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Last updated on Friday, July 6, 2018
(BLOOMINGTON) - Middle Way House is announcing their 2018-2019 Wrapped in Love public art display of tree sweaters. The sweaters will be displayed throughout Bloomington for nearly six months, beginning in October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month - through March 1, 2019. This marks the sixth year the agency has hosted the public art display.
To bring the project to life, Middle Way House relies on a dynamic force of fabric artists and sponsors. Just as the agency works to wrap survivors in warmth and support, teams and individual knitters, weavers, and crocheters lovingly create wraps for each of the sponsored trees. This year Middle Way House hopes to enlist an experienced fabric artist to act as an instructor for a group of teens interested in lending their skills to the project.
Each tree sweater is sponsored by a person or organization committed to helping Middle Way House provide meaningful alternatives to living with violence. Sponsorship levels range from $200 to $5000. Every tree will be clearly marked with the sponsors name and/or logo and Middle Way House's 24/7 help and crisis line number. Funds generated from these sponsorships go directly towards the agency's work to support and empower survivors.
"Wrapped in Love is an inspiring opportunity to bring together community members interested in showing their commitment to helping Middle Way House wrap survivors in love," said Debra Morrow, executive director of Middle Way House. "Every stitch of the project relies on community members working together to create awareness of the issues affecting survivors and the services available to them," said Morrow.
An initial kick-off meeting for fabric artists has been scheduled Middle Way House's administrative office within the New Wings Building (338 S. Washington Street) for Wednesday, July 11th from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. If you are a interested in volunteering to help create tree sweaters or acting as an instructor, please email Erin Hollinden at events@middlewayhouse.org or call (812)333-7404.
If you, your business, or organization are interested in sponsoring a tree, please contact Sam Ujdak via email development@middlewayhouse.org or call (812)333-7404.
Sponsorships are available at the following levels:
For Middle Way House's free, 24/7 confidential help and crisis line, call (812)336-0846.
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 violence. For more information, please visit: www.MiddleWayHouse.org
Middle Way House offers:
A 24-hour Help and Crisis Line: (812) 336-0846. The Help and 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 a paralegal, both with law degrees, one of whom is fluent in Spanish. Legal advocates are available weekdays from 8AM - 6PM to assist people with questions relating to legal remedies for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking and harassment. 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, and the Monroe County Clerk's Office for victims who are self-petitioning.
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, please visit www.MiddleWayHouse.org.
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