YWCA Dayton to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month
YWCA Dayton to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month New #PassThePurseDYT campaign could result in $100,000+
YWCA Dayton to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month
In the U.S., three out of four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. This epidemic crosses every racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic class and costs our nation more than $5.8 billion each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This October, YWCA Dayton is raising awareness of, and funds for, domestic violence services in Montgomery and Preble county. The YW is both counties’ only provider of emergency shelter from abuse and is the operator of both counties’ only 24/7 crisis hotline. We provide shelter and support every day to more than 100 women and children seeking lives free from violence.
2016 Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlights include:
Sept. 28-Oct. 25 | Purple Purse Challenge
Starts & Ends at Noon
The number one reason women don’t leave abusive relationships is because they’re being abused financially. The Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse Challenge is a four-week-long crowdfunding competition supporting agencies, like YWCA Dayton, that provide financial literacy education for domestic violence survivors. The top five fundraisers in each of two divisions will be eligible for additional grants, up to $100,000, from Allstate. We are one of only 191 organizations nationwide chosen to participate. (Learn more at www.ywcadayton.org/purplepurse.)
To help spread the word, we’re launching a new social media campaign, #PassThePurseDYT. For the 28 days of the Purple Purse Challenge, a variety of women and women’s groups across the Miami Valley will each carry a purple purse – first, one designed by local artist Trish McKinney, and later, a limited-edition bag designed by Allstate spokeswoman and actress Kerry Washington – to voice their support of YWCA Dayton and its efforts to end domestic violence and support DV victims.
Oct. 8 | Purple Paws: Preble Pets Against Domestic Violence
10 a.m.-Noon | YWCA Dayton Preble County Office (Rear Courtyard), 225 N. Barron St., Eaton, OH 45320
For the first time, YWCA Dayton will host a signature fundraising event for its Preble County Office. YW has operated the only DV shelter in Preble County since 2004, and opened a formal business office in Eaton, Ohio, earlier this year. Purple Paws is an outdoor event for everyone in the family – even Fido. Activities include a Critter Costume Contest and Pet Parade. Registration available at http://bit.ly/PurplePaws16. Rain date: Oct. 29, 2016.
Oct. 11 | YWomen Breakfast
8-9 a.m. (Doors open 7:30 a.m.) | Schuster Center Wintergarden, 1 W. Second St., Dayton OH 45402
YWCA Dayton will recognize the strength and resilience of domestic violence survivors at our annual YWomen Breakfast, a special fundraising event that will also announce and honor the 2016 recipient of the Marsha Froelich Survivor Award. Registration is available at http://bit.ly/ywbreakfast16.
Plus: Paint the Town Purple, an initiative that includes displaying purple ribbons on downtown Dayton lightposts, lighting up a variety of downtown buildings purple, and hosting “takeover” fundraising nights at area restaurants. For a full list, visit www.ywcadayton.org/dvam.
YWCA Dayton staff are available to speak on any of the above events or domestic violence as a topic. To arrange an interview, contact Audrey Starr at the information above or email communications@ywcadayton.org.
YWCA is On A Mission
For more than 150 years, YWCA has been at the forefront of the most critical social movements — from voting rights and civil rights, to affordable housing and pay equity, to violence prevention and health care reform. Today, YWCA is one of the top 25 largest charities in the U.S., according to NonProfit Times, with total revenues of more than $775 million. YWCA helps more than 2 million women and children each year in the U.S.; worldwide, YWCA serves 25 million women and girls in 120 countries.
At YWCA Dayton, we:
• Operate the only domestic violence shelters in Montgomery and Preble Counties. In 2015, just under 3,000 calls were fielded through our 24-hour domestic violence hotlines, and 21,275 bed nights of emergency protective shelter were provided to nearly 500 women and children in both these counties.
• Provide affordable housing and housing-related services for women and families who are victims of domestic violence or at risk of homelessness. In 2015, 1,640 nights of shelter were provided for dozens of homeless women, and 98 women called our Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) housing units home.
• Empower teens to explore and achieve their highest potential through educational and prevention outreach programming as well as our Girls Inc. program. More than 1,000 teens received services last year, including participants of our Girls Inc. program, which is part of an international network inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold and empowers them to succeed. Across the U.S. and Canada, Girls Inc. chapters provide more than 140,000 girls with a sisterhood of support to set goals, overcome obstacles and improve academic performance and achievement.
• Advocate for legislative priorities that address racial justice and civil rights, women’s economic empowerment, and women’s health and safety.
YWCA Dayton is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen our community. For comprehensive information about this important work, visit www.ywcadayton.org and follow the conversation on social media with hashtag #OnAMission.
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