All Month
PEACE PUMPKINS

Look for purple pumpkins at businesses in the Lexington-Fayette area. Peace Pumpkins are a project of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition. Each pumpkin includes a QR-code that links to information about services available in the community.

All Month
CARTOBER

Cartober is a month to share how your used vehicle donation can support nonprofit organizations. We partner with CARS to accept donations of cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, and boats to support survivors. Learn more at this link.

Tuesday, October 1
DVAM PROCLAMATION SIGNING

Join representatives of domestic violence programs at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort for the signing of the Governor’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation. The event is at 1 pm and open to the public. Learn more at this link.

Monday, October 7
LNC MEET THE CANDIDATES AND COUNCIL

The Kentucky Nonprofit Network’s Lexington Nonprofit Coalition invites you to meet and greet candidates and Urban County Council Councilmembers who will serve in 2025. They’ll be sharing priorities for improved city partnerships and engagement with nonprofits. The event happens from 5 – 8 pm at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 East Third Street, Lexington. Learn more.

Tuesday, October 8
VOLUNTEER AT OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER

All spots claimed have been claimed for this day! Volunteer for the most-needed projects at our emergency shelter from 10 am to 12 noon. Examples often include sorting, organizing, cleaning, landscaping, and more.

Thursday, October 10
VOLUNTEER ON OUR FARM

Sign up to volunteer on our farm from 10 am to 12 noon. You’ll help with the most-needed seasonal projects. Examples include weeding, planting, harvesting, pest mitigation, and more. Sign up and learn more at this link.

Sunday, October 13
FAITH AND BLUE DONATION DRIVE

We’re grateful to be the benefiting charity of the Faith and Blue Donation Drive Event hosted by Lexington Police Department. Look forward to meeting generous officers dropping off their donations at the Immanuel Baptist Church, 3100 Tates Creek Rd. Learn more about Faith & Blue on their website at this link.

Thursday, October 17
PURPLE THURSDAY

A day of wearing purple to identify yourself as an advocate for survivors! Put on purple shirts, pants, ties, and more to show your support and raise awareness and call for an end to domestic violence.

Thursday, October 17
RISE UP: A SURVIVORS TRIBUTE

The Fayette County Sheriff and Amanda’s Center will host the annual domestic violence vigil in Lexington from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, outside in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, 150 N. Limestone.

Friday, October 18
CANDLE WALK VIGIL

Join Elizabeth’s Village for a Domestic Violence Vigil and Candle Walk in Georgetown. The walk begins at Colorspell Studio and ends in front of City Hall where survivors will share their stories. Learn more at this link.

Tuesday, October 22
PEACE BEGINS AT HOME

Boyle County is hosting a domestic violence awareness event from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Weisiger Park. There will be resource tables, kids’ activities, and food trucks.

Wednesday, October 23
DONUT LET LOVE HURT

Our friends with Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Kentucky will be hosting a donut and information table on campus to raise awareness about dating and domestic violence — and support our services! Learn more about the AXO dedication to our mission at this link.

Talk to young people in your life about healthy relationships.

Talk with young people in your life about boundaries and respect. Having conversations now can help them identify red flags when it’s time to start dating. Share and model what a healthy relationship looks like – talk about respect, equality, safety, and trust. Read more.

Ask yourself honestly if your own behavior is truly violence-free.

Healthy relationships require self-awareness. That means you want to find ways to express how you’re feeling, practice active listening when your partner is doing the same and work together to find solutions — even when you disagree. By practicing healthier relationship habits and modeling them for others, you contribute to ending intimate partner abuse. Read more.

Ask your employer and faith leader about policies that inform their response to domestic violence.

Are these policies centered on the safety, healing, and stability of victims? If there isn’t a policy, advocate for a best-practice response to be developed. Places of work and faith must be safe for survivors to reach for help. Read more about workplace policies and faith place policies.

By taking a stand against intimate partner abuse today, we support survivors and build a community that will be intolerant of violence for generations to come.