2021 Thrive Drive: Turning Awareness into Action for the ION Center
Friends,
It’s been a year of ups and downs as we all fight to recover from the pandemic, but we still have so much to be thankful for. We started the Thrive Drive last year as a way to shift from the DV/IPV awareness activities of October into action—something concrete and meaningful we can do right now to make a difference for survivors.
As you’re probably aware, the lockdowns of 2020 were dangerous—and even deadly—for many whose homes were not a safe place. Instead of just hanging our heads in sadness, let’s support and celebrate the accomplishment of those who were able to break free from the cycle of violence and run toward help.
This year, we’re supporting Covington’s ION Center for Violence Prevention. Founded in 1976, the ION Center (known formerly as the Rape Crisis Center of Northern Kentucky and then the Women’s Crisis Center) provides services for survivors of gender- and power-based personal violence. The region they serve includes Northern Kentucky, Buffalo Trace, and Greater Cincinnati.
So what can you do to help? We’ll be collecting the following everyday supplies and holiday items between now and Monday, December 10. Any items you donate must be new and in the original package. We cannot accept used products. There’s no need to wrap the gifts; the ION Center staff will match gifts with kids and wrap them for us.
Special Holiday Requested Items
Hair dryers (FULFILLED! :-) )
Curling irons
Straightening irons
Craft kits
Art supplies
Disney Frozen toys
Paw Patrol toys
Remote control cars
General Shelter Items
Twin sheets and pillow cases
Twin blankets
Pillows
Bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths
Paper products (tissues, toilet paper, paper towels)
Umbrellas
Craft items
Powder laundry detergent
Hair care (brushes, combs, hair ties, hair spray, etc.)
Socks and underwear (all sizes, all ages, all genders)
Bras/sports bras
Baby wipes
Diapers (all sizes)
Feminine hygiene products
Non-perishable food items
Individually wrapped snacks
Juice boxes
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, lotion, etc.)
Liquid hand soap
Household cleaning supplies (bleach, disinfectant spray, bathroom cleaner, etc.)
Gift cards (Kroger, Walmart, Amazon, Target, etc.)
Gas cards
As a thank you for helping us to give the ION Center residents a happier holiday, everyone who donates will be entered into a raffle for a Thrive gift basket (including merch and a 5-class pass!) and a Lumin Massage gift certificate.
You can drop your donations off at Thrive, contact us for a porch pickup (Cinci/NKY only), or Venmo us cash (with a note that it’s for the drive) and we’ll do the shopping for you.
Thank you so much!
—Lindsey & Lauren
A Letter to the Men Who Didn’t Abuse Me
To the men who are constant reminders that abusers are just that, abusers. There are good men in this world.
I could write this entire blog post to the men who have done critical damage to me in my life. But I will not let them have that power.
First to my husband, who has literally seen me at my worst. I have been my ugliest self to you and you love through that filth. Quoting my vows, because they are just as relevant now as they were then: "Every day you make it a priority to build me up. Every day you changed my mind that a man can be faithful and love without conditions. You have never made me question if I was worthy of your love. You support my dreams and passions no matter how many times I've changed my mind."
To my father-in-law: You once tried to tell me how to fix my car and I snapped at you. At the time, I didn't understand that's what being a dad is about; you weren't trying to make me feel small or incapable. All the dad advice. You are the “world's greatest dad,” like the mug says. Hearing stories from your son about you two working on cars and building things together just proves my point. You talk about your kids like they are the greatest things this world produced. The 8-year-old little girl inside of me longs for that. You are such a fantastic example of what a father is supposed to be, an example I so desperately needed. You are a man of few words, but they are all the right ones.
To my coach: I walked into the gym last week and you came over to show me something you were so proud of. You had painted your ring fingernail purple to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And you said, "I don't support choking women unless they slap-bump first."**
No one told you to do that. You are a tatted BJJ coach with a mohawk, who spends most of his time putting ripped bros in high-low chokes. But you painted your nail. To support women—no, to support me. I pay you to teach me jiu-jitsu; all you have to do is show up and teach. But you don't. You go above and beyond. You make sure to reiterate every day that I am strong and capable of using my body to defend myself. Like a brother, you notice the bad days—without any ulterior motives, you notice. Every time I step on that mat, you respect me like a human and you make me believe that I matter.
You all owe me nothing, yet you continue to pick up the pieces.
Thank you for being beautiful beams of light in such a dark world.
—Lindsey Ross
**A slap-bump is how training partners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu communicate to each other that they are ready to spar. It’s a sign of mutual respect and consent.
Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas from Pexels