Last Monday, November 9, Fix the Hurt and Bravery Project partnered to bring a special community event, Evening of the Arts, at the beautiful Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Enjoying the cash bar, live classical piano, and elegant atmosphere, this event was met with wide-spread approval and praise. Most surveyed participants felt that both forms of art were effective in teaching about domestic violence and encouraged them to get involved. Results were also positive with donations, silent auction, and raffle sales comprising of 50% of the total evening’s revenues with requests for an event next year.

Reaching out to young people with the message of hope and recovery was accomplished with participants from Big Brother /Big Sister and Boys and Girls Club boys and girls that attended the event and had a “really good time.” The food was delicious, the performance outstanding, and the audience impressed—so impressed that one woman made the decision to leave her abusive relationship.

Bravery Project didn’t quite meet the goals of three $1,000 scholarships, but did raise enough for two of them, up $500 from last year. Fix the Hurt managed to raise enough to begin the process of producing a new teen dating violence musical, I Have This Friend, for the high school kids with their portion of the proceeds, which will go toward music composition and scripting.

Over all, in a short order, Evening of the Arts was a success and both organizations plan to do it again next year. Possibly with an event on the West and East side of the valley with more at-risk youth attending. We hope to see you there next time!