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[sgmb id=”1″]Why do we farm the land that surrounds our emergency shelter? This collection of Field Notes written by survivors of intimate partner abuse who are participating in our farm stipend program explains:

My first week working in the garden was hard for me on the first day, but today it was better and I realized it was relaxing in a way. Learning about different flowers is more interesting than I thought it would be, and being out there reminds me of being a kid on my grandparent’s farm. That was one of the best times of my childhood, being out there with my sister exploring and spending our days at the creek catching frogs and turtles. It was all before things in my life became complicated. So being out there brings back good memories which make it very relaxing and peaceful to me, and I’m really starting to enjoy myself. Making new friend and getting outside my comfort zone. It was a good experience all around and I look forward to returning. ~J.K.

I enjoy working in the garden; it’s a healing feeling and a learning experience. I like the people I work with, they are great. The flowers are pretty as light and the vegetables are very bright. It takes bad memories out of my mind and leaves all negative things behind the breeze. I know that I’m helping for a good reason that makes me feel better as well. ~M.S

“It takes bad memories out of my mind and leaves all negative things behind the breeze.”

Yesterday I tried something I have never done before, which was working on the farm. At first, I was nervous because it was something totally new. Everybody else had experience being on a farm. I felt like an outcast at first. The first day I worked for 3 hours and I had learned how to pick different flowers, for bouquets for wedding and other events… Well today, which is Tuesday, I learned how to pick vegetables, which were cucumbers and green beans. I also learned that there are purple green beans, and when you cook them they turn green. I also learned that items  we use and throw away are used as compost for the plants. The best part about today was weeding. Pulling up all the weeds that weren’t needed. It helped me get out some anger. I learned over all don’t knock a new experience until you try it. ~J.G

My experience on the farm was better than I thought it would be. I really learned a lot. Christina and Jessica were very welcoming. It reminded me a lot of the time I spent with my Grandma as a child in her garden. Its hard work and I feel it in my back, but honestly, I have enjoyed my time up on the farm and I look forward to coming back. ~K.S

Learn more about our integration of farm-based programming with traditional services for survivors at this link.

Survivors provided permission for these Field Notes to be shared.

[sgmb id=”1″]Get some friends and family together for a day of flower picking fun!

U-Pick Day on the Farm
Saturday, August 20
10 am – 1 pm

More than a dozen varieties of flowers available. Only $10 for a medium bucket provided at the event, or $20 if you prefer to bring your own larger “home improvement” bucket.

We’ll have clippers for you. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can get dirty.

All ages, family-friendly, rain or shine.

Cash, check,and credit accepted at the event. Every bucket picked nurtures lives harmed by intimate partner abuse.

Members of our Weekly Flower CSA and their friends receive a 25% discount.

Learn more and get driving directions to our farm at the event page on Facebook.

[sgmb id=”1″]We are so excited to partner with Housewarmings in Lexington for this year’s EGGFest, a popular local fundraising event that celebrates the Big Green Egg, a popular American-designed ceramic cooker based on the ancient clay cooking device called a kamado.

EGGfest
Saturday, August 27
11 am to 6 pm
Housewarmings (map it)
Lexington, KY 

The event will feature celebrity chefs demonstrating their grilling, smoking, and cooking prowess using the Big Green Egg, as well as live music, raffles, bouncy play structures, and face painting. And drawings for prizes will happen throughout the day, including the chance to win a Big Green Egg!

Admission is free and open to public.

Food tasting tickets in bundles of 12 can be purchased in advance for $10 (and includes opportunities for prize drawings) or for $1 each at the event.

“The food is phenomenal, seeing the variety of food you can cook on the Big Green Egg is incredible,” says Chef Shannen Bunton, Chief EGGfest organizer. “Meeting the many ‘EGGHeads’ who love it is fun, and it’s a great way to give back to the community.”

Several local restaurants are participating in the day’s grilling competitions! Entries so far include Bella Notte, Lyles BBQ, Wild Thyme, Athenian Grill, City BBQ, Mr. Kebab, Papa Murphy’s, Han Cook In and More!

Fare prepared during the day will include pulled pork, fallin’-off-the-bone ribs, spicy sausages, juicy beef brisket, crispy pizza, seafood paella, beer-brined chicken drumsticks, summer berry cobbler, blue cheese sliders, bourbon baked beans and most any other food that you can imagine grilled on the Big Green Egg.

Proceeds raised during the event will benefit our mission and services to nurture lives harmed by intimate partner abuse. And we’ll also be selling our Handmade By Survivors products during the event!

Learn more about this year’s EGGfest and purchase your tasting tickets in advance at this link.

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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.