"Nestled on 40 acres in the Bluegrass sits the emergency shelter for the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program (BDVP), a 32-bed home including 12 bedrooms, two community living rooms, a large dining area, group rooms, children's playrooms, library, cooperative child classroom and art room. The shelter is fully secure and staffed 24 hours per day. With the rural location, the space provides a beautiful setting for privacy, peace, and healing.
The BDVP is one of 15 domestic violence programs within the state of Kentucky and is a member of the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA), a private, non-profit agency that establishes standards of service and provides assistance and oversight to member programs. A separate, private, non-profit agency, BDVP receives funding from many sources including United Way of the Bluegrass, Heart of Kentucky United Way, federal, state and local governments, grants from corporate entities and foundations, and private donations. All services are provided by a staff of KDVA-certified domestic violence advocates and are free of charge.
Perhaps many don't realize the true magnitude of domestic violence. According to a 2006 report by the KDVA, nearly one in three women experience physical assault by a partner during adulthood, and 40 percent of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. Domestic violence is a systemic problem, and a 1992 overview of domestic violence legal cases published by the American Bar Association reported that 63 percent of all males between the ages of 11 and 20 who are serving time for homicide in the United States are incarcerated because they killed their mothers' abuser. It is essential to be aware of this issue and that efforts to eradicate intimate partner violence in the community are made. The cost of intimate partner abuse can have staggering effects — lost days of work, lowered productivity, substance abuse, breakdown of the family unit, involvement with the criminal justice system, permanent physical damage and even death. As a society, we cannot allow this violence to continue. It is in our best interest as both individuals and as a community to support the BDVP's essential work of bringing peace to Kentucky homes.
The BDVP has served over 25,000 families since its inception in 2004 and has already become recognized for high-quality, innovative services. BDVP leads the state in the provision of affordable permanent housing in partnership with the Kentucky Housing Corporation, having placed 140 individuals since September 2006. BDVP is the primary provider of services to victims of intimate partner violence in Lexington and the surrounding 16 counties, which make up the Bluegrass Area Development District. This service area, which is the largest in the state, includes Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott and Woodford counties. In 2006 alone, BDVP staff worked with nearly 10,000 men, women and children providing shelter, counseling or advocacy services.
'We all play a part in ensuring safety in the home, workplace, and community." said Darlene Thomas, executive director of the BDVP. "Most workplace and school violence is related to violence within the home.
Violence and safety are interconnected. Safe homes, safe streets, safe work environments all translate into a safe community. Wouldn't it be great for Lexington to lead the nation as a safe community?"
The emergency shelter is presently above capacity. Although the facility has 32 beds, it currently houses nearly 50 people, and demand is growing daily because of the great need for the programs and services.
According to 2006 estimates by the United States Census Bureau, the population of BDVP's service area is 731,861. BDVP is working to purchase the shelter facility and has begun forging partnerships to accomplish this goal. In addition, the program is making plans to expand the building to include 10-12 transitional housing suites that will allow individuals to continue to receive supportive services and to stabilize from the crisis of intimate partner abuse. The suites will provide six months to two years of supportive housing, case management, financial literacy, and asset development accounts to help families gain the financial capabilities necessary to become self-sufficient.
BDVP provides a continuum of services, including crisis intervention, legal and medical advocacy, financial literacy training, parenting support, individual and group counseling, a cooperative child classroom, a Peace for Pets program, a Montessori-style children's program and community education and awareness-building activities. Expansion of the building will also include a training facility that will be used as a place for community partners such as local business, law enforcement and corporations to gather and learn more about the issues of domestic violence and appropriate interventions.
As an agency, BDVP has already experienced tremendous growth, including the doubling of the BDVP's budget in the past 36 months to over $1.5 million, the receipt of a Knight Foundation grant to provide children's programming and parenting support, nomination for a Fifth Third Bank Innovative Non-Profit Award and three Best Practice Commendations received from the KDVA. These accolades speak volumes about what this program has achieved and demonstrate their dedication and leadership in the field. BDVP recognizes that the problem of intimate partner abuse is not simple and continues to devise new strategies to aid victims and bring attention to the issues.
Lexington has embraced this program and has joined the crusade. Volunteer support, such as the 100 Women and 100 Good Guys, has graciously donated to the program. In order to achieve the ongoing and future success of the program, a community investment campaign is essential. The needs of the program and its participants are wide-ranging. Support and partnerships with members of the community allow the agency to meet these needs and ensure that participants are equipped with the tools and resources to attain their goals.
Monetary and in-kind donations of services and goods are always welcome and are vital to the success of the program and the accomplishment of the goal of building a stronger community in which violence is not tolerated for any family or individual. The BDVP can be reached at its Web site, www.beyondtheviolence.org, or by phone at (859) 233-0657.
Empowerment is the key. By providing shelter, safety, self-esteem and support as participants transition back into the community, BDVP increases the chances that families can attain stability and self-sufficiency. BDVP encourages community participation at all levels, and in all programs, and relies on the support of individuals, businesses and corporations within the community to bring an end to intimate partner violence within the community. "