At YWCA Northeast Indiana, October is a time to raise community awareness about domestic violence. YWCA Northeast Indiana hosts several events and activities that the community can participate in to raise awareness for domestic violence. Learn more and find out how you can get involved below.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Mayor Tom Henry signed a proclamation on Ocotber 20th declaring October 2023 Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Fort Wayne.
Pictured: Jennifer Rohlf (YWCA's Director of Empowerment), Mayor Tom Henry, Ella Keen (YWCA's Education Coordinator), and Carla Kilgore (YWCA's Director of Mission Advancement).
Flowers on the River
Thank you to our community partners for coming out and sharing resources (Fort Wayne Center for Nonviolence and Amani Family Services, Inc.)!
Thank you to the band, Intrepid Cat, for providing live music at the event (Sai Ramani, Liam Campbell-Carpenter, Colin Butler, and Ethan Walker).
Thank you to Fort Wayne Dance Collective for lending the talents of your dancers (Annalise Highley and Naomi Dees).
Thank you to Moring's Flowers & Gifts Inc. for donating the beautiful flowers for the event.
Find Flowers on the River 2023 event photos on our Facebook page.
Chalk it Up
Thank you to everyone who stopped by Pint & Slice on October 11th and helped us turn the sidewalks into billboards to raise awareness of domestic violence.
Find Chalk it Up 2023 event photos on our Facebook page.
To find information about hosting your own Chalk it Up event at your school, church, place of employment, local park, etc., click here.
Circle
We invite you to come together as a community for this year’s Circle Event, Seasons of Abuse. By bravely telling their stories, local survivors reflect on their past, letting others know that it’s possible to overcome the trauma of domestic violence and enter into a new season of empowerment. Alongside the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, our program will combine survivor stories and education to demonstrate different stages that might repeat or escalate in an abusive relationship. Domestic violence can affect anyone, at any time of their life. But we are all more than our yesterday, no matter what season we are in.
Our 27th Circle event "Seasons of Abuse" took place on October 19th at Ceruti's. For a full room, four domestic violence survivors shared their stories in hopes of helping others. Caryn Burton with the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence shocked the audience with stats and information about many types of domestic violence. Terra Brantley wowed the audience with her survivor story, and tremendous singing voice. Almost all of the event's $195,000 goal was raised to support our domestic violence programming, providing life-saving services to individuals and their children. Find a recap of the event on our website and photos on our Facebook page.
Purple Fridays
Show your support for ending domestic violence by wearing purple every Friday in October. Encourage your family, friends, and
co-workers to also participate and raise awareness!
Don't forget to share your photos and tag us on social media! #DVAM #PurpleFridays
Download our Purple Fridays Flyer here.
Turn the Town Purple
Be on the lookout on October 14th and 19th for Fort Wayne lights to be purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month!
Peace Story Time
Peace Story Time is an opportunity for our children to celebrate compassion and nonviolence. No one is born an abuser, and through age-appropriate story telling, we can create a foundation of understanding that will empower our children to make positive decisions in their future relationships.
Attend a local event or hold a story time with your children at home using books about peace, love, and nonviolence.
Learn more and find book suggestions for various ages on our Peace Story Time Flyer.
Share our Toolkit and Social Media Posts
Send out our 2023 DVAM Toolkit to friends, family, coworkers, church groups, community clubs, etc. We will use social media to share information, resources, and statistics throughout the month. Make sure to like and share these posts on Facebook and Instagram!
Learn about YWCA Northeast Indiana’s Domestic Violence Services
YWCA Northeast Indiana provides
- Crisis Shelter – Bonnie’s House
- Advocacy and Community-Based Services
- Therapy Services
- Children and Nutrition Services
- Community Education
Learn more about our domestic violence services on our website!
YWCA Northeast Indianas Domestic Violence Services