BLOOMINGTON – In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Middle Way House is continuing its annual tradition of adorning trees throughout downtown Bloomington with tree sweaters crafted by local fabric artists.
This is a very special exhibition for Middle Way House as they are celebrating 50 years of providing services to the community.
Middle Way House invites all members of the community to celebrate the exhibition kick-off on Friday, October 7th, at 6 p.m. on the southeast corner of the Courthouse lawn.
“Wrapped in Love perfectly symbolizes the heartfelt care and many services Middle Way House effectively provides to the Bloomington community and beyond,” said Bob Arnove, Gold Leaf Sponsor
The tree sweaters are hung throughout the heart of Bloomington and feature Middle Way House’s 24/7 Help & Crisis Line phone number, 812-336-0846.
“Our book group has had the best time creating a tree sweater for the Wrapped in Love event,” said Carol Williams, Bloomin’ Book Buddies, Silver Spruce Sponsor. “It’s been a collaborative process that we’ve all enjoyed. But more importantly, we feel strongly about supporting the professionals and volunteers of Middle Way House and the important work they do by providing assistance to survivors.”
The public art display spans five months, ending in March of 2023. Each beautiful tree sweater is sponsored by a business, person, or organization committed to helping Middle Way House provide meaningful alternatives to living with violence.
Last year, Middle Way House saw an increase of 125-150 crisis line calls each month during the Wrapped in Love exhibition.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project throughout the eleven years since it began,” said Carrie Stillions Interim Executive Director at Middle Way House. “We would also like to thank all of the fabric artists who have donated their time and talents to make this the largest public art display of tree sweaters ever. And, thanks most of all to our generous sponsors.”
Sponsorships are still available. If you are interested in supporting Middle Way House’s commitment to supporting survivors, please contact them at development@middlewayhouse.org.
Gold Leaf Sponsors:
- Bob Arnove
- Ivy Tech Community College — Bloomington, IN
- Anna Strout in honor of Ekah Yoga, The People’s Market, Toby Strout, and
- Martha Voyles
Silver Spruce Sponsors:
- Bloomin’ Book Buddies
- Indiana University Health
- Loren Wood Builders
- Plant Brothers Excavating
- Peg and Brian Smith in memory of Jenny Triebel LaPointe, Sue Dickelman
- Sullivan, and Judy Ellerman Petrushka
- Vibrant Life
- WFHB
About Middle Way House
Since the early 1970s, Middle Way House has been providing services to people in crisis. Today, Middle Way House provides support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, including an emergency shelter, a 24/7 help & crisis line, on-scene advocacy, transitional and permanent housing solutions for survivors and their families, legal advocacy, and education and prevention programs. Middle Way House serves six counties in southern Indiana (Monroe, Greene, Lawrence, Owen, Morgan, and Martin) and relies on a staff of 70 and a committed volunteer force to provide around-the-clock response and services to those experiencing abuse and assault. It is not necessary that an individual to reside in our emergency shelter or transitional housing program to access most of our services. We believe, support, and affirm the identities of ALL survivors. For more information, please visit www.middlewayhouse.org.
