YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Sojourner House, which helps victims of domestic violence in the Mahoning Valley find a way out, held a candlelight vigil. 

At the First Presbyterian Church in Youngstown, people lit candles in memory of those who never made it to safety. They also celebrated the lives of victims who made it out safely. 

Sharon Grandberry shared that she lived in fear as a child at home due to domestic violence and then as an adult in a relationship.

Grandberry said, "Never be afraid to ask for help because that will leave you in the situation you are in. Life, when I was being abused, was like being locked in a cage with no options, nowhere to go and you had to deal with it. Now I'm free. I'm free to help people and that is my life's mission and I will never stop doing that. That's all because I did ask for help. I used all resources."

The Sojourner House's new shelter built last year has been at capacity.

The program manager for Sojourner House Malinda Gavins said, "I think survivors are seeing now that it's ok for them to speak out and seek services, so I think there is more awareness of it as a community problem." 

Over the past year, the Sojourner House has helped over one thousand women, men and children.

The non-profit along with Beatitude House which helps many served by Sojourner House transition to long-term housing, jobs, and independence says you can help.

Sister Patricia McNicholas said, "Both Beatitude House and Sojourner House are both very dependent on grants and donations to enable these people to have the opportunity to leave a domestic violence situation, an opportunity to build their own self-esteem, an opportunity to create a new future."
 
And for victims, their message is that help in Mahoning County is just a phone call away.

Sojourner House 330-747-4040. Sojourner House has a Facebook page and can be found on the Compass Family and Community Services.