera, Meghan Kay, Finger Lickin Good, and Jessica Lee.

Art education students will be helping guests make cards of “hope and inspiration” to be donated to the Haven House.

Several organizations will be present with information tables, including Crisis Services, Haven House, Erie County Sheriff’s Department and the Family Justice Center.

Kappa Omega will also be collecting old cell phones, batteries or chargers to donate to HopeLine. HopeLine refurbishes old cell phones and distributes them to domestic violence clients.