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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.

People ask us, “What can I do to help?” This October, during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’ll give you 17 ways.

Look to our blog, Facebook page, and Twitter feed every day from October 1 to October 17 for practical ways you can nurture victims of abuse and help put an end to intimate partner violence in families and our community.

Act on the ones that seem doable to you, and share them with your friends and family.

Today we take the bold step of changing our name to GreenHouse17.

Our new name and brand image are a truer representation of the principles that guide us and our passionate commitment to the mission to end intimate partner violence.  Just as the protection of a greenhouse nurtures plants so they grow healthy and strong, GreenHouse17 nurtures human beings, helping them grow, flourish and leave the trauma of abuse behind them.

In the words of Darlene Thomas, our Executive Director, “We’ve been aware for a long time of the disconnect between our name and our mission.  We take a holistic approach to helping people not simply to survive a crisis, but to grow as human beings and move on to lead full and fulfilling lives. We tend to think way outside the box and are passionate about our work.  Our new name, GreenHouse17, gets to the heart of what we do – nurture lives damaged by intimate partner violence – in 17 Kentucky counties.”

Our new name and brand will become official on October 18 when our Board of Directors, staff, and community partners gather for a celebration under the Contemplation Pavilion on our beautiful Bluegrass farm.

The rollout was deliberately timed to benefit from heightened awareness of the problem of intimate partner violence during the month of October, designated   National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We’re ramping up to the official launch date of our new name and brand with 17 Days/17Ways – an awareness initiative of its own. Look for one practical tip about how the community can combat the problem on our Facebook page and via Twitter each day from October 1 to October 17.

“Even more important, we believe a more positive and optimistic image, focused on the solution not the problem, will be more apt to engage community understanding and support to help wipe out a problem that affects us all.”

Gina, whose mother is a long-time resident of Lexington, began her journey in shoe design with the loving support of a family in the shoe business for many years.  Not only is she following her desire to design shoes as unique and beautiful as the women who wear them, she’s also heeding her father’s advice to “stay true to what is in your mind’s eye and in your heart.”

Gina is a long time regular on Daytime with celebrated turns on “The Guiding Light” (as Dinah Marler) and ABC’s “One Life to Live” (as Kelly Cramer).  Other Television credits include The Sopranos, Law & Order SVU, Fastlane, This Time Around and Phenomenon.