Royal blue ribbons with stars are being worn around the country this week as people remember crime victims.

Along with the ribbons celebrating “Victims’ Rights: Reach for the Stars,” people are given a verse written by a victim saying, “Someday I will shine in the heavens among other stars. The ones placed up there on survivor’s row, someone to look up to and make a wish upon.”

The 21st anniversary of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides services and support in the aftermath of criminal victimization. The event will run until Saturday.

Ribbons will be available at the Story County Attorney’s office, the Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support in the Story County Courthouse, and Youth and Shelter Services, 420 Kellogg Ave., in Ames. The Story County Courthouse also will hand out ribbons Friday during the Share Program, said Cathy Vincent, victim witness assistance program coordinator for the Story County Attorney’s office.

The Share Program, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will allow anyone who has been affected by crime to submit drawings, poems, short stories or journal entries for people to read, Vincent said. During the program, people also can get information about area services and victims’ rights.

In addition to the program, Vincent said the Story County clothesline will be displayed. The clothesline is an accumulation of T-shirts that victims have written on to express their feelings and experiences. Participants also will have the opportunity to make their own T-shirts, she said.

Melisa Brynsaas, intern of the victim specialist at YSS, said children also can participate in the program.

“There will be rock painting for kids who have to testify,” she said. “It’ll give them something to hang on to while they are on the stand.”

Also this week different agencies have been collecting teddy bears, said Brynsaas, senior in child and family services.

“We’re collecting new teddy bears for victims of crime so when they go to court they will have a special friend,” she said.

Julie Harders, coordinator for the Story County Sexual Assault Response Team, said the teddy bears will serve a variety of purposes.

“It may help a child who is in counseling, who has to go to court or needs to be away from home, which may be a scary experience,” she said.

Harders said the teddy bears may be dropped off at North Grand Mall, 2801 Grand Ave., the Story County Courthouse in Nevada, ACCESS and YSS.

Vincent said many organizations around the county are helping to raise awareness this week including the Story County Sheriff’s Office, YSS and the Story County Attorney’s office. The agencies are hoping to help current victims and future victims.

“It’s not crime specific. You never know when you’ll be victimized by crime,” Vincent said. “We’re hoping to bring attention to services in Story County so people know where they can go and what their rights are.”