NORWICH – In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Catholic Charities of Chenango County will hold its 7th Annual Celebration of Women at Howard Johnson’s on Thursday.

According to Senior Advocate of the Crime Victims Program Maggie O’Connor, approximately 85 percent of the victims who rely on the local Catholic Charities and its Crime Victims Program suffer from domestic violence and abuse.

“Our mission in sponsoring this event is to educate, empower and educate women, the highest victim population in Chenango County, with the extensive resources they have at their fingertips,” stated O’Connor. “Our goal is to create the finest sampling of women-centered service providers in order to further enlighten and educate women on the many services available throughout Chenango County.”

The event will feature a number of local resources and services available to women through individuals, not-for-profit agencies and businesses, said O’Connor, including employment resourcing; fitness information; nutrition analysis, housing information; massage therapy; hair and nail design; educational opportunities; home-based business information and various health resources.