GONZALES — This weekend, nonprofit Help and Hope of Ascension is hosting Domestic Violence Awareness Weekend to help break the silence and restore hope. 

Louisiana recorded 51 domestic violence homicides in 2025, consistently ranking among the top states in the country on this metric. 

Help and Hope founder Tina Ross visited 2une In on Wednesday to discuss how her organization, through events like the ones this weekend, can honor those who have died, support survivors, educate families and empower the community with resources to prevent future tragedies. 

The awareness weekend starts Friday with a Ride for a Cause from Big River to Jambalaya Park; the bicycle ride starts at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, starting at 9 a.m., there will be a Stop the Violence Walk and Rally. This will start at Cornerview and Burnside and see attendees walk to Jambalaya Park.

Closing the weekend, Sunday will see a family dance celebration, which Ross says provides an opportunity to celebrate life, love, healing and unity. This will be at 3 p.m. at 1205 Cornerview Road.