Night of fashion and compassion benefits A Safe Place

On Friday, July 15, more than 250 attendees glammed up for “Wine Women & Shoes” to support A Safe Place’s mission to end domestic violence and human trafficking in Lake County.

The evening featured a multi-designer marketplace of shoes, jewelry, sleep wellness and more; wine tasting by six vintners; a silent and live auction featuring lavish trips and experiences; and, for the first time, a fashion show put on by clients that A Safe Place serves.

In all, $174,000 was raised for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking and their families.

A Safe Place is the sole provider of services exclusively focusing on domestic violence and human trafficking victims in Lake County.

Through multifaceted programs and services, A Safe Place assists victims and their families in transforming their lives and preventing future abuse by addressing its root cause through abuser intervention programs. It also educates the community about domestic violence and human trafficking.

“‘Wine Women & Shoes’ is more than just an event,” said Pat Davenport, chief executive officer of A Safe Place. “It empowers women, broadens our community’s awareness of our work, helps our guests engage in our work, and is tremendously impactful for all.”

After the shopping ended and guests sat down to learn more about the mission, Davenport announced that one in three women and one in seven men in the country are the victims of serious physical violence at the hands of intimate partners.

A survivor who received A Safe Place services told her story and spoke on how A Safe Place helped her provide safety and comfort for her son.

“From fear to FIERCE” was the theme of the night and was highlighted by the survivor fashion show, where seven survivors who have received services from A Safe Place strutted their confidence, bravery, and beauty down the runway.

“Walking on the runway was a complete circle experience for me,” said Dawn Smith, a survivor and committee member at this year’s event.

“For so long after getting out of an abusive marriage, I was embarrassed to talk about it. People looked at me like I did wrong. The runway gave me the gift of letting everyone know that I am a survivor. I am here, and I am going to help others.”

The survivor fashion show highlighted survivors from multiple programs that A Safe Place offers. Each model donned a dress that she picked out, further showing A Safe Place’s commitment to the power of choice for survivors.

“Together that night, we as a group, got that message out,” Smith said. “We are fierce. We are survivors.”

Sponsors of the event included Medline, ALLSTAFF, Autohaus on Edens, Deb Leibow, North Shore Gas, Christy and Corey Noland, Cycle Logistics, WIPFLI, Uline, Steve and Barbara Anderson, PEER Chain, Dennis & Dawn Smith, Waukegan Police Department, Karen Szymanski, State Bank of the Lakes, TASK Insurance, Weiss-Kunz & Oliver LLC, and Legacy Wealth.

“Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests for making our sixth annual event a great success,” Davenport said. “With your help, lives are transformed and saved.”

Anyone interested in being a part of the planning committee for next year’s event can contact Mallory Kolodziej at mkolodziej@asafeplaceforhelp.org or (847) 731-7165, ext. 1006.