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KPR Community Spotlight: The Willow Domestic Violence Center

Kansas Public Radio
Published March 25, 2024 at 8:00 AM CDT
Photo Courtesy of The Willow Domestic Violence Center
Photo Courtesy of The Willow Domestic Violence Center
Our emergency shelter program is available to survivors of any gender and sexual orientation. Our shelter is a safe space for respite, with advocates on hand to provide empowerment-based case management. Survivors often flee with little to no belongings or documentation. Our advocates are here to help with goal setting, job searching, education opportunities, and many things necessary to rebuild a life free from abuse.

This month, KPR Community Spotlight is focused on the Willow Domestic Violence Center in Lawrence. Willow serves people in Douglas, Jefferson and Franklin counties. All services are provided for free. KPR's J. Schafer recently spoke with two staff members at Willow: Christy Imel, director of development and external affairs, and Adrianne Nuñez, associate director of external affairs. Nuñez says Willow is much more than just a shelter for survivors of domestic violence.

(Listen to interview at top of page.)

Willow's big fundraiser - Bijoux - will be held Thursday, April 4 at the Cider Gallery in Lawrence. Bijoux is a night of music, mystery and magic, featuring live music, decadent bites, bespoke cocktails and a live auction.

If you or someone you know needs help, the Willow Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (785) 843-3333.

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This year - 2024 - we’re launching a brand-new program to help spread the word about local community organizations. KPR’s Community Spotlight gives these organizations an opportunity to spread awareness using KPR’s airwaves each month. Our third spotlighted partner of the year is The Willow Domestic Violence Center.

The best way to combat and end domestic violence and human trafficking is through prevention and outreach. Our External Affairs team works to end and prevent cycles of violence by presenting in schools about healthy relationships, professional trainings and presentations to community partners, and community events to educate about domestic violence and human trafficking and how they correlate with other important issues happening in our communities. During Indigenous Heritage Month 2024, we partnered with the Lawrence Public Library to host an Indigenous Law Panel to discuss domestic violence laws, activism, and action in Indigenous communities.
Photo Courtesy of The Willow Domestic Violence Center
The best way to combat and end domestic violence and human trafficking is through prevention and outreach. Our External Affairs team works to end and prevent cycles of violence by presenting in schools about healthy relationships, professional trainings and presentations to community partners, and community events to educate about domestic violence and human trafficking and how they correlate with other important issues happening in our communities. During Indigenous Heritage Month 2024, we partnered with the Lawrence Public Library to host an Indigenous Law Panel to discuss domestic violence laws, activism, and action in Indigenous communities.

The Willow Domestic Violence Center builds safer communities through shelter, services, and support for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in Douglas, Jefferson, and Franklin counties. Founded in 1976, the organization has grown to include many services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, community-based advocacy, court advocacy, and outreach and prevention. The Willow is dedicated to helping survivors of all genders rebuild and restart their lives. Our purpose is to help survivors break cycles of violence as well as educate the community to stop violence before it starts.

Photo Courtesy of The Willow Domestic Violence Center
Photo Courtesy of The Willow Domestic Violence Center
Our advocates are the bedrock of our organization. Domestic violence or human trafficking has touched almost everyone’s lives in one way or another, which makes our advocates some of the most empathetic and passionate people to serve survivors. Margot Self joined our organization as our Community Advocacy Program Coordinator and is now our Assistant Director of Community Services. In November 2023, she was named “Culture of Health Champion” by LiveWell Douglas County for her work in a Sexual Violence Prevention workgroup. We are beyond grateful for our advocates and all they do in our communities.

You can follow The Willow Domestic Violence Center on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

To learn more about KPR's Community Spotlight program, visit our webpage.
Community Spotlight