Every year the Golden House hosts the “Show of Strength” event to benefit victims of domestic violence

DE PERE (WLUK) — Community members gathered Thursday evening to make a difference for victims of domestic violence.

The Golden House, a domestic violence program and shelter in Green Bay, held its sixth annual fundraiser – “Show of Strength” – at LedgeCrest Reserve in De Pere.

FOX 11’s Michelle Melby had the honor of hosting the event, held each October in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Golden House’s mission is to provide safety and support to victims while advancing efforts to end domestic violence in our community. In addition to emergency shelter, the nonprofit provides safety planning, crisis counseling, support groups, mental health therapy, legal support, parent mentoring, childhood domestic violence resources and education about healthy relationship development.

In 2023, Golden House served more than 2,500 people, housed 425 people, answered over 11,800 hotline calls and provided services to nearly 5,500 people in need.

Officials emphasize that domestic violence can affect anyone – man, woman or child – and that it can happen at any time, regardless of background or history.

According to Golden House statistics, one in six murders occurs in Wisconsin, and our state ranks eighth in the United States for domestic violence deaths. Last year, 85 people died in Wisconsin as a result of domestic violence – that’s about one death every 4.3 days.

Kristin Laursen, Vice President of the Golden House Board of Directors, was the keynote speaker at this year’s Show of Strength event. She told the story of her family’s personal tragedy with domestic violence, delivering a powerful message of hope and resilience and an inspiring call to action.

The evening also included music, food, drinks, desserts and raffle baskets.