Argrow’s House will host its 7th Annual Gala from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church, 1201 13th St., Moline.
Attendees will enjoy live music, food, and the virtual debut of Argrow’s new bath and body shop, small cafe, manufacturing hub, and a social innovation documentary that will include footage from the Argrow House of Healing, as well as other social enterprises in the Quad Cities. According to staff, the documentary is expected to have a screening later at the Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport.
During the gala, there will be a panel discussion of social enterprise leaders including Argrow’s House, Tapestry Farms, Nest Cafe, One Eighty, Transitions Mental Health, and Arc of the Quad Cities as well as survivor testimonials and more.
According to a news release from Argrow’s House, the aim is to raise enough funds to purchase a second Argrow’s residential home. This home will house women and children through the Argrow’s House Residential Program. The women will live rent-free in a safe and secure home for one year, during which time they will participate in free counseling, support groups, and financial literacy training, ultimately entering into a first-time homeowners program. When the women complete the residency, they’ll be positioned to purchase their own home.
Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope is a safe space where free services are offered daily for women healing from violence and abuse. Argrow’s House also is a bath and body social enterprise where women healing from abuse create beautiful products that provide a living wage for themselves in a safe space that celebrates who they are.
“We are so excited to throw a party celebrating the beauty, social enterprise work, and healing in the Argrow’s House community,” says Dr. Kit Ford, founder and director of Argrow’s House. “We also hope to raise significant funds in order to continue to provide trauma-informed holistic services to women survivors. This is incredibly important work and we invite the Quad City community to help support us…and have a great time while doing so.”
Over the past seven years, Argrow’s House has served hundreds of women and children healing from violence. In addition to its housing program, the organization has employed survivors, offered monthly domestic violence support groups, art therapy, food programs, therapeutic animal support and yoga, as well as opened a community and counseling center for survivors.
The work of Argrow’s House is ongoing and funds are needed. As one survivor said, “I felt trapped. Argrow’s House got me unstuck. They provide free resources, support, financial assistance…and an out.”
Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite or by visiting here. More information about the Argrow’s House Gala is available here.
