At 5 Sparrows Brand, our products help support your physical health goals, but we believe health is not just physical. Our mission is to help people find healing, stop just surviving, and finally start thriving. We empower people on their holistic journey toward better health and happiness. Part of that is the belief that true well-being includes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. We aim to do our part in helping others achieve that through the products we make and the profits we donate.

Every month, a portion of our profits go to domestic abuse support groups, like Refuge Ministries and women’s shelters in various regions of the country to help women, men, and families in crisis. We want to see a world where health and safety is accessible to everyone. We can’t think of anything sweeter than being a part of that.

About Refuge Ministries

Refuge Ministries of North America was founded over 10 years ago by an Assistant Pastor in Montana who saw a great need for a support group for women who have suffered from and are seeking healing from domestic violence.

Few support groups are available that provide a biblical understanding of God’s love for His people and hatred of oppression (abuse) to survivors of abuse. The Refuge meets weekly to provide times of sharing and the study of God’s Word through a curriculum developed by Shane Waldron.

Since its founding, Refuge Ministries has established six support groups from Pennsylvania to Alaska. Mentors in these groups minister to women as volunteers, sharing in their clients’ daily lives as they process their emotional, spiritual, and physical wounds.

In addition, Refuge Kids provides childcare by care providers using trauma-informed activities and Turning Point is a perpetrator’s intervention group.

“5 Sparrows Brand has provided important financial support to this national ministry to expand the reach of Refuge Ministries. The Refuge groups including Refuge Kids, The Refuge, and Turning Point were recently represented at a Peaceworks National Conference in West Virginia using these funds. In addition, there are plans for training in Central America as part of a mission agency work there.” - Kelly Dehnert, Refuge Ministries

October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

During DVAM, victim advocates, allied professionals, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, and the surrounding community come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence, celebrate the progress that has been made to end this epidemic, and connect with others working to create change.

It’s important to know that everyone can play a role in bringing about change. When we come together in a unified voice throughout October, it’s possible to raise the collective awareness about domestic violence to normalize this highly sensitive topic.

How You Can Help

Everyone can help raise awareness about domestic violence (and not just in October). Each of us has the power to make a difference. First, make sure you are informed. The more informed you stay on domestic violence, the easier it will be to recognize abuse when it happens and get or give help when it’s needed. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.” However, not all forms of abuse are violent.

“Something many people don’t realize is that domestic abuse refers to all kinds of abuse. This includes physical, emotional/psychological, sexual, financial and spiritual. In these cases, the abuser will employ psychological abuse tactics such as humiliation, guilt, gaslighting, intimidation, and dominance to manipulate the partner and cut off resources. It’s important to be educated so that you can recognize red flags. Many women will claim, “he never hits me.” Emotional abuse doesn’t leave outward marks and is easily hidden,” says Melanie Francis, 5 Sparrows CEO and Founder.

The National Domestic Violence Abuse Hotline has compiled in-depth statistics to help keep the community infomed. A few resources for emotional abuse include The Verbally Abusive Relationship, Shame Interrupted, Why Does He Do That? and The Emotionally Destructive Relationship.

If you need help now:

• Call 1.800.799.SAFE or text START to 88788 to connect with the Hotline
• Call or email Refuge Ministries 406-890-2168 or office@refugeministries.com
• Email Melanie at info@5sparrowsbrand.com

Domestic abuse is a national epidemic that has far-reaching implications. Together, we can create space for listening, healing and rebuilding. Stay tuned for the promo in our next newsletter that will support Refuge Ministries beyond our standard monthly donation.