2023 October "Blanket of Hope" Partnership Seminar

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As a faith leader in our Rural Faith community, you play a significant role in the wellbeing of our society. 

We appreciate all that you do and want to support you in your work. 

Domestic violence is one of the challenges that affects our families and communities. And, as you know, it thrives in secrecy and silence. Often, we are shocked when the secret is exposed. It is now part of our daily news and heartbreaking when people are injured or killed, and when children and pets are involved. At least two of the murder-suicide victims in Greater Gardner and Twin Cities were members of our faith community. How can we do better?

In 2018 a group of rural community members: domestic violence service providers, law enforcement, and those who have a passion for helping victims and survivors, developed the Gardner Domestic Violence Task Force. This was solely to identify areas in our rural community where we could better support survivors and their families as they work to build a safe and peaceful life in Gardner and surrounding towns. Our team of highly educated and resolute volunteers work diligently on projects to bring solutions to areas of need. However, the DV (Domestic Violence) Task Force cannot do this alone. We need YOUR help to keep survivors and their families safe. 

That is why we are so excited to let you know that on October 25, 2023, the Gardner Domestic Violence Task Force will host a "Blanket of Hope" Partnership Seminar. This is an all-morning seminar that will allow us all to talk about this question: "how can we do better and keep people safer?" During the morning, we will introduce our local Domestic Violence service providers and provide essential information about the topic. 

Our keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Anne Marie Hunter, a United Methodist clergyperson and the Co-Director of Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse. Hunter is a nationally acclaimed educator with over 30 years' experience working at the intersection of faith and abuse.

We can all learn more about how to help and why it is important to be in partnership with the experts in the field of domestic violence. We hope our partnership with you and the other Task Force members can be a "Blanket of Hope" for those suffering from domestic violence in our congregations, neighborhoods, and towns.