Dear Friend,

October is a big month at Bethany House, and so much has happened already! We are sending a huge THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered for or attended the Unveiling of the 2022 Northwest Ohio Silent Witness Project. Special thanks go to Tressa Johnson for her moving speech and the Toledo Lucas County Public Library for hosting. The silhouettes, unveiled one by one as each story is read aloud, reveal the stunning reality of the extent of domestic violence in our region. Together, we remember their names.

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we hope you will find one way to make an impact for family safety. There is a way for everyone to help.

• If you have income to spare, consider making a financial donation to further the mission of Bethany House or place an order on our Amazon Wish List.
• If you have time to spare, reach out to our volunteer coordinator to learn about ways you can contribute to Bethany House with your time. You can reach her at Volunteer@BethanyHouseToledo.org.  
• If you have a voice to share, reach out to your state legislators and speak with them about the importance of prioritizing survivors of domestic violence in policy development. Ohio recently became the last remaining state in the nation to fail to make strangulation a felony. Because we know abusers who strangle are more likely kill, raising strangulation to a felony offense would give survivors more time to access safety once a charge has been made. 

On behalf of Bethany House Staff, Board, and Volunteers,
Thank you for your faith in Bethany House and survivors of domestic violence.

Deidra Lashley                   
Executive Director