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Volunteer Match reports that workplace volunteer programs benefit employees and companies.

For the employee, volunteering increases job satisfaction and encourages teamwork. For the company, volunteering improves employee productivity and loyalty while building brand affinity in the community. The Society for Human Resource Management notes a UnitedHealthcare Survey released in April 2010 that reports 21% of employees stated that they would not be a volunteer if it weren’t for their employer’s encouragement.

What we know here at GreenHouse17 is that company volunteer groups really matter. In one day, a workplace volunteer group can accomplish important tasks that might take our small and very stretched staff weeks to complete.  This allows our counselors and advocates more time to help survivors rebuild their lives after violence.

Domestic violence permeates all communities and neighborhoods. Many turn a blind eye to domestic violence because they think it is someone’s personal matter that needs to be resolved within their home.

Many perceive that to interfere would be prying into a private situation, but it is everyone’s responsibility to be aware of domestic violence and to do what they can to make a difference. Bringing awareness to domestic violence saves the lives of women who are in need of shelter or someone to help them make a safety plan.

Writing a letter to the editor of your local paper is a great way to start a conversation and build awareness.

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth has prepared this useful resource to help you write your letter and distribute it to publications around the state. They recommend keeping the letter short (less than 250 words), supporting your letter with key facts (consider statistics from the 2010 CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey); describing why you care about the issue; and calling the community to action. Several ways to help have been discussed in our 17 Days/17 Ways feature.

Let us know if your letter is published. We’d like to feature it here and on our social media pages!

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

I think as adults we can all learn some things from Kid President. It can be very easy to point blame at others around us when we are considering what needs to change  to prevent violence. Taking a hard look at our own behavior might bring to light some lessons we are teaching others around us that we wish we weren’t passing along.

Kid President was right when he said, “No matter who you are, somebody’s learning from you. Everybody’s a teacher and everybody’s a student.” So, let’s get LOUD about creating a violence-free world!

First, look in the mirror. Sounds weird, but it’s easier to be honest with yourself when you’re looking into your own eyes. Next, ask yourself these three questions:

• Is my language free of bias and violence, even with close friends and family?
• Am I more interested in being right or finding shared solutions to challenges?
• Do I actively listen to find compromise during conflicts at work, home, and play?

Leave a comment sharing what it is that you want to teach the world about nonviolent behavior.  How will you let other know about your commitment?

And, “keep learning, people!”

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

You have the power to help lonely bills that matter become law. If you’ve never advocated for legislative action, no worries. It’s an easy thing to do and only takes a few minutes. Here are some steps you can take to let your representatives know that you support protections for survivors of domestic violence.

First, like us on Facebook to stay up to date on legislation that needs your help. For example, in the coming months we’ll be trying again for a Kentucky law to protect victims of dating violence. Darlene Thomas, our Executive Director, recently talked about the need and efforts toward the law in this article.

Then, if you aren’t sure of the names of your state legislators, look them up the Kentucky Legislative Research Center website. Write a letter, send an email, or call their office to leave a message asking for their support of legislation to help victims of domestic violence.

You can also call the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181 to leave a voice mail for state officials. This line is open 8  a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for most of the year.  During General Assembly, the hours are longer from  7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. Ask the operator to help you leave a message for your state elected officials, and have your message ready to read.

Remember to include your name and address in your email, voice message, or letter. Make sure your remarks are meaningful but not too long. Something like this is usually appropriate:

Senator/Representative … My name is … and I am a resident of your district. I support (Bill Number) because I believe we should do all we can to protect and support victims of domestic violence. This bill is especially important because … I ask for your legislative support for (Bill Number). Victims and survivors in our district are counting on your voice. (Include your first and last name, home address, phone number, and email so the legislator can respond.)

Now, dance your happy dance like no one is watching because you just did your part to help a lonely bill that matters become a law.

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

We can always use volunteers to help with services and outreach, but there are ways to support the mission to end intimate partner abuse in our community even if you’re not in the position to devote time.

One way is to make a financial donation directly to our organization, which is always appreciated. Although we are fortunate to receive generous federal and state funding, this year we need to raise at least 19% of our $1.7 million annual budget through special events and private donations.

Donations can be mailed to PO Box 55190; Lexington, KY 40555. We also offer secure online giving from our website. (You’ll notice this webpage still looks like our old website. We are working with our online donation processing partner to re-brand it soon. In the meantime, your donation will still make it to us safe and sound.)

If you’re interested in attending an event to support the mission, please purchase tickets to attend Lunafest, an annual fundraising event that features short films by, for, and about women. This year’s event is on Thursday, November 7 at The Kentucky Theater. We’re also hosting a special encore screening with our friends at Transylvania University on Sunday, November 10. Learn more about this annual event here.

Another great way to give to donate clothing and furniture to the Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore location near you. Just drop off your donations and tell them it’s us. They will give us vouchers in the value of your donation for our families to shop for what they need. These vouchers offer survivors the opportunity to find clothing for themselves and their children or to buy furniture for their new apartments when they are able to transition out of the shelter.

The Kentucky Domestic Violence Association reports that “40% of teenage girls age 14-17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.”

Intimate partner violence has infiltrated our schools and has become a threat for teenagers.

If you are a parent, mentor, teacher, or youth counselor, please talk to the young adults in your life about healthy relationships and the signs of dating violence. We know it can be a difficult topic to bring up. Loveisrespect, a partnership between Break the Cycle and the National Dating Abuse Helpline, offers all kinds of great resources:

• Starting a Conversation With Your Child About Abuse
• Dating Basics
• Healthy Relationships

If you don’t have direct contact with young adults there are ways to get involved through community organizations such as Big Brother Big Sister or Green Dot,  a program that goes into schools and tells students about intimate partner violence and how to advocate for change and prevention.

In the words of this PSA, it’s about respect.

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

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.