Prevail of Hamilton County will host its 2015 Signature Gala Aug. 27 at the Renaissance Hotel in Carmel.
The nonprofit organization exists to educate and engage county residents about domestic abuse and helps to restore the lives of those affected and their families.
The funds raised go toward assisting clients, and a fundraising goal has been set at $150,000. In 2015, the gala raised $147,000 for Prevail’s programs that served more than 2,500 victims of crime and abuse.
“Prevail is unique in that we offer services to all victims of violent crime and abuse, including men, women, teens and children,” said Natasha Robinson, Prevail public relations coordinator. “Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, is a large portion of what we see, but we also work with a growing number of sexual assault victims, identity theft, bank robbery, human trafficking, elderly abuse, secondary victims of murder and more.”
Prevail offers guided support groups so clients can work with other victims who have been through the same situations to learn what their triggers are, how to deal with those triggers in a healthy way, and how to take care of themselves.
There’s also court support, which includes an advocate that helps victims navigate their court cases. They also have an advocate that works on financial planning, job skills and résumé building.
Robinson said one of Prevail’s most unique programs is a Secondary Victim Support Group. It is for non-offending parents of children or teens who have been sexually assaulted. Parents can come and work together on some of the same healthy, coping skills and self-care techniques their children are learning. They can then continue to work together at home on overcoming the tragic circumstance that brought them to Prevail.
“We have had victims come from all over the state of Indiana to participate in this program, since we are the only agency currently offering this support service,” Robinson said.
The gala is presented by Hare Chevrolet. A cocktail hour supported by Sun King Brewery, and a silent auction will kick off the event from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Seating for dinner begins at 7:15 p.m., and the program and live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by celebration and dancing to The Bishops from 8:30 to 11 p.m.
“Our goal is to move our clients from victim to survivor and then on to be a thriver,” Robinson said. “As of 2016, we have also been working heavily toward the goal of prevention. This means working with our communities to educate them on what it means to be healthy so that incidences of violence become less and less frequent. Ultimately, our big goal is to put ourselves out of business because the community will be safe and will no longer need victim support services.”
Tickets are $125 per person and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may be made at by calling 317-773-6942 or by visiting prevailinc.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Prevail office at 1100 S. Ninth St., Suite 100, Noblesville.
