Love, Loss, and What I Wore – Special Showing to Benefit Domestic Violence Survivors
Posted on 07. May, 2013 by BDVP in Events, Featured, News
Celebrating the Bluegrass at Keeneland
Posted on 07. May, 2013 by BDVP in News
We are humbled and honored to be chosen as one of the benefiting organizations for this Suburban Women’s Club of Lexington (SWC) event. It’s been such a pleasure partnering with our friends at SWC and Pink Connection. The evening will include a silent auction, dinner, and awards. We’ll be providing fresh flower centerpieces from the farm for the event. Come out to show your support for survivors!
Farm Features – Storytelling
Posted on 25. Apr, 2013 by BDVP in Events, Farm, Featured, News, Stories
We have so many stories to tell about our farm and the ways it connects to our mission to end intimate partner abuse!
Over on the Grow Appalachia website, we recently shared a two-part blog about how the farm began. You can read it here and here. Participants in our farm stipend program are helping us tell the stories, too. Recent posts by participants include Simply Delightful and Feeling Productive.
If you’d like to learn more about our farm and other trauma-informed work to help survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives, we hope you’ll contact us to participate in one of our upcoming tours.
Farm Features – Worms, Hoops, and Berries
Posted on 09. Apr, 2013 by BDVP in Farm, News
We are so proud that our farm is a Grow Appalachia Partner Site! In fulfillment of our partner agreement, we’ll be making regular blog posts on their website during this year’s growing season. You can follow our farm adventures – and stories from other partner sities – by visiting this link. We’ll also be rounding up these stories for you every month, right here on our website. Here goes:
- We think worms are just wonderful.
- One reason why we love our hoop houses.
- You’ll want to make this frozen berry cobbler recipe.
Last but not least, we’re really excited about our new blog series called Field Notes. This series features posts written by clients in our farm stipend project, an effort to help victims of domestic violence develop horticulture skills and small business experience as they rebuild their lives as survivors.
You’re Invited — Join Us for a Tour
Posted on 07. Apr, 2013 by BDVP in Events, Featured, News
We’d love for you to join us for a tour. Let us show you around the shelter, introduce you to our staff, and share some stories about our award-winning programs and farm. If you’re already familiar with our work, please consider bringing a friend with you to introduce them to our mission. Here are the upcoming tour dates and times.
- Tuesday, April 30 from 5.30 – 6.30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 1 from 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 28 from 5.30 – 6.30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 5 from 11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 25 from 5.30 – 6.30 p.m.
Reservations are required for planning purposes. RSVP to Olivia by e-mail (olivia dot spradlin at bdvp dot org) or call her at 859-519-1900. Please be sure to include the date and time of the tour you’d like to attend. We’ll follow up with confirmation and driving directions. Hope to see you soon!
Let us “flower” your event with local goodness
Posted on 20. Mar, 2013 by BDVP in Farm, Featured, News
Are you in need of flowers for an event this spring, summer, or fall? Consider our lovely, vibrant flower arrangements for all seasonal occasions. Every flower is grown on our farm, tended to by survivors and our staff, and specially arranged to meet your event needs. Call Jessica at 859-519-1902 or send her an e-mail today!
All flowers are grown utilizing principles of earth stewardship and sustainable agriculture by our survivors and staff. Proceeds will support our farm program.
CSA – Enjoy a share of our harvest
Posted on 20. Mar, 2013 by BDVP in Farm, Featured, News
Do you enjoy seasonal, locally grown vegetables and berries? Would you consider purchasing a “share” of our farm’s produce or flowers?
We are exploring options for a new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project for the summer season. A CSA is a pre-ordered, prepaid share in a farm’s harvest. Although many CSAs require a seasonal or annual subscription, we are planning to offer weekly or monthly options.
Shares will cost about $25 a week for a basket filled with a generous supply of produce or flowers harvested that week. CSA members would be required to pick up their baskets on a set day of the week at a convenient downtown location.
If you are interested in joining our CSA project, please contact Jessica at 859-519-1902 or send her an email.
All produce and flowers are grown utilizing principles of earth stewardship and sustainable agriculture by our survivors and staff. Proceeds will support our farm program.
The Contemplation Pavilion
Posted on 20. Mar, 2013 by BDVP in Events, Farm, Featured, News, Stories
Last summer, two Girl Scouts from Troop 21 decided to build hope for the families living in our emergency shelter. After learning about our mission, Despina Wilson and Shelby Ware were committed to creating a comfortable space for families to rest, reflect, and renew. The resulting project–our new Contemplation Pavilion–proves young people can realize big goals with strong vision, community support, and a lot of hard work.
Despina and Shelby each contributed their own skills and special touch to the pavilion project. While Despina worked to secure materials, funds and volunteers for the structure itself, Shelby created an informational brochure and organized a brick paver sale and installation to recognize volunteers and donors . Dozens of friends, family, and local businesses pitched in to help the girls prepare the site, pour concrete, build the structure, and install the roofing.
The pavilion already has become a special place on our property. In addition to providing refuge from the sun and wind when we’re working on the farm, it provides a wonderful gathering space for family picnics and community celebrations. Our staff and residents look forward to planning support group meetings in the beautiful outdoor space when the warmer weather finally arrives.
This big accomplishment by Shelby and Despina reminds us to “never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people” — especially Girl Scouts with a mission to help! Both girls earned the Gold Award, the highest Girl Scout honor, in recognition of their philanthropic project.
Take Back the Night Lexington
Posted on 20. Mar, 2013 by BDVP in Events, Featured, News
Take Back The Night Lexington is an annual local event to take a stand against sexual violence in our community. We invite you to show your support for survivors and speak out against violence by participating in the march and rally on Wednesday, March 27.
Marching to the event starts at 7 p.m. from these locations:
- University of Kentucky’s Patterson Office Tower Plaza
- Third Street Stuff and Cafe, 257 North Limestone, Lexington, KY 40507
- Thoroughbred Park, On the Corner of Midland Ave and Main St, Lexington, KY 40508.
The rally begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, 120 N. Limestone St, Lexington, KY 40507. Make plans to attend the after party at Third Street Stuff and Coffee!
We’ll see you there.
(BIG shout out to our friends and colleagues at University of Kentucky VIP Center for planning and coordinating this important community event each year.)
Source: Take Back the Night 2013 from VIP Center on Vimeo.
GoodGiving Challenge!
Posted on 31. Oct, 2012 by BDVP in Events, Featured, News, Stories
Blue Grass Community Foundation and Smiley Pete Publishing (Chevy Chaser, Southsider and Business Lexington Magazines) have just launched the 2012 GoodGiving Guide Challenge to inspire $400,000 in charitable giving to 68 local nonprofits. We’re excited to be one of them!
Donate early to double–or even triple–your donation
The donation website opens November 1 at 8:00 a.m. The first $500 in donations we receive will be matched by a donor from our Board of Directors. Plus, in celebration of their upcoming 45th anniversary, Blue Grass Community Foundation will give a matching endowment grant to the first 10 nonprofit participants to raise $4,500 and receive 45 unique contributions of $25 or more. This means your donation could be tripled! Click here to visit the donation page today!
Lots of prizes for you and us
Blue Grass Community Foundation and Smiley Pete Publishing have lined up dozens of thank you gifts to individuals who give at different levels. Click here to check out some of the prizes. With your help, we can earn some great prizes, too. Here are a few goals we hope to meet this year:
- Most Donors (unique donors giving $25 or more)
- Most Donors under 35 years of age (unique donors giving $25 or more)
- Greatest Increased Number of Donors from 2011 (unique donors giving $25 or more)
- Nonprofit with the Most Total Donations
- Local First Lexington Membership Prize – All nonprofits raising $2,500 or more receive 1-year free membership to Local First Lexington
Follow our progress
The GoodGiving Challenges runs through the end of the year. You can check our progress on the Challenge Leader Board and stay informed of weekly prizes on Facebook, Twitter, and www.goodgivingguide.net.
Thanks so much for helping us meet this challenge. As always, your support of our organization helps end intimate partner abuse and its impact on families and our community. Here’s to giving local!
