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
We are in the process of scheduling a mayoral proclamation signing that will declare October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Fort Wayne!
Pictured: Our 2023 signing with 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).
Chalk it Up
Thank you to everyone who helped us kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month by turning downtown sidewalks into a giant chalk billboards featuring drawings, facts, and quotes that bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence. We were excited to participate in the 2024 Art This Way Art Crawl: Alley Bash on September 20th!
To find information about hosting your own Chalk it Up event at your school, church, place of employment, local park, etc., click here.
Circle
On October 3rd, we came together as a community for this year’s Circle event, “Breaking Barriers with Confidence, Comforts, and Care.” Local survivors bravely told their stories and reflected on their past, letting others know it is possible to overcome barriers to experience a better day. Alongside the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, we had experts address the top barriers preventing someone from escaping domestic violence. A staff member from YWCA shared the services that we offer to equip and empower individuals in a domestic violence situation to break barriers. Additionally, those who no longer wished to be bystanders were provided with ways in which they can provide support to those who deserve a more beautiful day!
Thank you
to those who attended our 28th annual Circle event! With your tremendous generosity, we are very close to achieving our goal of $200,000 to support families experiencing domestic violence in northeast Indiana. We are so grateful to count you in our circle of support!
Because of you, we are able to help individuals and families from across northeast Indiana who need the services of YWCA to break the barriers they face and find safety. Last year alone, we served 764 adults with one-on-one domestic violence advocacy, the highest ever in our agency's history.
If the stories of strength and resiliency have resonated with you since Circle and you would like to make a donation, it’s not too late. By giving today, you can help push us over our goal. Remember, you can pledge your gift and pay in monthly or quarterly installments.
Flowers on the River
Thank you to everyone who attended Flowers on the River on October 8th and helped us honor those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. It was an amazing event with a powerful impact. Thank you to our brave survivor and inspirational singer who made the event extra special.
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 Heartland Sings for providing live music and sound at the event.
Thank you to Moring's Flowers and Gifts for donating the beautiful flowers.
Triumph Studio Charity Boxing Class
Thank you to Triumph Studios for hosting a charity boxing class to benefit our domestic violence shelter, Bonnie’s House! The boxing class was 55-minutes, where participants do 5 rounds of boxing on water bags, and 5 rounds of strength training on the “floor side” with dumbbells.
October 12th, 2024
11am-12pm
Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse
Thank you to Texas Roadhouse for donating a portion of food purchases to go towards our domestic violence shelter, Bonnie’s House, and for raffling off a door prize to raise funds.
October 26, 2024
11am-3pm
Texas Roadhouse (710 W Washington Center Road)
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
Did you notice Fort Wayne lights were purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month on October 6-8th?
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 2024 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