Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin to host talk by Michelle Knight

Michelle Knight, the Cleveland woman who survived more than 10 years of captivity, will be at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School for a program taking place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 19.
Mark Nolan of WMJI-FM 105.7 will moderate an open conversation about her ability to survive, forgive and overcome darkness. Autographed copies of her book will be available for purchase.

The event is being hosted by Friends of WomenSafe. Cost of a ticket is $20 and can be ordered online at www.eventbrite.com (search for Michelle Knight), or call the Friends of WomenSafe reservation line at 440-285-3741.

NDCL is located at 13000 Auburn Road in Munson Township.
 

Parks dedicated to Cleveland kidnapping victim Gina DeJesus

Two lots where abandoned homes once sat in Cleveland have been turned into urban parks dedicated to one of the women held captive in the neighborhood for a decade. The parks are near the home of kidnap victim Gina DeJesus on the west side of Cleveland. Planners tell WOIO-TV 19 that turning the areas into parks will help DeJesus and her family heal from the emotional wounds caused by her long captivity.

Neighbors are happy because they say the abandoned homes attracted crime. All the resources to build the parks were donated. The dedication was Aug. 10.

DeJesus, Amanda Berry and Michelle Knight escaped from Ariel Castro’s home in May 2103. Castro pleaded guilty last August and committed suicide in prison.