Loveland nonprofit, Alternatives to Violence to host Purple Ribbon Breakfast April 25

Alternatives to Violence, ATV, is hosting its annual Purple Ribbon Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 25 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Hotel, Conference Center and Spa, 4705 Clydesdale Park in Loveland.

The nonprofit provides shelter, advocacy, education and resources to people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

Along with raising awareness about these issues, the event serves as a way to raise money for the organization.

“Funds raised are primarily used to maintain our safehouse and for general operations,” explained Rose Marie Massaro, ATV Communications and Development manager.

Alternatives to Violence was originally founded in 1982 by Roxie Ellis and Pam Higgins as the Loveland Battered Women's Task Force. The organization offered services such as a support group for abused women in Loveland and education about domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault. Over its first year, the nonprofit assisted 10 families in escaping violence.

In 1988, the organization received a $242,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which they used to purchase a house that was converted into separate apartments. Named the Transitional Learning Center, the dorm-style building was the first of its kind in Colorado.

Fast-forward to 2016, Alternatives to Violence was able to purchase its first safe house, featuring eight rooms with 22 beds.

“Our safe house was at a 100% occupancy in 2022,” Massaro said.

To date, the organization has assisted over 1,600 clients with advocacy, resources and education, helping give people a path to recovery, healing and independence away from fear and abuse.

In 2022 ATV opened the Renew Boutique that provides residential clients of all ages with clothing, shoes and other essential items at no cost.

“We set it up boutique style to give our clients a sense of normalcy. They have that opportunity to just browse through the boutique to get anything they want,” Massaro said. “The boutique serves two main purposes. Most of them come to our doorstep with just items they may have just grabbed and when they are ready to leave our safehouse, they may need a nice outfit for a job interview.”

While the organization primarily serves Loveland and southern Larimer County, they do work with local northern Colorado nonprofits such as A Woman's Place in Greeley as well as the Crossroads Safehouse and Realities for Children out of Fort Collins to help provide services and resources to people in need.

The Purple Ribbon Breakfast will feature guest speakers Angela Rae Clark, a human trafficking survivor leader and author, and Vicky Paul-Bryant, a domestic violence advocate and survivor as well as co-founder of the popular Pastels on 5th event in Loveland. Pastels on 5th is also a fundraiser for Alternatives for Violence.

“A lot of people know Vicky as the co-founder of Pastels on 5th but they don't know her backstory. They don't know that the reason she started that event is because she is a domestic violence survivor herself,” Massaro said. “I think it will sort of help people connect the dots as to why she founded that event, which honestly is our biggest fundraiser.”

While the topics of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking are not often openly discussed, organizers of the program hope to illustrate how critical these issues are and highlight the resources available to those in need in the northern Colorado area.

“We hope attendees leave the event inspired to take action and foster a community-wide response to help victims of abuse,” said Executive Director of Alternatives to Violence, Kari Clark. “This event is an opportunity to address an important issue that often remains not talked about, but talking about it is an important step in building community support and showing victims that help is accessible and available.”

The boutique is especially in need of children's clothing and shoes for boys and girls in sizes from infant up to pre-teens.

Sponsors for this year's event include Plante Moran, Bank of Colorado, Sater Tools and Services, James Zack Consulting, Thrivent, The Group and Realities for Children.

The free event is open to adults age 18 and older and registration is required. To register for the Purple Ribbon Breakfast, go to http://bit.ly/3K9MHt4.

Tables are still available for $1,000 as well as sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorships include recognition on in-person and online promotions.

Organizations and businesses interested in table host or sponsorship opportunities can contact Rose Marie Massaro at (970) 669-5150, extension 124 or by email at [email protected].

The organization provides a variety of different ways to support the nonprofit. People can link their King Soopers Loyalty Card to the organization, donate to the endowment fund or through an IRA as well as drop off much needed wish list items such as cleaning supplies, hygiene products, clothing for adults and children and other items.

To see a complete list of ways to donate to Alternatives to Violence, go to http://bit.ly/3Mb3EWC.

To learn more about Alternatives to Violence, including volunteer opportunities and resources, go to www.alternativestoviolence.org.