As October ushers in Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we pause to refocus on what's going on around us in our neighborhoods, workplaces & circles.
GET IN THE GAME TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Did you know?

It does not matter if there are no physical injuries: abuse is abuse.


Emotional abuse has longer-lasting, more devastating effects than most physical abuse.

Partner abuse is a progressive disease, like alcoholism, and can be fatal.

Children who grow up where partner abuse exists are twice more likely to abuse or be abused by others.

Children who witness or are actively involved with domestic violence may suffer DNA damage, leading to the loss of ~10 years from their normal life span.
With one in three Texas women experiencing domestic abuse, almost all of us will know someone in our circles who is in the middle of the trauma. 

One of the most surprising things I've learned during my years of working with abused and abusive individuals is that quite often they don't recognize abuse for what it is. 

When discussing their circumstances, they become defensive. 


 

"He didn't actually hit me, he just put his fist through the wall." 

 

"He just has a really bad temper when he's mad." 

 

"I just grabbed her by the arms to get her attention, you know, to let her know I was serious." 

 

"I warned her not to tick me off." 

 

"I know I sometimes 'push his buttons'... so that's my fault."
And a personal favorite, 

"She bruises easily."

When a woman finally and courageously decides to end the cycles of abuse, trauma increases because violence escalates when she takes this step. That's why we've chosen this month to share why legal representation is crucial to healing and becoming self-supportive.  

As we develop our strategy for securing family lawyers to contribute hours toward just one case annually, we ask for you to think of who you know that can help.  Contact us  with your thoughts, and we'll respond.

Domestic violence can be prevented through education and practical support for the victims. Thank you for helping to provide for those women at The Gatehouse who have courageously determined to end the abuse cycle for themselves and their children.
 
Here's how you can get in the game: care, share and be there. Read how here. 

NEED FOR LEGAL AID
Lawyers needed for one case a year
The Gatehouse needs family lawyers who would agree to help one survivor annually with an uncontested divorce, and no more than 10 hours pro bono. Email us if you're interested. 
OCT 23: GET IN THE GAME AT AT&T STADIUM
Buy tickets, preview auction for Oct. 23 Get in the Game

Click to preview our incredible live, silent auction items.
Get in the Game  Monday, Oct. 23 at AT&T Stadium where proceeds from the luncheon and silent auction will support The Gatehouse's 182 women and children, as well as new families joining in 2018. 

NFL Analyst and former Dallas Cowboy Babe Laufenberg will mine wisdom on leadership and perseverance during the keynote message from three Super Bowl greats: Roger Staubach, Bob Lilly and Drew Pearson. NBC 5's Deborah Ferguson will emcee. 

Consider a sponsorship - we'd like to host 1,000 people passionate about making a lasting difference in the lives of women and kids ready to work toward permanent, positive change. Buy your ticket/table today!
GATEHOUSE ROUNDUP
Join us for Oct. 3 Domestic Violence Workshop 

Join The Gatehouse and KCBI 90.9 FM as Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins, and discover how you can be an integral part of breaking cycles of abuse. KCBI will share about their Break the Silence Sunday initiative and how you and your church can make a difference. Gatehouse's Executive Director Deborah Lyons will also host her Domestic Violence Workshop, where you can learn how to identify and assist women you think may be in an abusive relationship. RSVP & join us 9:30-11am Tuesday, Oct. 3 in The Gatehouse Event Center. GH tours available after.
Construction underway for early learning academy

Construction of The Gatehouse's Early Learning Childcare Academy is underway and on track to be complete in spring 2018. Nearly 70 percent of the $4.5 million building goal has been reached. Naming opportunities still available. Contact us for more info and to support the academy.
Nov. 2:  Turn Conflict into Cooperation with  Cynthia Tobias

Cynthia Tobias will share valuable insights into how the hearts and minds of even the strongest-willed person can be turned from angry conflict to voluntary cooperation. Learn how to avoid confrontation, anger and emotional outbursts by using simple and practical techniques. Whether you are struggling with a strong-willed child, spouse, boss or co-worker, you'll walk away with hope and enthusiasm that brings out the best in both of you. Buy tickets for her talk at 9am Thursday, Nov. 2 at The Gatehouse Event Center. Proceeds are used to supply an apartment for the next Gatehouse family.
Join the Gatehouse Young Professionals

The next Happy Hour will be 5:30-6:30pm Friday, Oct. 6 at Iron Cactus in Dallas (1520 Main St.). Come meet Gatehouse Young Professionals members, as well as non-members interested in GYP, and b ring a friend. The group consists of leaders in DFW who have a desire to raise awareness and serve passionately women and children in crisis discovering new paths for permanent change.
Bring a bag of candy for The Gatehouse's Trunk or Treat Halloween event and you get a free drink!
You raised $89,000+ for families, apartments

You raised $89,440 for Gatehouse women and children during North Texas Giving Day on Sept. 14! Your generosity will support families during their journey in the Independent Life Program, as well as supply/stock nearly seven apartments. This year's 18-hour North Texas giving day raised $39 million via 132,000 gifts benefiting 2,723 area nonprofits, including relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey aftermath.
Gatehouse volunteer named 2017 Shining Star

The Gatehouse was proud to honor  Pam G. as the 2017 Shining Star at the  Arts Council Northeast Sept. 22 Luncheon. Pam has been a volunteer since the The Gatehouse & Independent Life Program launched three years ago. She is a regular front desk volunteer, hosts art journaling each month for the members and fills in other roles as needed.  Thank you for volunteering with us, Pam!
FW Inc. features GH staff, community in  'Giving Back'

The September/October issue of FW Inc. features how business involvement and support impacts our supportive living community. Click here and flip to Page 58 to read the digital magazine feature. "Women are graduating. Children are being healed. People know who we are. We view this as a prototype. Within five years, we'll have the stats we need to present a global picture on outcomes. We believe it will be a pretty picture," says Deborah Lyons, Gatehouse executive director.
SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to new, continuing partners
Allstate Foundation  //  Ann Taylor  //  Apex Surface Care  //  Boy Scouts from across North Texas  //  Brand Agent  //  Charles Schwab  //  Chris Machold  //  Corinthian Wellness Spa  //  Dallas Cowboys Women's Association & the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation  //  Edelman  //  First Baptist Grapevine  //  Gary Patterson Foundation  //  Holloway Family Foundation  //  HR Circle members  //  Jimmy Evans, MarriageToday  //  Kay Duggan, Get in the Game Chair chairperson  //  KCBI 90.9FM  //  Kendra Scott, Southlake  //  Reach for the Stars Nursing Scholarship Program  //  Robyn Ruth Memorial Golf Tournament  //  Sharkey's Cuts for Kids, Southlake  //  Steinbrecher and Associates  //  Steve Burke, Living Word Lutheran Church  //  Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Service  //  Vistage
ELCA Capital Campaign Supporters
Elaine Agather  //  Ash Grove Cement Company  //  Ron Chase  //  Amon G. Carter Foundation  //  G96 Men  //  John & Nancy Fegan  //  Mark Fisher  //  Gradus  //  Jim & Barbara Lentz  //  The J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation  //  Judi McQueary  //  The Miles Foundation  //   Clifton H. Morris & Sheridan C. Morris Foundation  //  The Morris Foundation  //  Paticum Foundation  //  Patricia & Randall Ptaszinik  //   R4 Foundation  //  The Rees-Jones Foundation  //  Rose Family Foundation  //  Michaela & Bryce Ruiz  //  The Thomas M., Helen McKee & John P. Ryan Foundation  //  Alden Sandler  //  Christine & Jim Snead  //  Tabletops Southlake  //  Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
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The Gatehouse is a supportive living community, located on 61 acres in the D/FW Metroplex, where women and children in crisis receive ample time, safe refuge, practical resources and healthy relationships to break cycles of abuse and poverty, and discover new paths for permanent change.