USPS Publication Number 16300
T h is C o m mu n i t y N ewsp a p er is a pu bl ica t ion of E sca m bia-S a n t a Rosa B a r Assoc ia t ion
Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icial Ci rcu it
Section A, Page 1
Vol. 19, No. 41
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October 16, 2019
1 Section, 8 Pages
FavorHouse of Northwest Florida hosts Faces of Domestic Violence Benefit
Having survived and left an abusive relationship of her own, Meuse knows firsthand the importance of an organization like FavorHouse.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month— a time to honor survivors, remember victims, bring awareness to the issue and advocate for safe spaces and legal remedies for those effected. To that end, FavorHouse of Northwest Florida spends every month of the year working on their mission to make sure victims become survivors and their goal of eradicating violence from intimate relationships. FavorHouse works toward this goal by offering shelter, tutoring, support groups, counseling, access to attorneys and advocacy to those attempting to leave an abusive situation. All services are offered at no charge and the organization is funded by grants and donations. In that spirit, FavorHouse is hosting a unique fundraiser for their shelter programs that support domestic violence survivors in creating a bridge to their new beginnings. Featuring American Idol finalists and domestic violence survivors Wade Cota and Jess Meuse, the event concludes the organization’s 40-40-40 campaign, a 40-day initiative with the goal to raise $40,000 in honor of the commencement of the nonprofit’s 40th year. The initiative also
features a silent auction, which began at the September kick-off event and will run online through the end of October. FavorHouse president Sue Hand is very excited about the choice of performers for the event. “Wade and Jess are both survivors,” Hand said. “And, I think it’s truly important that people understand that these people are survivors of domestic violence in their personal lives and they have grown and gone on to be successful. It allows people to understand that with support—emotionally, physically and mentally—survivors can blossom and have great careers and a good life.” The fundraiser and concert will be held at the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on Saturday, Oct. 26. General Admission tickets are on sale for $40. VIP tables, seating eight guests, are available for $1,000. VIP tables include a formal, plated dinner, as well as a short, private show and a meetand-greet with performers. Jess Meuse Jess Meuse is a musician from Slapout, Alabama who has performed for audiences since she was 10-years-old. At age 20, the singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist and classically-trained violinist won Stars of Alabama, a statewide artist showcase. In 2012, Meuse was featured on season three of NBC’s The Voice. The following year, she performed on the Vans Warped Tour stage. Later, Meuse secured a spot as a top four national finalist on American Idol, judged by Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. During the American Idol finals, Meuse made history by becoming the first artist to perform their own original song. She went on join the Idols LIVE Tour, performing in 40plus cities across the USA and Canada.
“I know how years of mental, emotional and physical abusive can wear you down,” Meuse said. “You truly come to a point where you feel useless. I know that’s where I went.” Fortunately for Meuse, she found the strength to leave the relationship before she married her abuser. “I think what really made me shift and to understand that I had to leave him was the realization that he would not be a good father if I ever decided I wanted to have a family,” Meuse said. “I also realized that if he is not going to be a good father, he is not going to be a good partner either.” Meuse is excited to support the efforts of FavorHouse and lend her voice to those who need a hand. “I think it’s awesome that I get to take such a crappy experience and do something good with it. It almost gives a purpose to going through hell,” she said. Wade Cota Wade Cota is a singer/songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona. A childhood domestic violence survivor, Cota captured the hearts of audiences across America during his audition for American Idol in its most recent season. He went on to become a top four finalist on the show. Before his rise to fame on Idol, Cota performed at all of Arizona’s major venues as the front man of his band Sugar Water. Cota is looking forward to helping FavorHouse with their mission and sees the opportunity as a great way to give back. “FavorHouse heard my story on American Idol and they reached out to me,” Cota said. “Before American Idol, I had never really talked about my past, even to a lot of my very close friends. I am a product of domestic violence. My family and I have been through a lot, so when FavorHouse talked to me about their cause and how they are trying to help women and
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kids who are growing up like I did, it was no brainer. I had to do it. I wish I could give back more.” FavorHouse began in June 1979, when the Spouse Abuse Task Force became the Favor (Family Anti-Violence in Organized Response) House Advisory Council, a program of the YWCA. During that year, funding became available from the Marriage License Trust Fund and FavorHouse was the designated program recipient for funds in District I. Because of growth and expanded services, the YWCA felt it could not accept the responsibility of a growing program. Consequently in 1980, the FavorHouse Advisory Council became independent of the YWCA and incorporated as FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc., and a Florida not-forprofit corporation. Since 1980, the agency has relocated the shelter twice, each time adding more beds and more rooms. An expansive project, which included four bedrooms and two baths, was completed in March 1999. The Escambia emergency shelter capacity is 50 beds with a children’s playroom and a children’s counseling room. In 2001, FavorHouse added a shelter for Santa Rosa County. The facility was certified as a 21bed shelter. For more information about FavorHouse or to purchase tickets, visit favorhouse.org.
FACES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BENEFIT SHOW FEATURING JESS MEUSE & WADE COTA Saturday, Oct. 26 Jean & Paul Amos Studios 1000 Collee Blvd. Doors Open 6:30 PM Show Starts at 7 PM General Admission $40 VIP Table + Dinner $1,000
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