XENIA — It’s been a pretty good week for a Greene County agency.

The Family Violence Prevention Center announced on Wednesday the official launch of a rebranding, including a new name — Violence Free Futures — and on Thursday it received a $10,000 donation from the Xenia Kentucky Fried Chicken and the KFC Foundation in Kansas.

The Xenia KFC was the only one in Ohio chosen to make a donation on behalf of KFC’s “Kentucky Fried Wishes” campaign.

The non-profit chosen was one of three that were considered and it holds a special place in store manager Emily Hayslip’s heart as the organization had offered safety and refuge to a former co-worker and her two children.

“I’ve grown up in Xenia and it’s great to see good things happen in our town,” Hayslip said. “What the center does for the community is great. My friend got out of an abusive relationship with their help. We are all like family here.”

Hayslip was joined by Lance Lamphar, her area coach; Keith Robinson, regional director of operations; and Jim Stanton, senior vice-president of operations, in presenting the check to VFF Executive Director Deborah Matheson.

“When we live in a safe, respectful, and caring home, it may be hard to think of those who do not have this comfort,” said Matheson, who added that much of the KFC donation will go towards new bedding/furniture for victims who stay at VFF.

“We are there for the survivors of domestic and sexual violence who are in danger if they remain in the house and relationship where they are,” she said. “We are so appreciative of KFC selecting to join with VFF to be the heroes that are taking care of the survivors in our community.”

The nonprofit’s rebranding also includes anew vision, tagline, and visual identity.

“The trustees unanimously voted this year on the rebranding elements as we embrace the agency’s focus on our mission, vision, and service connection under our robust 2023 strategic plan,” said Board Chair Dr. Shirelle Applin. “Our new vision is to provide hope and healing for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.”

Matheson, who has served as a key leader in the organization for more than 20 years, said that the organization was at a time where growth dictates the evaluation of its name and mission.

“A lot has changed since our founding in 1979,” she said. “We are now serving both domestic and sexual violence victims and survivors.”

With the new name comes a new logo — a tree with hearts as leaves — that represents nationally identifiable branding colors for domestic and sexual violence.

Orange is for teen dating, teal is for sexual violence, deep purple is for domestic violence, silver purple is for elder abuse and royal blue is for child abuse.

“The trunk of the tree represents people of all shapes, sizes, and skin tones whom we are here to help 24/7 to provide ‘hope and healing’ in their time of need,” Matheson said.

The agency’s website relaunch is underway at violencefreefutures.org.

Violence Free Futures has been providing services to victims since 1979. Organization names and locations have evolved since that time to include Family Violence Prevention Center since 2000. The agency has grown to provide a full slate of holistic and comprehensive services. These include a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, domestic violence emergency response team program (DIVERT), healthy homes education group, certified rape crisis center (new in 2022), safe housing center, and a dynamic prevention education team.

In 2022, the organization helped more than 8,000 survivors. More than 30 percent of Greene County’s families have been impacted by domestic violence in one way or another. Violence Free Futures is preparing for expansion and will open a 4,300 square foot outreach center late 2023 to help meet the growing demand for domestic abuse and sexual violence survivor assistance in Greene County.

The mission of Violence Free Futures is to reduce family and relationship violence and its impact throughout Greene County through prevention, intervention, collaborative community programs, and safe housing for individuals, children, teens, families, and seniors.

Contact these reporters at 937-372-4444.