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Middle Way House Fall Luncheon Features Survivors Of Domestic Violence

Last updated on Monday, October 16, 2017

(BLOOMINGTON) - Middle Way House is announcing their annual fall luncheon to be held during the 30th anniversary of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The luncheon will take place on Thursday, October 26th, with doors opening at 11 a.m. and lunch at Noon. Alpha Chi Omega will host and cater lunch for up to 130 guests in order to help Middle Way House toward their goal of ending violence in our community.

The event raises awareness and funds for the nonprofit emergency shelter and rape crisis center that serves six counties in southern Indiana. This year's featured speakers are Jordan DeHaven and Emily McCluskey, co-founders of the emPOWERHOUSE Renovation Team. Both Emily and Jordan are survivors of domestic violence and former clients of Middle Way House.

The luncheon will be held at the Alpha Chi Omega house, located at 1000 N Jordan Ave. Doors open at 11 AM with a silent auction and appetizers. Lunch will be served promptly at noon. The silent auction will feature artwork by Rudy Pozzatti as well as gift certificates from many local businesses.

"We are so grateful to Alpha Chi Omega for hosting and catering this luncheon and are especially honored to have Jordan and Emily join us to share their personal experiences of survivorship and empowerment," said Debra Morrow, Executive Director of Middle Way House.

Because of their personal experiences, McCluskey and DeHaven are deeply committed to their support of Middle Way House and to empowering survivors of domestic abuse. This includes addressing issues that affect survivors, such as housing. A lack of access to safe, affordable housing is often a significant barrier for survivors and is critical in order to achieve long-term safety.

"As a survivor of domestic violence and mother of two sons, I am intent on helping other women in similar positions secure their financial futures through home ownership," said Jordan DeHaven, Visions Coordinator and co-founder of emPOWERHOUSE. "I now volunteer my time to help others feel empowered," said DeHaven.

"It is my goal to help secure long-term housing for survivors of abuse," said Emily McCluskey, Mortgage Consultant and co-founder of emPOWERHOUSE. "As a survivor, mother of two, and volunteer at Middle Way House, I hope to bring domestic abuse into the public eye in order to transform the future of our community," said McCluskey.

Tickets for the event are $25 each and include appetizers, lunch and dessert.

To purchase tickets for the annual fall luncheon, please visit www.MiddleWayHouse.org and click on "events" or call (812) 333-7404

For Middle Way House's free, confidential crisis line, call (812) 336-0846

About EnPOWERHOUSE Renovation:

The emPOWERHOUSE Renovation Team is a full-service mortgage lender and was created to provide home financing with a tailored, personal approach to purchasing and renovating homes throughout Indiana. Powered by AmeriFirst Home mortgage, emPOWERHOUSE provides all the services needed for people to find a house within their budget, purchase it, and transform it into the home they envisioned.

About Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues and raise awareness for these issues. October 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of DVAM. Over the last three decades, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further these goals.

About Middle Way House:

Since 1971, Middle Way House has been providing services to people in crisis. Today, Middle Way House provides emergency shelter; a 24-hour crisis line; on-scene advocacy; support

services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking; transitional and permanent housing solutions for survivors; legal advocacy; and education and prevention programs. Middle Way House serves six counties in southern Indiana, relying on a staff of 70 and a volunteer force of 300+ to provide around-the-clock response to abuse and assault. Middle Way House has been recognized as one of six national model programs by the U.S. Department of Justice. For more information, please visit: www.MiddleWayHouse.org

Middle Way House offers:

A 24-hour Crisis Line: (812) 336-0846. The Crisis Line offers immediate intervention and support by trained peers and advocates. Help is available in multiple languages, as well as TDD, for the hearing impaired. These services are free and confidential.

Emergency shelter for people fleeing violence at home. Our 30-bed shelter is a safe place for families until they are able to find an appropriate, affordable place to live. At the shelter, residents contribute to the upkeep of their own and group spaces, often share evening meals, and take advantage of programs designed to help them move on with their lives.

Transitional Housing: helps low-income individuals who are recovering from the impacts of domestic violence to secure permanent, safe and affordable housing; achieve economic security; and develop their capacities for self-determination. The RISE! opened in 1998, and currently provides affordable housing for 28 families who have experienced life-threatening violence, poverty, and homelessness. Free programming at The RISE! focuses on giving the formerly dis-empowered the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take the power that is rightfully theirs to determine their own future.

Healthy Relationships & Violence Prevention Education: Middle Way House has created interactive curriculum designed to prevent interpersonal dating violence as well as domestic and sexual violence. Specially trained educators tailor presentations to fit the specific needs of each audience. This program is offered to area middle schools, high schools, and youth-serving organizations. Adult versions of the program are available, including sessions for developmentally disabled adults and lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender men and women. Our objective is for participants to leave with the shared goal of preventing violence in the future and in possession of the skills to do just that

Legal Advocacy: The legal advocacy team is coordinated by an attorney and two paralegals. Legal advocates are available weekdays from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. to assist people with questions related to legal remedies for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking and harassment. In addition, a full-time Middle Way House legal advocate is available within the Protective Order Assistance Partnership (POAP) housed in the Monroe County Clerk's Office for survivors who are self-petitioning for a protective order. Advocates assist clients in filling out divorce petitions, motions to assist, and protective orders; discuss custody and visitation options, making referrals to pro bono and reduced fee programs, private attorneys, therapists and other resources; assist clients eligible for victims' compensation in pursuing that relief; accompany victims to court hearings and case-related appointments to provide emotional support. The legal advocacy office coordinates services with the Protective Order Project, at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, which provides assistance with volunteer attorney back-up for persons seeking protective orders. Call (812) 333-7404 to set up an appointment with a legal advocate.

Sexual Assault Support Services: Middle Way House provides services for survivors of sexual assault, which includes any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape.

Human Trafficking Support Services: The U.S. Department of State estimates over 27 million people across the globe are currently trapped in a form of modern day slavery and the United States has been identified as a significant hub for both labor and sex trafficking. Middle Way House has provided support services for many survivors of human trafficking, which is defined as a commercial sex act induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age. We provide shelter and resources for survivors.

Middle Way House envisions a community where individuals live free from violence and the threat of violence; a community characterized by social and economic justice, and equality across the gender spectrum; a community where everyone's contribution is honored and individual and group differences are valued; a community where every citizen is adequately fed, housed, educated and employed; a community that provides opportunities for meaningful participation, personal growth, and creative expression.

For more information visit www.MiddleWayHouse.org

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