On March 9, the Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center (WCFOC) will proudly host itsSeventh annual "Empty Bowl" event at the DC Events Center at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The Empty Bowl event is one of three major fundraisers hosted by WCFOC as we strive to be a good community partner, a responsible steward of resources, and an organization that continues to grow in ways that not only ends violence, but improves quality of life for all.

In Douglas County, the number one crime is domestic violence. In fact, 14 of 17 homicides in Douglas County have been factually based in domestic violence, three of which occurred in 2006. In order to combat this ever-growing and devastating tragedy, the WCFOC is expanding programs, enlarging our reach, and seeking innovative and preventative services.

In 2006, the WCFOC shelter housed over 100 women and children for more than 2,100 nights. In addition to supporting our crisis intervention and residential programs, your support and attendance at events such as Empty Bowl event will also help the WCFOC raise the much-needed funds to provide case management, therapy, and advocacy services for our non-residential clients, as well as trainings and educational awareness to stop the generational cycle of violence in our community.

At Empty Bowl each year, professional and hobbyist potters donate 1,000 hand made bowls. Each bowl symbolizes the empty place a victim leaves behind when escaping an abusive relationship. General admission tickets to Empty Bowl are $35 in advance ($45 at the door) and include a handmade pottery bowl of your choice and a dinner of soup and bread donated by local eateries. Reserved tables for eight are available for $350. The 2007 Empty Bowl will also feature live entertainment by the acoustic rock duo Colfax and Wadsworth, and an exclusive silent auction.

Please call 303-688-1094 or visit www.twcfoc.org to purchase tickets, or for more information on how you can assist us in our fight against domestic violence. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call our 24-hour crisis line at 303-688-8484.