The Power of Showing Up

What is National Night Out?

Coming from our own backyard in the suburbs of Philadelphia, National Night Out is an annual event occurring on the first Tuesday in August. What began as a communal display of lit porch lights and neighbors stepping outside, united against crime, has grown into one of the nation’s largest annual celebrations. Hosting an average of 38 million people, those from around 16,000 communities each year gather to honor their townships, connect with their first responders, relax with neighbors, and discover quintessential community resources and services.

At its heart, National Night Out is about bringing people together. Across the country, this event serves as a welcoming space for residents, their local law enforcement, and first responders to form meaningful relationships with those they serve in comfortable, fun environments.

The goal of National Night Out and providing these opportunities for connection is simple: to strengthen relationships, build trust, and foster resilience in support of safer, healthier neighborhoods.

Our Attendance and Impact

This year, Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley (CVC) had the honor of attending National Night Out events in four municipalities across the Lehigh Valley. Hosted by local law enforcement agencies, CVC was present in Whitehall, Upper Saucon, Upper Macungie, and Salisbury Townships. Our advocates were thrilled to not only witness but participate in the essential community and relationship building that makes events like these so meaningful. Throughout the evening, we had the opportunity to connect with residents, share information about our services, and join our community for an evening of family fun and collaboration.

As Lehigh and Northampton counties’ comprehensive Victim Services agency, increasing trust and visibility throughout the communities we service is central to CVC’s mission. We recognize that trust can look and feel different depending on someone’s identity or life experiences. Whether someone chooses to report their experience to the police and would like advocate support navigating that process or chooses not to include law enforcement but is still ready to embark on their healing journey, CVC is here to support and empower survivors, ensuring they know they have options.

While National Night Out provides a hope-filled evening of camaraderie, connection, collaboration, and hope, care for survivors and communities affected by crime and violence should not, and as CVC vows, will not begin and end with this annual event. Whether through continued prevention education through our Outreach Prevention team for a school or organization, accessing our no-cost, confidential counseling services, assistance filing for financial compensation, or advocate accompaniment to a hospital, police station, or court event, CVC advocates are accessible year-round, 24/7.

Safe communities are not a privilege, they are something that every single person deserves to thrive with the support of. By building trust, increasing awareness, and ensuring survivors have access to comprehensive and compassionate services, we can all play a role in creating neighborhoods that promote safety, healing, and wellness.

If you have any more questions about CVC’s role in National Night Out or are interested in learning more about or accessing our services, you may reach our 24/7 hotline at (610) 437-6611 or visit us at www.cvclv.org/ for further contact information.

Together, we increase awareness. Together, we promote trust and safety. Together, we make a change.