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
Help us kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month by turning local sidewalks into a giant chalk billboards featuring drawings, facts, and quotes that bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence. This year we are excited to be participating in the 2024 Art This Way Art Crawl: Alley Bash!
Date: Friday, September 20th
Time: 6-10pm
Location: Downtown Fort Wayne
Cost: $20 to attend the Alley Bash
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 with us as a community for this year’s Circle Event, “Breaking Barriers with Confidence, Comforts, and Care.” Local survivors will bravely tell their stories and reflect 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 will have other experts address the top barriers preventing someone from escaping domestic violence. A staff member from the YWCA will also share the services that we offer to equip and empower individuals in a domestic violence situation to break barriers. Additionally, those who no longer wish to be bystanders will be provided with ways in which they can provide support to those who deserve a more beautiful day!
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
Time: 11:30am-1pm
Location: The Diamond Room at Ceruti's Catering, 6601 Innovation Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Theme: Breaking Barriers with Confidence, Comforts, and Care
Cost: $100
Flowers on the River
Join us as we honor those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. The event will include a reading of the proclamation, poetry, and survivor stories. We will drop flowers in the river and share a moment of silence and unity in honor of everyone whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. We hope to see you there!
Date: Tuesday, October 8th
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Wells Street Bridge
Cost: Free
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 6-8th 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 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