Author Archives: GreenHouse17 Staff

Throw a party for GreenHouse17.

It’ll increase your happiness.

Are you feeling skeptical?

Will this really increase my own personal happiness?

Don’t believe me? Watch this video and believe the science. Trust him. He’s in a lab coat.

It’ll be easy.

Just invite a few of your friends over to your house to watch a game, catch up on your favorite television show, or just share some food and conversation–and ask them to bring one item from our wish list. Our wish list is updated regularly on our website.

Right now, our shelter needs these items:

• kids toys for all ages
• 
twin-size “bed-in-bags”
• alarm clocks
• 
book lights
• small bedside lamps
• winter hats, gloves, and scarves
• 
pillows
• towels
• 
dish soap
• laundry detergent

Our farm program could really use some garden gloves, 
mason jars with lids,
 canning equipment, 
landscape fabric
, and a post puller.

Don’t have the space or time to host a party?

Then, come to our party! This November we’re presenting Lunafest, a film festival by, for, and about women. It’s a great night out with friends, family, and co-workers. Get all the details and purchase your tickets here.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, repin us on Pinterest, and share our photos on Flickr.

Stay connected with national and local news about domestic violence.

See pictures of the goings-on at our shelter.

Be the first to learn about new products from our farm.

Be informed about the urgent needs of our organization.

Most importantly BE AWESOME.

And share this page with a friend.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Our farm at GreenHouse17 was established three years ago, and has flourished rapidly ever since.

Two hoop houses make it possible for us to grow vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers for much of the year. Our Kentucky native flowers make beautiful arrangements for any occasion, no matter how big or small. You can take home a vase of flowers for loved ones or order flowers for a wedding or event.

This is an excellent way to support GreenHouse17 and participants in our farm stipend program. Participants receive training in practical job skills, are written a reference letter for when they transition out of the shelter, and experience a therapeutic environment through working with the garden.

Every product you purchase from our farm takes someone another step on the road to safety and self-sufficiency. And shows them that the community truly cares. Call us at 859.233.0657 or contact us from our website for more information.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Dealing with domestic violence within the church can be challenging.

Often, a couple attends the same church so we lean toward the power of prayer. We pray to keep the victims safe and to put peace in the abuser’s heart so that the violence will stop. Because of the inherent complexity, members of the church often avoid direct confrontation of the issue.

Many, many victims are strong in their faith. Because they are looking to their faith for strength and answers, the role of the church becomes so important. Victims need to hear from the pulpit that domestic violence is wrong, that they are not to blame, that it is a choice to use abusive behaviors to control others. They need to hear that they are believed and that the church or synagogue will take action steps to provide safety and support for those suffering.

Ask if your place of worship has protocols in place to guide a response when domestic violence happens in your faith family.  These guidelines should define responses for all involved — the minister, congregation, church leaders, and those dealing with the violence. We can help you develop these policies. Together, we can create safety and support that makes our community a healthy place to raise our families.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

We love our volunteers! Got an extra hour a month? A couple of open weekends? A morning every week? Please, talk to us about becoming a volunteer. You’ll be happier you did. But more on that a little later.

First, let’s look at this by the numbers.

It takes an amazing amount of person-power to operate a 24-hour agency that never closes. That’s 8,760 hours a year! Last year, we sheltered nearly 300 adults and children, answered almost 5,000 calls to our crisis hotline, and helped more than 5,000 individuals and families.

Our staff is mighty but with fewer than 25 employees (this includes our full- and part-timers and interns), we rely on generous volunteers to  donate their time and talents. Here’s a sampling of some of the individual volunteers needs we have right now:

• Childcare
• Answering the telephones
• Advocate assistance
• Data entry
• Donation coordination
• Transportation assistance
• Donation delivery and pickup
• Representing GreenHouse17 at fairs and other community events
• Legal/Legislative outreach
• Building maintenance

We also have a long list of  projects that are perfect for families and groups of friends, co-workers, or community organizations:

• Fence painting and repairs
• Seasonal help on the farm
• Collecting and delivering holiday gifts
• Sorting and organizing nonperishable groceries
• Minor repairs on the property
• Landscaping/yard work

Your donation of time and talent will help survivors of intimate partner abuse grow strong knowing so many in the community care, but we promise it’ll benefit you, too.

Studies find that people who volunteer are happier than those who don’t. In fact, a report published by Harvard Health Publications found that an adult who volunteers for at least an hour a month is 7% happier than an adult who doesn’t. This article from Helpguide.org lists dozens of other benefits from volunteering.

If you or a group of your friends, family, or co-workers can spare some time to help our mission, please complete our volunteer application and contact Diane at 859-233-0657 to discuss your interest.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

A domestic violence awareness organization in Johannesburg created this powerful public service announcement. It’s an experiment.

(Video courtesy of POWA via Youtube.)

Loud drumming prompts the ire of neighbors and even resulted in a lecture about respect. Loud noise associated with intimate partner abuse is ignored. One might assume the lack of response from neighbors could be related to the dangers associated with the violence — and this is very valid. It is dangerous to intervene in a physical altercation.

But neighbors can take steps to help if they hear or witness intimate partner abuse in the neighborhood. Dialing 911 should always be the first response. Setting off a car or property alarm could distract the abuser until law enforcement arrives.

But the best response is a proactive one.

If your neighborhood has a watch group, please urge them to add domestic violence to the list of crimes. Call us to educate watchers about the signs of intimate partner violence and help them develop plans to safely respond. Then, publicize your neighborhood’s commitment to holding abusers accountable and supporting survivors.

Your actions will help create a safer neighborhood for everyone.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that “one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.” This means that you know probably know someone who has been abused by an intimate partner.

Domestic violence is usually thought of as physical and sexual abuse, and though these are commonly seen in domestic violence situation, domestic violence may not be as obvious as you think. It may take the form of threats and coercion, emotional abuse, isolation, economic abuse, and intimidation.

Please don’t dismiss signs of violence and abuse because you think it is a private matter and you should not get involved.

Reach out to someone if you suspect she or he is being abused. Ask a few simple questions. Listen.  Believe and support. Encourage them to seek help by calling our toll free crisis hotline number: 800-544-2022.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

If you hear someone using abusive or controlling language, say “I don’t appreciate that,” and explain why it is unacceptable.

Intent is everything. We have so many teachable moments in our everyday lives that we don’t seize.  When watching a movie with a friend, or a football game, even nighttime television, if you hear a comment that is disrespectful or degrading to women and girls, speak out.

Degrading comments, which can lead to violence against women and girls, can be stopped. Open a dialogue, let someone see how language affects perspective, and how the wrong language can be dangerous. Remind your friends and family that positive language can change things for the better.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Would you call 911 if you saw a drunk driver strike a pedestrian? What about if you saw or heard intimate partner abuse? Many times people tell themselves, “It isn’t my business,” or “I don’t want to get involved.” Maybe it’s because intimate partner abuse is considered by many to be a private, family matter.

Here at GreenHouse17, we believe intimate partner violence is a community issue. This means we must all get involved. It isn’t necessary to physically intervene. In fact, this could be dangerous. The best thing we can do as a community is to learn the signs of intimate partner violence and dial 911 when we see or hear it happening.

It’s simple: don’t put yourself in danger by physically stepping into the situation but make the effort to call the police. You might save a life.

This post is part of our 17 Days/17 Ways campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.