ROSE Advocates Dinner benefits clients

A local resource for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and at the start of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, ROSE Advocates’ 25th annual benefit dinner is set for this coming Monday, Oct. 2, at Weiser’s Vendome Events Center.

 The doors will open at 6 p.m. for a no-host cocktail hour that includes drinks and time to bid on auction and raffle items, plus there will be door prizes. The $35 per person prime rib of pork dinner, prepared by Weiser’s Cookshack will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door or reservations may be made by calling (208) 414-1231.

 The fundraiser’s outreach stretches even farther with the meat being donated by Falls Brand Independent Meat Company.

 “This is one of our main fundraisers for the year,” executive director Veronica Vasquez told the Signal American. “The dinner is a community event, and all of the proceeds go directly to support victims of domestic and sexual violence.

 “The funds go to victims’ services, which includes purchasing medications, certified copies of birth certificates, food, personal hygiene products, and many other items that cannot be purchased with food stamps or other means,” she added.

 Vasquez said in addition to local fundraisers, the nonprofit receives federal funding through a grant from Idaho Council  on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance.

 “The funds are the same as last year, as there were no increases due to federal monies being on hold,” she said. 

 “We continue to seek federal funding from other grants available to assist clients with their needs, and have some out that we are waiting to hear the outcome.”

 Vasquez said a number of changes in social trends have added layers to the number of ways victims can find themselves in abusive situations.

 “We are seeing more on social media, but people are not speaking up and are afraid to get involved,” Vasquez said. “We are seeing more cyberstalking and cyberbullying, due to social media...it’s harder to identify people who are harassing and stalking others due to the web accounts they can use.

 “Each year the number of people we serve is increasing,” she added. “I believe more people are aware of our services and how we can assist in their time of need.

 “We aren’t a hidden agency anymore, so we are helping more clients and offering more services in the five rural areas that we service,” Vasquez said.