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We enjoyed two beautiful day at this year’s CRAVE LEXINGTON! And each and every car in this photo represents a donation to our mission to end intimate partner abuse. We are so very thankful for all the volunteers who helped with parking at the big event:

• The kind and dedicated friends and family of Helue Shalash…
• The amazing staff at BaK 4 More Studio​…
• Our Board of Directors and staff and their friends and family…
• Supporters and survivors and their friends and family…

Thank you, too, to the event-goers who paid $5.00 to park and support survivors  in central Kentucky.

Crave Lexington is a festival that echoes our mission in many ways. We believe in the power of good food and good music to nurture lives, and local solutions are the foundation of our approach to the mission to end intimate partner abuse. Right now, 33 adults and children are living at our emergency shelter. We could not provide 24-hour crisis intervention services for survivors without the support of this generous community.

We are so very grateful for the support of the event organizers, volunteers, and participants. Thank you!

Gather up some family and friends and drive on out to our farm for a day of flower picking fun:

Saturday, August 1
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$10 a bucket

More than a dozen varieties of flowers available! Cash, check, and credit accepted. Remember to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. This is a rain or shine family-friendly event. Every bucket picked helps survivors on the journey of healing.

Send us a note if you you need driving directions to the farm, and we’ll e-mail them to you.

We invite you to attend this On the Verge special charitable performance of Legacy of Light to benefit survivors of intimate partner abuse:

Wednesday, July 15
7 p.m. Showtime
Arts Place – Lex Arts
161 North Mill Street Lexington
Get Directions

This delightful play tells the stories of two women apparently separated by centuries who are gradually revealed to be connected in surprising ways. Presented by On the Verge. Directed by Ave Lawyer. With Zach Dearing, Tim Hull, Robbie Morgan, Tom Phillips, Rachel Lee Rogers and Shelby Vogelpohl.

Tickets are available for a $20 donation each. Seating is very limited. Please complete the form below to reserve your tickets today. We’ll have them for you at the will-call table on the night of the event.

Healing.

It comes in as many forms as the harm that brought its need. Yes, it takes time. Safety. Counseling. Space. Nurturing. Not just covering wounds but allowing them to slowly mend and then become strong again.

We explore all ways that we can help survivors of intimate partner abuse to find their own path to healing. Offering art and creative art is one. These beautiful pieces hang in the shelter’s hallways. Created by survivors.

As THEIR own way to heal.

A walk through our halls is truly an inspiration. I always try to take a moment each day to be grateful for the safety and space and time we provide for survivors….and for the healing journey they discover for themselves.

I invite you to experience this inspiration firsthand during our upcoming Open House event on Thursday, July 9 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.    

Just follow this link to send a quick note to let us know you’d like to attend. I will follow up with you soon to confirm and share driving directions.

We love community events.  One reason, of course, is raising funds to support survivors. Another reason…we get to share information about our mission and shelter and our trauma-informed approached to survivor advocacy. That’s why we’re so excited about Lexi-Fest TWO!

Lexi-Fest TWO
Sunday, May 31
1-3 p.m.
Natasha’s Bistro & Bar
112 Esplanade, Lexington

Mighty Max Corona of Classic Rock 921 WBVX will emcee the afternoon concert with this amazing line-up of local musicians:

• Ben Lacy & Corey Cross
• Caroline Copley
• Osland/Daily Duo (with Miles Osland and Raleigh Dailey)
• Mino Slick
• Carla Gover
• Mandy Ray

We count on events like this cool one being put on by David M. McLean with Skinny Devil Music Lab and LEXIawards with the support of local musicians to gather folks for a fun afternoon of information sharing, fundraising, and…in this case….some really great music! Come on out to enjoy incredible musical talents from the region, while supporting those harmed by intimate partner violence.

By Darlene Thomas
Executive Director

For seven years advocates across the Commonwealth of Kentucky have sought protections for victims of dating violence.

Late last night — just before midnight — House Bill 8 made its way to the Senate floor, where it passed with only one dissenting vote. About thirty minutes later, the House concurred with the Senate changes with a 100-0 vote! And Governor Steve Beshear tweeted that he looks forward to signing the legislation into law.

Thank you Governor and First Lady Beshear, Representative John Tilley, and Senator Whitney Westerfield for championing this critical legislation. Thank you to every legislator who leads with support of victims and survivors. And thank you to every advocate who never lost their voice.

Dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking victims were heard last night. Soon protections under the civil protective order system will be provided. Lives will be protected and saved!

Another snow day. In March?!

Snow days promise so much in the beginning. We get a little extra time to enjoy that cup of coffee while ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the beauty of nature outside the window. Oh how this moment is fleeting! By noontime it’s but a distant memory. Snow days come with a long to-do list: canceling meetings, shoveling the driveway, clearing the sidewalks, checking on family and neighbors, finding the kids’ gloves and boots…

And all this and more is happening for 36 adults and children finding safety at our emergency shelter today.

With a little help from amazing supporters in the community, our advocates and counselors have pulled together to nurture lives harmed by intimate partner abuse during the winter storm. We’re here 24-hours a day. Every day of the year. Even when there’s 15 inches of snow on the ground!

Answering calls to the crisis hotline.

Helping moms find those missing gloves and boots.

Mopping up melted snow that’s been tracked inside.

Making another pot of coffee and whipping up some hot chocolate for the kids.

Pulling out the coloring books and crayons and puzzles.

Picking up the toys (again.)

Appreciating the moments of quiet play inside and supervising the rambunctious play outside.

Helping little ones roll little mounds of snow around the yard.

Showing the littlest ones how to make their first snow angels.

Watching Frozen (again.)

Making snacks and lunches.

Chopping vegetables for a big pot of hot soup for dinner.

And we are loving every moment because the families at our shelter are laughing and smiling during such a difficult time. Healing is happening at our shelter in the middle of this beautiful winter wonderland in Kentucky. That’s worth mopping up the melted snow in the entryway a hundred times today. Do you want to build a snowman?

We are proud to partner with the Lexington Film League in this call for submissions of short films by, for, and about women in central Kentucky! A local committee will select one short film from submissions received to be screened during LUNAFEST LEXINGTON on Thursday, May 7 at the Kentucky Theatre. Proceeds from LUNAFEST LEXINGTON benefit survivors of intimate partner violence and breast cancer.

Deadline for Submissions: 
Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m.

Criteria: 
Submission is open to Kentucky filmmakers.  Submissions must not exceed 10 minute running time. Submissions must be by, for, or about women. Priority selection will be given to films made in or featuring central Kentucky.

Guidelines:

• You must own, or have permission to use, the rights to the any imagery and audio.
• You may submit multiple films for consideration.
• Each submission must include a Submission Form. See below.
• There is no submission fee.

LUNAFEST LEXINGTON is part of a national traveling film festival of award-winning short films by, for and about women. LUNAFEST is organized by LUNA, the makers of the nutrition bar for women. Submission of your short film for screening consideration is related only to our local LUNAFEST LEXINGTON event and is not affiliated with the national traveling festival of films.

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