By: Lauren Siebert
Safe Night Ministries will hold a community education event on domestic violence Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon at Abundant Life Church in Cherokee Village .
“It is a community education for the general public, for anyone that has known of or has been close to a victim and would like to see change in our community concerning domestic violence,” said Organizer Karen Bagwell.
Bagwell noted the event is also open to victims or survivors who would like to participate.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. with an introduction to Safe Night Ministries along with mission and vision by Bagwell, also the founder of Safe Night Ministries.
“The education focuses on what our community can do to help, information on our ministry and two survivors plan to speak on their experiences,” Bagwell said. “We are also offering a segment on dating and teen violence education.”
Domestic Violence Activist Laura Abbot who was instrumental in the passing of legislation of Laura’s Card will share her story and how communities can help victims.
Other speakers include Lisa Russell who will share her story, a presentation by Clinical Social Worker and Therapist Keren Levenbach on teen/date violence and a presentation on healing through scripture by Iretha Orrick will also take place.
A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.
“We hope to gain both support and awareness. We will also have a booth set up with information on our support groups and our outreach office available,” Bagwell said.
In addition to the seminar, the ministry will also be holding a month-long fundraiser as October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Safe Night Ministries is a faith-based ministry dedicated to reaching out to and protecting domestic violence victims and survivors, while empowering them to move forward into a safe and healthy lifestyle free of abuse. We would like to invite our community churches and businesses to participate in this fundraising campaign. We will begin in October as October is domestic violence prevention month,” Bagwell said. “Those interested in participating will have the purse for a month to fill it with any donation (change, cash or check).These funds will allow us to continue our current services and support for domestic violence victims and survivors, and to expand, eventually into a Women’s Shelter. If you feel your church or business would be interested in helping with this much needed ministry”
For more information, contact: Karen Bagwell:870-847-4338: Iretha Orrick:870-291-3161: Deanna Kissee:870-710-8382 or Kasy Cates:870-751-0679.
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current membership chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.