(BLOOMINGTON) – Middle Way House is announcing its annual spring luncheon in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event will take place on Thursday, April 4th at the Alpha Chi Omega House located at 1000 N. Jordan Avenue.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. with appetizers and a 50/50 raffle. Lunch will be served promptly at noon.
Sexual violence affects individuals of all identities and backgrounds throughout society, and individuals from marginalized communities are disproportionately harmed. Four distinguished experts in their respective fields (Dr. Deb Getz-Assistant Professor in IU’s Department of Applied Health Science, Debra Morrow-Executive Director of Middle Way House, Ron Smith-Mental Health Counselor, and Dr. Beverly Stoeltje-Professor Emerita in IU’s Department of Anthropology and Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology) will help us understand how each of us can advocate for all survivors while affirming diverse identities and experiences.
The event is co-chaired by Deborah Hutton (retired-halftime International Outreach Coordinator for the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies) and Dr. Beverly Stoeltje (Professor Emerita in IU’s Department of Anthropology and Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology). Alpha Chi Omega will generously host and cater the lunch in order to help Middle Way House toward their vision of ending domestic and sexual violence in the lives of all people. The event raises awareness and funds for the agency which provides a broad range of empowering services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking throughout six counties in southern Indiana.
“I am especially grateful to Alpha Chi Omega for their long-standing support of Middle Way House, including hosting and catering this luncheon, and am honored by the participation of our featured speakers,” said Debra Morrow, Executive Director of Middle Way House. “The topic of the luncheon aligns with Middle Way House’s client-centered model, which respects diverse identities and affirms the dignity of each client,” said Morrow.
The luncheon is sponsored by Applegate Consulting Group, an organization development (OD) practice that assists national and international nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and socially responsible for-profit corporations with developing human and organizational capacity and building a more just and equitable society. “I’ve been working for 30 years as a staff member and consultant with a range of women’s rights organizations,” said Beth Applegate, founder of Applegate Consulting Group. “It feels so gratifying to work in my hometown with Middle Way House, an agency that provides empowering services to all survivors,” said Applegate.
Tickets for the event are $30 each or $270 for a table for ten and include appetizers, lunch, and dessert. To purchase tickets, visit www.MiddlWayHouse.org and click on ‘Events’.
Besides the luncheon, Middle Way House’s Crisis Intervention Services team will recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month by hosting several free community education events. These include Consent 201–a community education workshop featuring a broad range of breakout sessions to help attendees integrate and explore consent within their own lives on April 18th and Consent 301– an accountability workshop to help explore the complexities of accountability and support for people who have caused harm on April 25th. Both events will be held at the Banneker Center at 930 W. 7th Street from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
For more information about any of these or other community education and awareness events, visit www.MiddleWayHouse.org and click on ‘Events’ or contact the Crisis Intervention Services team at 812-333-7404.
For Middle Way House’s free and confidential 24/7 help and crisis line call 812-336-0846.
