Submitted
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, serving northwest Kansas, is hosting two ceremonies to honor survivors of abuse.
“Options has chosen the symbols of the iris and the garden to bring hope and healing to survivors of domestic and sexual violence,” Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director, said.
The events are a sharing of a caring thought, a story of solidarity or a prayer of hope and healing written on the back of a paper iris. There is no cost to the event. It is meant as a way for the community to connect with those who are on a journey to heal.
The irises may be picked up at 2716 Plaza Ave., Hays, or may be submitted on the web page at help4abuse.org.
The share, care, prayer cards will be displayed as a paper garden at each event.
There will be a short ceremony and then an opportunity to walk among the paper garden to read the thoughts shared for the benefit of survivors.
The Hays event will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at 215 W. 13th St., which is the vacant lot to the east of St. Joseph church.
The Colby event will be 4 p.m. Wednesday at 1480 W. Fourth St. on the lawn of the Colby Options office.
“A gardener will plant where there are no signs of life. And yet, the gardener knows that in the spring, there will be life, color and joy bursting from their plantings.” Hecker said.
“Survivors of domestic and sexual violence are the gardeners of their own lives. They use the tools available to them and tend their personal gardens in the darkest times, hoping for a bright harvest of healing. That is why Options has chosen the symbols of the iris and the garden to bring hope to survivors.”