COEUR d’ALENE — Wednesday night’s EnVISION: Creating a Community Free from Violence gala, put on by the local nonprofit Safe Passage at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, was no doubt an elegant affair — but the evening was about much more than fine dining or winning auction prizes.  

“Tonight is about putting survivors of domestic violence and the services we provide at the forefront,” said Amanda Krier, the executive director of Safe Passage. “Survivors get to see that we are here to support them.”  

Safe Passage has been advocating for and providing services to victims of domestic abuse and violence in North Idaho since 1977. The services offered by the nonprofit are completely free to survivors — and are made possible by events like EnVISION.  

Wednesday night’s sold-out gala featured food and drinks, a raffle, a silent and live auction and impact statements from survivors. According to Secretary Maria McCabe, Safe Passage exceeded its EnVISION fundraising goal of $100,000.

Ramie, a survivor of domestic violence and abuse, described how if she hadn’t found Safe Passage, she “wouldn’t be here today.”

“You want to believe that the person you love and care so much about is going to change,” Ramie explained to the audience. “Survivors have been beat down mentally, and oftentimes physically, to the point that they don’t know where to start.”

Ramie also said that Safe Passage offered counseling, life skills support and even provided “an amazing Christmas” for her children.

Organizers held a moment of silence following Ramie’s story to reflect on the gravity of the survivors’ statements heard Wednesday night. 

“We’re here to walk beside victims that feel lost, abandoned and afraid,” said Scott Coleman, the director of the Children’s Advocacy Center at Safe Passage.  

“Together we stand against violence ... and that’s what we’re doing right now,” said Leslie Johnson, Safe Passage’s director of development and communications.

    Jennifer Klatt, a volunteer with Safe Passage, celebrates after winning a seven-day trip to the Bahamas through a raffle at Wednesday night's EnVISION gala at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.