Family Services will lead a domestic violence awareness walk Oct. 29 on the Walkway Over the Hudson, bringing together officials, law enforcement, advocates and residents from Ulster and Dutchess counties.

The Purple Walk to End Domestic Violence will begin at 3 p.m., with participants starting from both the Poughkeepsie and Highland approaches to the Walkway. Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger will lead groups from opposite sides of the Hudson River, meeting in the center of the span.

The event is intended to honor survivors and others affected by domestic violence while highlighting resources available to victims and the importance of prevention and education.

“Ending domestic violence requires a community-wide commitment to ensuring that survivors have the support, resources, and safety they deserve,” said Leah Feldman, CEO of Family Services. “By bringing together leaders, advocates, law enforcement, and community members from both sides of the Hudson River, we are sending a powerful message that ending domestic violence is a responsibility we all share.”

Serino said Dutchess County is committed to working with community organizations to support survivors.

“We stand united against domestic violence,” Serino said. “Events like today’s walk amplify our shared commitment to a community that is grounded in safety, dignity, and respect for every person.”

Metzger said the participation of the two county executives demonstrates a united response to domestic violence.

“It sends a powerful message of unity for New York’s two women County Executives, each from a different party, to lead this walk to end domestic violence and uplift the voices of survivors,” Metzger said.

Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa are sponsoring purple accessories for participants in an effort to create a display of support for domestic violence survivors.

“As your Sheriff, combating domestic violence continues to be a top priority of mine,” Imperati said, adding that partnerships between law enforcement and community organizations are important to supporting victims and holding offenders accountable.

“No one should have to live in fear in their own home,” Figueroa said. “Survivors deserve to be heard, supported, and protected.”

The walk is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m., with the walk itself beginning at 3:15 p.m. Community organizations, businesses, faith leaders and residents are invited to participate.

Family Services, founded in 1879, provides victim services, mental health care, family support, teen programs and substance-use prevention services in Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties. The organization said nearly 22,000 children, adults and families benefited from its programs last year.