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4th Annual Vagabond Varieté Benefit
Friday, June 3
8 pm doors / 9 pm performances
$15 entry with portion donated to GreenHouse17
Cosmic Charlie’s
388 Woodland Avenue
Lexington, Kentucky 40508
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/196512174031933/

The Woodsheep w/ Special Guest Sam Pollock
Friday, June 3
7 pm
$10 Suggested donation to GreenHouse17
The Listening Room
180 E Maxwell Street
Lexington, Kentucky 40508
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1261265387235360/

Songwriters in the Round
Monday, June 6
7 – 9 pm
Donation collection for GreenHouse17
Twisted Cork
3344 Partner Place
Lexington, KY 40503

Kentucky Cork, Tap and Barrel
Friday, June 10
4:30 – 9 pm
No entry charge / Tips donated to GreenHouse17
Hosted by Downtown Lexington Corporation
Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
Lexington, Kentucky
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/239129646466055/

Garden Party featuring music by Nicholas Penn
*RESCHEDULED BECAUSE OF RAIN* Now happening on Sunday, June 12
11 am – 5 pm
$20 includes lunch & donation to GreenHouse17
High on Coffee and Art
523 E High Street
Lexington, Kentucky 40502
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/615429945281138/

[sgmb id=”1″]Tabitha Dial, of North Star Muse, is using her gift in tarot card and tea leaf reading to support central Kentucky’s survivors of intimate partner violence. So many community partners join in our mission to nurture those harmed by abuse, but we have not ever had a tarot card reader!

In chatting with Tabitha about her desire to donate a portion of her proceeds for the months of March and April she said that “I felt connected to your mission because I have known a few women who have revealed their stories of domestic partner abuse to me, and I know there are many, many unheard stories that remain, among women who I have personally known. Because partner abuse can happen to anyone at any stage in life or to anyone from any background, it is my hope that raising funds and awareness will make some impact.”

Tabitha will be donating 10% of all readings purchased at Third Street Stuff on Wednesdays from 4 – 7 p.m. and on NorthStarMuse.com, from March 1^st until April 28^th to support our mission.

“I’m somewhat new to Kentucky, and I decided that I wanted to become more involved in my community. GreenHouse17 immediately came to mind, after I had met someone who had flowers waiting outside of Third Street Stuff as part of a continual fundraiser. I loved that spirit, and will always remember that day.”

The ability to see a bright future is difficult when leaving intimate partner abuse, and helping others interpret their futures is such a wonderful way to give back to those harmed. We just love the connection!

Try some thing new and schedule a reading from Tabitha!

[Photo courtesy of northstarmuse.com]

[sgmb id=”1″]NO MORE, the public awareness campaign designed to engage bystanders in ending domestic violence and sexual assault, will launch this 30 second television commercial in the third quarter of this year’s big game:

The National Football League donated airtime and production costs for the spot. In a blog post on NoMore.org, Virginia Witt, Director, is quoted as saying, “This PSA captures how most young people – and many others – use texting to communicate and how sometimes saying a little says a lot…” 

You can read more about the commercial’s inspiration and production at NoMore.org.

From October 1-17, we will be sharing ways you can take a stand against intimate partner abuse.

On October 1, we will launch the 17 Days / 17 Ways campaign to Take a Stand Against Intimate Partner Abuse.  The awareness campaign is part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, recognized annually in October.

Each day we will share one way to take a stand.  Some of the ways to help will be easy and others will be more difficult. In small and big ways, your actions demonstrate intolerance for violence and support survivors. When we take a stand against intimate partner abuse today, we support survivors and create a community intolerant of violence for generations to come.

Look to our Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram pics, Pinterest pins, and our blog to follow the campaign. And please share the information with friends, family, and followers!

The first way to help end intimate partner abuse during Domestic Violence Awareness Month is easy. Change your profile pics to show you stand against intimate partner abuse.

You’ll find eight different profile pic options  in the slideshow below this post. We’ve created a pink version of each option because October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can raise awareness for both issues at the same time.

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The process to change your profile pic is a little different on every social media site. Here’s how you do it on Facebook:

• Right-click (PC), CTRL-click (MAC), or long-tap (mobile and tablets) on the pic you want to use.
• Save the image to  your computer or device.
• Go to your profile and hover over your profile picture.
• Click the Update Profile Picture option and select upload a photo.
• Browse the files on your computer or device to find the saved pic.

Remember to update your status so your friends know why you changed your pic. Here are some ideas:

• I changed my profile pic for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I stand against intimate partner abuse. #Takeastand #endDV #17Ways
• I changed my profile pic for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I stand with survivors of intimate partner violence. #Takeastand #endDV #17Ways #SupportSurvivors
• For the next month my profile will be purple and pink to show my support for survivors of breast cancer and domestic violence. #SupportSurvivors #Takeastand #endDV #17Ways
• Just changed my profile pic because I am committed to ending intimate partner abuse in our communities! #Takeastand #endDV #17Ways
• I stand with survivors of intimate partner violence. #Takeastand #endDV #17Ways

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign to take a stand against intimate partner abuse.

Isolation is one of the most common tactics used by abusers to maintain power and control. Although some survivors have a strong support system, many are navigating their journeys toward safety and healing alone.

“My friends supported me for the first months, but then they just didn’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“We moved more than a hundred miles away from my friends and family the day after our wedding.”

“I had to leave behind friends I’d known since childhood just to stay alive.”

When you attend community events that support survivors, your presence sends a strong message to survivors. Your participation reminds survivors they’re not alone. And that our community cares about their well-being.

Our Autumn U-Pick Day on the farm this Saturday, October 3 is a fun and affordable event that supports survivors. Come on out to the farm between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to pick beautiful flowers from our farm. Only $10 for a bucket of local flowers grown by strong survivors.

“This many people in my community support me?!”

“I looked around and realized no one in this room judges me.”

“It made me feel good to know that so many cared for my well-being, even if I don’t know them personally.”

We’ll be picking this Saturday, rain or shine, so long as the weather is safe. Bring your bucket and clippers, if you got ‘em. If not, we’ll have some for you to use. This is a rain or shine, family-friendly event. Let’s fill the farm with love and support to remind survivors they’re not alone in our community. Send us a note if you need driving directions to the farm.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign to take a stand against intimate partner abuse.

We’ve probably all heard friends and family say things like these before. Maybe you’ve even said one of the statements:

“She went back, so now it’s on her.”

“I wonder what he did to provoke it?”

“She knew he had a short fuse when they got married.”

Speak out when you hear someone using victim-blaming language. Chances are they don’t know they’re doing it. You can say something like “Did you know the words we choose sometimes blame victims?” Then let explain how.

Talking about the power and control associated with intimate partner abuse is a good place to start.Your discussion might address how the physical, emotional, and financial violence make it very difficult for someone to leave. Remind others that threats of retaliation can be scary, and sometimes survivors return to a life shared with their abusers to stay alive.

Re-framing common questions is another effective way to address victim-blaming. Instead of asking “Why do they stay?” consider asking questions like, “I wonder what barriers they face to leaving?” or “Let’s talk about why the abuser isn’t being held accountable.”

Start a conversation about word choice. Help someone understand how language affects perspective, and how the wrong language can be dangerous.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports more than 40% of victims stayed with their abusers because of concerns for the safety of animal companions. And more than two-thirds of survivors with animal companions say their abusers harmed family pets for revenge or emotional control.

With the support of RedRover, a national organization committed to helping animals in crisis, we offer kennels on the property that surrounds  our emergency shelter. The kennels are based in the SAF-T™  model, a global initiative that encourages domestic violence shelters to Shelter Animals and Families Together.

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The Lexington Humane Society helped us develop the program, and they provide free examinations and vaccinations for every animal that lives with us. Our friends at the Chevy Chase Animal Hospital provide medical care for animals with injuries from abuse. Each kennel includes an access door to a fenced run area under beautiful shade trees. When weather conditions are too hot or cold for pets to safely reside in the kennels, we turn to a circle of animal foster families to care for family pets while their humans find safety at the shelter.

You can learn more about the connection between animal and human abuse at the SAF-T website. And check out the Spot Abuse Project that encourages the reporting of suspected animal abuse to protect victims of domestic violence. The campaign is based on research from the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys that found 76% of animal abusers also abuse a member of their family.

Please share this information with your friends and family, and send us a note if you’re interested in making a donation of food, bedding, or other animal care supplies for the kennels. Together we can protect family pets, too.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign to take a stand against intimate partner abuse.

Today’s way to take a stand against intimate partner abuse is important and difficult. Reaching out to someone who you think is being abused by an intimate partner can be scary.

What if I’m wrong?

What if my friend is offended by me asking?

What if I make things worse?

Although all of these are possibilities, it’s more likely your friend will appreciate knowing you care enough to check in. The National Domestic Violence Hotline recommends these steps to help someone you know:

• Acknowledge your friend is in a difficult and scary situation. Say these words as many times as possible: “It’s not your fault.”
• Listen to your friend. It may be difficult for your friend to talk about the abuse. What s/he needs most is someone who will believe and listen. Practice saying these words: “I believe you.”
• Be non-judgmental. Avoid victim-blaming language and remember that intimate partner abuse doesn’t always happen like it’s portrayed in the movies.
• Support your friend’s decision to stay or flee. There are many reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships. They may leave and return to the abuser several times.  They will need your support even more during those times.
• Encourage your friend to talk to people who can help. Reassure them that they are not alone and that there is help and support out there. Have the number of our crisis hotline memorized or written down for your friend: 800-544-2022. Our crisis counselors are available 24-hours a day, every day of the year to safety plan and provide resources.

Your friend must decide the best course of action. So much of their power and control already has been taken by the abuser.  Remember that your role is to empower and support and resources, not to rescue them.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign to take a stand against intimate partner abuse.