Local nonprofit hosts 'Denim & Desserts' fundraiser amid looming federal funding cuts
As the landscape for victim services faces a volatile financial future, local nonprofit Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence is turning to the community for support.
HOLLAND — As the landscape for victim services faces a volatile financial future, local nonprofit Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence is turning to the community for support.
The organization will host its fourth annual Denim & Desserts fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Macatawa Legends.
The event, held during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, arrives at a pivotal moment. Resilience leadership anticipates significant reductions in long-standing state and federal funding — subsidies that have historically ensured their suite of crisis services remains free of charge for residents in Ottawa and Allegan counties.
The evening’s dress code carries a weightier message than typical gala attire. Guests are encouraged to wear denim as a tribute to a 1990s international movement sparked when a rape conviction was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court.
The court had ruled that because the victim wore tight jeans, she must have assisted in their removal, implying consent. Since then, denim has served as a global symbol of solidarity with survivors and a protest against victim-blaming.
The program aims to bridge the gap between abstract advocacy and real-world recovery. Attendees will hear from Katie Weatherwax, a survivor whose personal journey came full circle — moving from a client receiving Resilience’s support to a staff member now providing that same advocacy to others.
The evening will be emceed by Jim Babcock, a 35-year veteran of the Walt Disney Co. and a well-known host in West Michigan.
Resilience operates as a 501c3 nonprofit, providing a comprehensive safety net that includes a 24/7 emergency help line, a safe shelter for those fleeing domestic abuse, sexual assault forensic exams (SAFE) and legal advocacy and therapeutic services for both adults and children.
All proceeds from the evening will directly support those services, the organization said.
The event will feature live auctions, raffles and a curated selection of food and drinks.
- When: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, April 16
- Where: Macatawa Legends, 4600 Macatawa Legends Blvd., Holland
- Admission: Tickets are $100 (inclusive of food and beverages)
- Registration: Available at ResilienceMI.org/events
More information can be found at @ResilienceMI on social media.
— Submitted by Resilience. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
