Contrary to popular belief, we journalists do like to report good news. I, personally, love seeing stories of firefighters visiting elementary school kids and rescued Chihuahuas traveling to new homes, because these stories deserve to be told.

At the same time, we need to run the “bad news” stories, too. People need to know when candidates duck questions about their platforms and when crime happens down the street.

The balance between both is what fills newspapers. And sometimes, the two are combined into one story.

Like the sad statistic cited by Genieve Shelter Executive Director Mary Williams-Davis that two victims have died in Suffolk in the last year because of domestic violence. In a world where there is so much negative news to report, sometimes terrible statistics such as these fall through the cracks of our conscience.

And yet, the story also included a discussion of the Genieve Shelter, which does so much good in the community.

One such service will be sponsored by the Genieve Shelter, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Services, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the U.S. Navy’s Fleet and Family Support Centers Mid-Atlantic.

The event, which will run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, will be held at Triple T Sports Center and will include self-defense techniques and resources for domestic violence victims.

The Genieve Shelter also offers emergency shelter, housing, therapy and support groups for victims of domestic violence. The shelter even provides help finding employment, getting medical coverage and replacing necessities that had to be left behind in a bad situation. The good the shelter does for those who have faced the worst moments of their lives and escaped is inestimable.

But support networks like the Genieve Shelter need to be supported as well. That’s where we can all become part of the good programs in our community.

The Genieve Shelter has to support its own operation, as well as the many families it has taken under its wing. But in order to serve more victims struggling through difficult times, the shelter needs our help.

“We need more donors, and we need more volunteers,” Williams-Davis told the Suffolk News-Herald. Thanks to the poor economy, she said, domestic violence is on the uptick in Suffolk and the need for services has subsequently increased.

From donations of time, money or even coats, scarves and hats, everyone has the chance to be part of the good news in Suffolk.