Inspire A Difference 2016 Event in NYC

I was recently selected for an awesome opportunity to go to New York City to attend the Inspire A Difference Event on October 26^th, 2016.

So what is the “Inspire A Difference” event?

Well, every year Glamour and InvestigationDiscovery host an event to celebrate and praise amazing people who have dedicated their lives to helping make a difference in the lives of others. This organization was formed in 2013 and has hosted a special awards ceremony annually to honor people who have spent their lives serving or are big voices behind amazing organizations. 

Some of its nonprofit partners include: No More, Safe Horizon, and the National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

The Inspire A Difference campaign focuses on several different but equally important issues such as: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Victims of General Crime, Racial Injustice, Stalking, Internet Safety and cyberbullying.

This year, there were three celebrities being honored for their service as well as one everyday hero.

Joy and Dave after the show!

Joy Behar, which most of you may recognize from the TV show, The View, is one of today's top comedic talents, and a super advocate for The Retreat, which is an organization that provides safety, shelter and support for victims of domestic abuse. Joy helps to raise community awareness on Long Island to break the cycle of violence. Founded in 1987, The Retreat serves men, women, children by providing crisis support, shelter, counseling, legal advocacy and education.

During the event, when Joy was being introduced, jokes were cracked and she even tossed a few jokes back at them. She was very funny but also very passionate about this cause. She shared her story and her experience with the crowd and gladly accepted her beautiful crystal award.

I actually got to walk up to Joy, after the speeches were done and I asked to shake her hand, which she gladly allowed. I also got to hug her and take a picture with her.

Next to receive an award was Maria Bello who is a beautiful and exceptional actress, who is best known for her roles in Coyote Ugly, Grownups 1 and 2 among many others. What you may not know about her, is that Maria is also a writer and a supporter of Joyful HeartFoundation.

Joyful Heart is actually an organization that was originally founded by Mariska Hargitay, the woman who played Detective Benson on the TV show, Law & Order: SVU.

Their mission is to transform the response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors' healing, and end this violence completely.

According to their website, http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/

·         One in three women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.

·         Every two minutes in the United States, someone is sexually assaulted.

·         More than five children die every day in this country as a result of child abuse and neglect, and up to 15 million children witness domestic violence in their homes each year.

These numbers are alarming, but thankfully, we are continuously promoting awareness and support.

I was really excited to see her, because I have been a fan of hers for years. 

After the show, I was walking up to her when she jumped up, shook my hand and asked my name, then pulled me into a hug with her. She was very friendly and down to earth. I was more than elated and completely forgot to ask to have my picture taken with her.

After that, was Dave Navarro, who is a musician, and has been a part of the bands Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Dave is also a songwriter, filmmaker, and tattoo artist/host of the Ink Master TV show. 
He recently just released his very first feature film, Mourning Son, which is an emotional documentary that tells the story of the murder of his mother, when he was 15 years old, and their experience and battle with domestic violence.

Dave is a spokesperson for Safe Horizon, which is an organization providing safety, legal representation, and counseling to move victims from crisis to confidence.

Dave walked up to the podium to share his story and his support and was overcome by emotion several times that almost brought the whole room to tears. He had an awfully traumatic experience at a young age and it has affected his whole life but yet he is still so amazingly strong as well as supportive and passionate in helping others. He really is a true inspiration. 

And lastly, the Every Day Hero award went to Chacrice Miles. She is an advocate and a survivor of domestic violence. She attended the event with her grown daughter who also helps in their organization, Transition 1 2 3, Inc. Transition 1, 2, 3,’s mission is to be a catalyst in the lives of disenfranchised women to move them to a plateau of success in every aspect of their lives: Spiritually, Physically, Emotionally and Financially. Transition 1, 2, 3, has been serving victims in Detroit for over eight years and continues to provide a safe place for women and children in need with a spacious shelter that can house 100 women or 50 families.

My name is Ashley Roggow, and I am a 3rd term - AmeriCorps member, currently serving as a Technology & Resource Navigator at WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum in Kelso, WA. I am also a strong advocate for Domestic Violence and had served in the past as a DV/Legal Advocate at our local shelter.

I was deeply moved by this event and its honorees. Domestic violence is not something that just affects one person. It affects whole families, friends, and can happen to anyone, man, woman or child. And it needs to stop. Now.

You can show your support with the hashtag #putthenailinit, which signifies the End of Violence.

Participate by painting the ring fingernail on your left hand purple. Just that one.

Then post a picture online on your social medias using the hashtag #putthenailinit.

You can also find more information about the Inspire A Difference organization and event, as well as pledge to make a difference for people in your own communities. http://inspireadifference.com/

#inspireadifference


I did win this trip to New York City and the event for free but the above opinions are my own. This post was written about this event but is not sponsored as part of my winnings.