Feb. 26 – Darlene Thomas, Executive Director, GreenHouse17

Since December 2004, Darlene Thomas has served as the Founder and Executive Director of GreenHouse17, an advocacy organization working to end intimate partner abuse across seventeen central Kentucky counties. With more than thirty-six years of experience in the movement to end power-based violence, Darlene has led efforts in direct service, comprehensive program development, and community engagement for lasting social change.

Her leadership includes guiding statewide and national collaborations, offering expert testimony in legal cases, facilitating trainings at local, state, national, and international forums, and consulting with organizations seeking to reimagine their services through innovative, trauma-informed approaches.

Under her direction, GreenHouse17 has received multiple awards for innovation and impact, including the Commerce Lexington Nonprofit Community Impact Award, the National Purple Ribbon Award for Shelter of the Year, the Theresa Mary Byron Foundation Celebrating Solutions Award, the Kentucky Nonprofit Network Innovative Award, and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence Pyramid Award for Social Innovation. GreenHouse17 was also named a national finalist by the Partnership for Freedom/Reimagine Opportunity initiative.

Darlene currently serves as Past-President and Legislative Chair for ZeroV, Kentucky’s coalition against domestic violence.

GreenHouse17’s specially trained advocates are available to help people harmed by intimate partner abuse any time of the day, every day of the year. Its main facility is situated on a beautiful forty-acre property in rural Fayette County. From this location and two additional offices in our service area, it can provide these crisis intervention and stabilization services.

• 24-hour hotline (800-544-2022)
• emergency shelter
• safety planning 
• legal advocacy
• children’s safe exchange and visitation
• individual and group support
• medical and dental treatment
• budget and credit counseling
• supportive housing services
• transportation assistance

Formerly known as the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program, the name “GreenHouse17 was adopted in 2013. In explaining the change, it was noted that “new Our new name and brand image are a truer representation of the principles that guide us and our passionate commitment to the mission to end intimate partner violence. Just as the protection of a greenhouse nurtures plants so they grow healthy and strong, GreenHouse17 nurtures human beings, helping them grow, flourish and leave the trauma of abuse behind them.”

Rotary in Review

GREENHOUSE17 TURNS COMPASSION INTO ACTION

Following her surprise receipt of the Rotary Humanitarian Award (see the related story in today’s Wheel Horse), Rotarians heard from Darlene Thomas, Executive Director of GreenHouse17. GreenHouse17 is a nationally recognized organization serving survivors of intimate partner abuse across Central Kentucky.

Darlene’s remarks demonstrated not only what she does at GreenHouse17 but who she is. Early in her presentation she noted that “1nobody gets lifted up until you allow yourself to be lifted up by those individuals who support you.” She graciously attributes the success at GreenHouse17 to those in our community who saw the need for a domestic violence program to protect survivors and their children. During her tenure she has never lost focus on the need to eliminate the shame they felt. She built a community on a forty-acre farm where the survivors did not feel the need to hide but a place where they and their children could be SEEN and protected. They annually serve over 6,000 adults and children from 17 counties. On the farm, unlike traditional shelters, life can be productive and even fun for the children. This work is in addition to the traditional needs of trying to resolve issues in abuse situations: court proceedings, visitation, and providing exchange centers for children. Darlene referred to these as the “service gap”. All of these services are part of the healing process.

GreenHouse17 stands alone as the only domestic violence shelter of its kind in the nation. Their process is to move these survivors from crisis to self-sufficiency but not in a traditional way. They have started their own industries, they grow food, started a flower CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and body products (soaps and lip balm). All of the proceeds received go back to the survivors. Each “worker” earns a $600 stipend that is “matched” by $900 so they have a bankroll to help move forward in their lives and the knowledge that they are providing value to the community.

Darlene related a transformative moment in her life when she witnessed an abusive incident when she was twelve years of age. That is when she learned that we can all stand up for those who are more vulnerable. Her philosophy about transforming survivors is tied to sense of community. It is her firm belief that every interaction has an impact. Survivors are always reaching out for help (think interaction) and it is up to us to be certain that interaction has a positive impact.

– Jim Richardson