By Brittany Culp, Citizen Journalist
The Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program (BDVP) was originally started in Lexington, Kentucky by The YWCA of Central Kentucky. This organization originally ran the Spousal Abuse Center. But, BDVP was created and took over these services almost seven years ago. The program was taken over but a group of people and is now a separate entity of the YWCA of Central Kentucky. The BDVP is a community-driven project. Aside from an office and farm, the BDVP also has a Facebook fan page, a website http://www.beyondtheviolence.org/ and a 24-hour crisis hotline (1-800-544-2022).
The motto of the BDVP is: "Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program is an advocacy agency committed to ending intimate partner abuse and its impact on families and our community."
Its goals are to provide holistic services and to help make better lives for those in violent situations. They believe that domestic violence is not a private or personal problem, as many people still believe, but a community problem. They strive to end domestic violence, achieving a better, safer, community for everyone.
The BDVP holds many events and fundraisers throughout the year, such as a roller-derby (The Roller Derby Girls of Central Kentucky, or ROCK, dedicated their opening bout to us this year. Events that we, as BDVP, host are Lunafest and the Annual Hattie Mae Golf Scramble) and golf scramble. They also attend many fairs and festivals throughout the year in the Bluegrass area to promote the organization (provide awareness of violence in our community and services to those needing support). The BDVP very actively participates in Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which takes place throughout the entire month of October, every year. Aside from these, one of the biggest fundraisers is their "Supporting the Survivor" masquerade ball held in part with BaK 4 More Studio as well as Move Rhythm Danz. Bak 4 More Salon and Studio and Move Rhythm Danz Studio organize the Supporting the Survivor Masquerade Ball and have chosen BDVP as the beneficiary. Other events organized by the community and benefitting BDVP include Baubles and Bling Amanda Ross' Birthday party.
The BDVP contributes to the community by offering aid and assistance to men, women and children in violent intimate partner abuse situations. The services BDVP offer’s in 17 counties has grown, but they have always served 17 counties. They extend their services across the Bluegrass and work with the police departments as well as various other community organizations, to help find ways to help get their victims off the road of crisis and on the track to self-sufficiency.
A representative from the BDVP stated: “If you're not safe in your home, then you’re not safe in your community."
Those that volunteer with the BDVP are a big help and very much appreciated. There is always work to be done, whether it’s helping at a booth at a festival, helping clear fence line at the farm or helping someone personally become a survivor (someone out of an abusive situation). The volunteers help to promote community awareness, they help to provide strength in numbers, and they also are a huge asset by simply giving their time and assistance to help those in the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program.
Like many businesses, organizations and people in today's world, we are expected to do more with fewer resources because of a slacking economy. The BDVP is no different. They too have come across these obstacles, as well as some others in their quest. Today, there is more stress on families, which in turn, is resulting in more needs in the community. Internet stalking has also become a problem for the BDVP one they're working very hard to overcome. It's a new problem facing them. In the age of Facebook and Twitter, personal information can be easily accessed. That freedom of information, while it allows clients to find us, can also put their safety at risk.
A representative stated: “We're constantly trying to make sure clients have the information they need to keep themselves safe online. Getting domestic violence out into the public eye has also been a struggle. For a very long time domestic violence has gone on ‘behind closed doors.’"
The BDVP has brought its light to the horror and ugliness of domestic violence, so that they may show those in the community why it must be stopped; while at the same time providing the means to do so.
The BDVP has many visions for the future. In an effort to become more financially independent they are working toward making their farm into a working, profitable farm. They also are working toward expanding their current facility to help with the need for housing as well as expand their art department. The BDVP received a small grant to offer an art group at the Shelter. Currently, there is a local artist that comes in and volunteers time for art therapy. The group has been such a success that the BDVP is trying to find ways to extend the program. Because of this, the need for a larger art department is required.
In the long run though, the main goal of the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program is to eventually make it so that there is no need for their services.
"We want to work ourselves out of a job and have a community that is safe," a representative from the BDVP stated.
Help is always needed, as well as very much appreciated at the BDVP. The community can help in many ways by volunteering their time and resources. The BDVP would love to have a bed-in-a-bag to give to each person who arrives at the BDVP. They would also very much like to be able to give each survivor a "Home basket" to have when they are done with the program. This ideally, would contain kitchen utensils, bed sets and toiletries, and would help them to jump-start their new life. This would be very much appreciated and is another way of giving if you do not have enough time to volunteer.
Another wish the BDVP has is to obtain a tractor to really get the farm going. A tractor is an asset to a farm and a major help. If it is possible for the community to donate one, it would be put to good use and help countless people!
You may also help by becoming a part of the Direct-Service-Staff (a volunteer would not become part of the direct service staff, but they could work directly with survivors). Those who are on this staff go through a 40-hour commitment, as well as a background check before working with victims. If you would like more information on how to help, please go to the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program's website at: http://www.beyondtheviolence.org/
If you would like to take a further or different step towards ending domestic violence, there are many ways you can do so. You can become a fan of the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program Facebook fan page, sign up for mew letters (e-news) on the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program's website and always be aware a choices you make in your own life and don't put yourself into a violent situation. Aside from these things you can also take a stand by writing to our Kentucky State Representatives and Senators. Kentucky is one of only six states that does not offer protection from dating violence. To be clear, Kentucky does offer criminal recourse, but not any civil protections, meaning protective orders. Writing or calling our Representatives and Senators saying that we want this protection is just one more way we can all take an active stand against this horrific act that affects so many people today. BDVP can't tell people to take a stance one way or another, but they can and do encourage people to call their state legislatures if they feel strongly about a cause!
The community as a whole can help to end domestic violence. As long as violence exists in our community, none of us are truly safe. Speak up and let others know that you and this community will not stand for domestic violence any longer.
