TAMPA, Fla. — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month , and in Tampa Bay, one organization is working to shine a spotlight on the issue with a "Light It Up" event on Thursday.

What You Need To Know • Ministerio Mujeres Restauradas Por Dios has been serving victims of domestic violence for 11 years • Nancy Hernandez is the founder of the nonprofit and has been hosting the Light It Up event in Tampa for three years • The nonprofit provides support and resources • The Light It Up for domestic violence awareness event is taking place Thursday in front of Tampa City Hall at 6 p.m.

There’s an old saying: "A dog is man’s best friend." For Nicole LaDue, her animals are that and much more.

She says they’re the support system that’s gotten her through some of the worst moments of her

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