October Letter from the CEO

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Every year, it highlights how much of our work is rooted in community.

This month, our community has shown what awareness can look like in action. Locally, it looks like news stations covering a story of a survivor's abuse, hoping someone might recognize their own experience and know that a path to safety is possible. Awareness showed up when 96 runners and walkers laced up for our inaugural Steps for Safety 5K, raising more than $8,300 for survivors. Awareness spreads beyond our ten-counties, as we recognized DVAM through a gubernatorial proclamation and a celebration at ZeroV, Kentucky’s coalition against domestic violence, honoring advocates across the commonwealth for their work. We were thrilled to recognize one of our own, Debbie Chandler, whose dedication behind the scenes has helped ensure BRASS, Inc. has the financial foundation to continue providing critical services to survivors for nearly two decades.

At BRASS, Inc., we believe survivors, support them in finding safety, and empower them to rebuild. Rebuilding a life after abuse takes time, support, and resources. Many in our community know about our emergency services and crisis response.

But- did you know that we provide assistance after the crisis has passed? A survivor moving from shelter into a new apartment requires furniture and utensils and cookware at a minimum. A safe place to live is an important beginning, but the everyday essentials that make a house feel like a home matter just as much.

That’s why this fall you have two different opportunities to raise awareness and support survivors with us. Our Fall Wishlist Drive has those everyday household essentials that so many of us take for granted, but would be deeply missed in our own homes.

The next time you need the convenience of running through a drive-thru, consider White Castle for a quick meal and say yes to rounding up your total to contribute a few extra cents. These small acts of generosity can make a meaningful difference as survivors take their next steps toward independence.

Purchasing something from our Wish List, rounding up at White Castle, or taking a few minutes to share a survivor’s story provides the opportunity to remind someone in our community that they are not alone.

Thank you for sharing awareness this October and standing with survivors every day beyond.

With gratitude,

Tori Henninger

Chief Executive Officer, BRASS, Inc.