life adventure camp signBlog

Equine Therapy at the Life Adventure Center

September 10, 2022By

Advocates are always brainstorming ways to connect survivors to the community for healing activities.  

We have a longtime partnership with the Life Adventure Center in Versailles where survivors have taken many trips over the years. The Life Adventure Center uses outdoor adventure to transform lives affected by trauma. They’ve also hosted a lot of our staff retreats.

Advocate Madison Haven recently took a group of residents there for an equine therapy session. 

Passionate about nature and connecting with animals as a form of healing, she was excited to facilitate this experience alongside a group of residents who grew up with horses and missed having that kind of connection with an animal. 

One resident said she had a horse when she was a little girl and riding again made her feel happy and at peace for the first time in a while.

Madison reflected, “It was an incredible experience to be able to observe the horses’ behaviors. To be present while brushing them, get to ride them, and work as a team to corral the horses while respecting them. It was a good lesson of patience and persistence while remaining gentle and understanding of the horse and its own free will and boundaries similar to our own.” 

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ribbon puzzleBlog

Jiggy Puzzles x PK’s Gift Closet

September 6, 2022By

We are so lucky to have a generous community that cares about survivors.  

Amy Rowell – who owns PK’s Gift Closet – shares her collaboration with Jiggy on a lovely puzzle that supports survivors.   

Thank you, Amy!   

I first found out about GreenHouse17 when I donated in memory of a family friend who had spent some time there. When I looked it up to find out more about it, I was so comforted at what a refuge it seemed to be, and I loved the incredible skills that were taught in such a serene environment. I imagined my friend loved being there and found strength in being able to thrive in peace.   

I wasn’t living in Kentucky when I first heard about it, but I moved back in 2020 to start my own business. (I’m a native Lexingtonian.) I believe in serving others in all ways always… and I was anxious to find something local to support and remembered GreenHouse17. Of course, 2020 was a mess but I tried to help as much as I could.   

When I got my business up and going, charity was an important part of my business plan right from the start, even if I couldn’t give as much as I wanted in the beginning. In the Bible, it says to “use your gifts to serve one another” so I knew I had other ways to support them.   

Giving my time and efforts to others takes me away from myself (which is a good thing) and allows me to focus on blessing others. It’s also wonderful for learning, like discovering that pulling weeds and cleaning up a garden is very VERY tough work…and that organizing is truly my love language!  

When the opportunity to do a puzzle with Jiggy came along, which is a dream collaboration for me, it was important to me to give back through that personal blessing and GreenHouse17 was the perfect partner. I always want the ladies there to be empowered and have every chance to create a life for themselves from their own minds, hearts, and hands. GreenHouse17 is the perfect place for them to start.  

As for the puzzle, I thought a colorful pile of ribbons would be so fun to work as a jigsaw puzzle… and thankfully, the wonderful team at Jiggy agreed with me! I picked some of my favorite colors and patterns and styled them into a rainbow swirl of vibrancy that turned out beautifully!   

It’s packaged so elegantly and would make for a cute hostess or housewarming gift… and don’t forget the holidays. Puzzles are so fun to work with family and friends! If you don’t already know, working a puzzle is a relaxing and rewarding (nothing like finding “that” piece) hobby!   

 

**Jiggy x PK puzzles are sold out!

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map harrison nicholasBlog

Serving Harrison and Nicholas Counties

August 31, 2022By

Survivors deserve to be supported in their home community.

Although our emergency shelter is located in Lexington, staff of our organization live and work in all 17 counties of our service area – Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, and Woodford.   

Harrison & Nicholas Counties  

Anne Hodge is the advocate for survivors in Nicholas or Harrison Counties. Although each day is different, Anne dedicates much of her time to providing support for survivors before, during, and after family court hearings. 

What is a typical week for Anne?   
  • Anne provides legal advocacy during domestic violence court hearings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  
  • She also facilitates a weekly online support group about protective orders and legal basics, and connects survivors to other support groups offered by our organization. 
  • Another important activity is partnering with local organizations to make referrals for food, clothing, and other needs that survivors might experience. 

“People may need food or help with their electric bill or gas money. I refer them to agencies for financial assistance like Community Action or the Ministerial Association,” Anne explains. “Community partners are very valuable to our program and I keep in close contact with them.”

Legal Justice Matters  

Anne also coordinates the L-JUST project, a grant-funded legal justice effort to create an informed and supportive network of legal professionals across the central Kentucky region. One way Anne accomplishes this goal is through partnerships with attorneys who agree to provide no-fee services and representation for survivors navigating complex legal situations.

Get connected with an advocate in your county!

Call our 24/7 hotline at 800.544.2022

The L-JUST project is supported by subgrant number VAWA-2021-GreenHou-00029 subawarded by the state administering office for the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice’s STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the state or the U.S. Department of Justice. 

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Summer’s Harvest

July 25, 2022By

“Our strawberries taste a whole lot better than the ones that came from the store,” said a survivor living in shelter. “They’re sweeter and juicier.”

There’s nothing better than a home-cooked meal made with food grown with your own hands.

Many meals prepared in the shelter this time of year feature fresh produce from the farm. Lunch is often a big summer salad. Tacos and salsa made with vegetables from the farm are popular, too.

“I’m all about the farm-to-table connection,” shares Hattie Nunley, farm and family advocate. “I think even being able to just supplement onions in a meal is special.”

“The farm was amazing. Getting my hands in the dirt was one of the best experiences of my life,” says Michelle.

Carrots, kale, cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers were seeded in January and planted in April. Several hoop houses on the farm will extend the harvest season through late autumn.

“I was able to be involved in planting the peppers and tomatoes and a discussion of the future planting of okra and squash,” shares a survivor.

Too many in central Kentucky experience food insecurity. Healing the physical and emotional wounds of violence becomes more difficult without access to nutritious food.

Hattie is working to expand the farm’s production to provide survivors with fresh produce even after leaving the shelter. She collaborates closely with the shelter’s dining and nutrition advocate for menu planning.

They also co-facilitate a monthly support group about healthy relationships with food.

“My favorite thing so far has been harvesting strawberries,” says another survivor. “They were so sweet and delicious.”

Read the Summer 2022 Issue of Bloom 💜

This is one article from our print newsletter. Follow the link above to read the full issue!

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Moments of Magic

July 18, 2022By

Lyndsay Deaver knows the healing love that only a horse can give.

In 2008, while a student of Midway University’s equine therapy program, she completed her practicum internship at the emergency shelter.

Lyndsay suggested that boarding her horse, JB, on the property, could be meaningful for survivors.

“People really identify with the horses. That’s their magic,” explains Lyndsay. “Horses are the perfect type of mirror. They reflect back to you what you’re experiencing.”

JB still lives on the property today. Saucy and Solo, both horses of Lyndsay’s family members, have joined her.

If a resident or staff person stops along the fence line, it doesn’t take long until one of the horses ambles over to say hello. They often wait near the gate to welcome kids back from school.

“It’s really rewarding to see how many women and kids have enjoyed just spending time with the horses,” Lyndsay adds.

Read the Summer 2022 Issue of Bloom 💜

This is one article from our print newsletter. Follow the link above to read the full issue!

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flower csaBlog

Flower CSA Pickup Partner Appreciation 💐

June 27, 2022By

The Summer Flower CSA launched this month! We’re so thankful for the members whose purchase of fresh-cut flowers from our farm supports survivors.  

We’re also very thankful for our amazing community partners. They share their space each week from June to September for Flower CSA member pickup!  

Third Street Stuff

Visit them for the atmosphere, coffee, locally baked goods, and lots of fun ‘stuff’ to buy. They also carry our Handmade by Survivors products around the holidays! 

Good Foods Co-op 

Good Foods Co-op is a locally owned and operated cooperative grocery and café with 9,000+ owners! They focus on local, natural, organic, and non-GMO products.  

Grassroots Pharmacy 

Grassroots Pharmacy is a new pickup location this year! It’s a locally owned, independent pharmacy that opened in March 2017. They also sell local and sustainable products and have a smoothie bar!  

Origin Hotel 

The lovely Origin Hotel is located at The Summit at Fritz Farm. 33 Staves restaurant is in the hotel and serves seasonally crafted menus for breakfast, brunch, and dinner! 

Smithtown Seafood 

Smithtown Seafood serves fresh, sustainably caught seafood, creative salads, burgers, and more! It’s located in the Bread Box and connected to West Sixth Brewery.   

Our Summer Flower CSA sells out fast!

Sign up to be notified when registration opens next year 💌

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LGBTQIA+ Services ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

June 9, 2022By

53 years ago, the Pride Movement began with the Stonewall Riots and protests against police brutality and LGBTQIA+ oppression. 

Our mission is to end intimate partner abuse because everyone deserves love and a life free from violence! We are committed to providing inclusive and informed services.  

Many on our staff are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Christy, our Outreach Advocate for Fayette and Bourbon counties, identifies as a survivor herself. She escaped a physical, sexual, and psychological abuser 9 years ago.   

Additional Barriers  

Christy says, “I was too afraid to call the police because, sadly, both partners in a same-sex relationship are often arrested during domestic violence situations. The LGBTQ+ community is often met with victimizing legal services; thus, there is a hesitancy to use them.”  

LGBTQIA+ survivors experience additional barriers to getting the help needed to leave an abusive relationship. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, barriers they may face include:   

  • societal beliefs that domestic violence doesn’t occur in LGBTQIA+ relationships  
  • potential homophobia and/or transphobia from staff of service providers  
  • lack of appropriate training regarding LGBTQIA+ domestic violence for service providers  
  • a fear that airing problems fuels anti-LGBTQIA+ bias  
  • the dangers associated with ‘outing’ oneself (risking rejection from family, friends, and society)    
Support Group  

Christy facilitates a weekly LGBTQIA+ support group for survivors to help others find healing and hope. Request information here.  

Other Community Resources  

The Lexington Pride Center’s mission is to celebrate and empower the intersectional lives of LGBTQIA+ Kentuckians. The Pride Center is a community space to connect and find support and resources. They also put on lots of events and host the Lexington Pride Festival!   

Call our Certified Domestic Violence Advocates anytime ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

800.544.2022

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Green Dot

April 12, 2022By

Small actions for a safer city

What is Green Dot?  

First, imagine a map of your city. Red dots are the issues. They’re incidences of things like intimate partner abuse, sexual violence, and elder abuse. Green Dots on the map represent acts of responding to the red dots.  

map with red and green dots

Green Dot works to educate, empower, and unite community members in the collective mission of cultivating a safer city through bystander intervention. It’s a nationally recognized violence prevention strategy focused on preventing power-based personal violence – sexual violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder abuse, bullying, and stalking. 

Green Dot teaches community members how to intervene and cover those red dots with green ones.  

Training 

You can learn to be an active bystander through an online, interactive training led by Dawn Runyon, Green Dot Education Program Specialist at LFUCG.  

This training will teach you how to intervene by using the 3 D’s.  

  • Direct – Being direct with the person doing harm or person being harmed. Asking “are you ok?” or saying “that’s not appropriate.” 
  • Distract – Divert attention away. Start a random conversation, spill a drink, or start your car alarm. 
  • Delegate – Seek assistance from someone else to help. Tell a bartender, a teacher, or start recording a video.  

The community training provides example situations and participants brainstorm on how to Direct, Distract, or Delegate.  

The next training is on Tuesday, April 19th from 3pm to 5pm. To sign up, see the pinned post on their Facebook page.  

Show Your Support

How else can you support your community and show you do not tolerate harmful acts?  

  • Wear branded gear in public to show support. You get a free t-shirt for finishing active bystander training!  
  • Share information on social media and use the hashtags #beanactivebystander #knowhow2act #greendotlex. You can find Green Dot on Facebook here and Instagram here.  

Read more!

Exciting news for Green Dot and the community!

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sexual assault awareness and prevention monthBlog

Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month

April 12, 2022By

Between 14% and 25% of women are sexually assaulted by intimate partners during their relationship.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Many abusers who are physically violent are also sexually abusive. 

Here are 7 statistics about the intersection of intimate partner abuse and sexual abuse from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

7 Statistics About Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse

  1. Intimate partner sexual assault and rape are used to intimidate, control and demean victims and survivors of domestic violence. 
  2. Intimate partner sexual assault is more likely than stranger or acquaintance assault to cause physical injury.
  3. Between 14% and 25% of women are sexually assaulted by intimate partners during their relationship.
  4. Between 40% and 45% of women in abusive relationships will also be sexually assaulted during the course of the relationship. 
  5. Over half of women raped by an intimate partner were sexually assaulted multiple times by the same partner. 
  6. Women who are sexually abused by intimate partners report more risk factors for intimate partner homicides than non-sexually abused women.
  7. Women who are sexually abused by intimate partners suffer severe and long-lasting physical and mental health problems, similar to those of other rape victims. They have higher rates of depression and anxiety than women who were either raped by a non-intimate partner or physically but not sexually abused by an intimate partner. 

Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass

Our friends at Ampersand will be sharing information and hosting events this month for Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month.

Ampersand’s focus is to support folks who have been impacted by violence and to engage the community in changing rape culture. We serve the same 17 counties – Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, and Woodford. 

#SAAPM

Get more information on Ampersand's website

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teen dating violenceBlog

Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month

February 21, 2022By

1 in 3 teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and the theme is
“Talk About It” 

Parents, talk about it with your teenagers. Having a conversation about teen dating violence might feel uncomfortable at first, but this is a conversation that matters.  

Quiz

Suggest this quiz from love is respect for a relationship checkup. Discuss these warning signs from a partner.  

Suggested Reading

Does your teenager love to read? Read the book Dreamland by Sarah Dessen together and talk about it.  

Parent Discussion Guide

love is respect also has a great Parent Discussion Guide to talk to your kid about healthy relationships. 

Make sure they know dating abuse is not just physical. Dating abuse is a pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner. Read about the different types of abuse. 

Share this Number

Share this number – 22522 – and let them know they can text “loveis” to check in with a peer advocate about their relationship. 

We are here for you 24/7.

Call our hotline at 800-544-2022 to speak with a trained advocate.

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