October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time to raise community awareness about domestic violence. YWCA Northeast Indiana hosts several events and activities that the community can participate in to support survivors and learn about our services. This is what we've been up to so far this month!

On Friday, September 20th, we participated in the Art This Way: Alley Bash with our annual Chalk it Up event to raise awareness about domestic violence and share about our services and the upcoming DVAM activities.

We came together as a community for our 28th annual Circle event, “Breaking Barriers” on October 3rd. 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. With your tremendous generosity, we raised over $170,000 to support families experiencing domestic violence in northeast Indiana!

Flowers on the River took place on Tuesday, October 8th. We honored those who have been affected by domestic violence through a proclamation reading, a brave survivor story, inspiring music, and a moment of silence as we dropped carnations in the river. We were joined by Amani Family Services and the Center for Nonviolence to share about community resources.

We are getting proclamations signed to officially recognize October as DVAM by the mayors in all six counties that we serve. We will also be sharing info and resources throughout the month on social media. Find out how you can get involved by downloading our toolkit or visiting our website.

Also in this month’s newsletter, you will find:

Information about our Domestic Violence Services
Highlights from our “Aha!" campaign featuring local celebrities sharing moments that have helped them feel more empowered
Details for upcoming events: Summit City Climbing Gym's Fundraiser, Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse, and our November Diversity Dialogue
Special volunteer highlights
Recent updates at our new home, The Hefner Center
A variety of ways for you to get involved and support the work we are doing right here in northeast Indiana

You make the difference, not only in our organization, but in our community. We are beyond grateful for all of your support and look forward to all we are going to accomplish together!

Domestic Violence Services

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is a “pattern of coercive, controlling behavior” in an intimate relationship that can include physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and other forms of abuse.

YWCA Northeast Indiana helps adults and children experiencing domestic violence to understand the dynamics of domestic violence so that they are empowered to live a life free from abuse.

YWCA offers comprehensive services for people experiencing domestic violence that includes:

Crisis Shelter: Bonnie’s House
24/7 Crisis Line
Community Based Advocacy
Children & Nutrition Services
Therapy Services
Housing Coordination

Statistics

168 adults and 154 children were sheltered at Bonnie's House in the first 6 months of this year
97% of sheltered clients who completed exit surveys reported learning about new community resources and having increased hope for an improved future
258 individuals received community-based domestic violence advocacy in the first 6 months of this year
138 clients worked with an Advocate to create a safety plans in the first 6 months of this year

Success Story

Rachel* had been in an abusive relationship for over 20 years. She had realized for years that the relationship was getting more toxic, but due to the history of being together for so long, and the abuse never involving being physically hit, Rachel hadn't considered it abuse. In the past year, Rachel and her abuser entered into couples counseling, which began to escalate the severity and frequency of the abuse, with her abuser frequently using the sessions as ammunition for future abuse. These instances started to involve threats of suicide, shoving, and financial control. Rachel decided it was time to get more help and reached out to YWCA Northeast Indiana. As she began working with an Advocate, she learned about cycles of violence, dynamics of abuse, and that she was indeed in an abusive relationship.

After an incident where her abuser held her at knife point and threatened to kill her, Rachel decided it was time to make a plan to leave. Her Advocate provided her with a cell phone through Verizon's More Than a Phone program, which was used over the coming weeks to communicate about plans to leave the relationship, arrange for a safe place to stay, talk with attorneys, and file a protective order. Without this phone, it is likely that the abuser would have been tipped off on Rachel's plans to leave, which could have resulted in extreme danger or even death for Rachel. Rachel has now divorced her abuser and is making strides in building her new life free from abuse.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality

To learn more about our domestic violence programming, visit our website.

"Aha!" Empowerment Campaign

YWCA Northeast Indiana is BIG on empowerment. It is who we are and what we stand for. Our 2024 "Aha!" campaign features local celebrities sharing moments that have helped them feel more empowered.

“A light went on for me when I realized that an education is what you make it. You can learn anything if you put your mind to it.”

-Melinda Haines (Chief Executive Officer, The Literacy Alliance)

“I learned through my mother, Audrey Hershberger, the challenges women face regarding gender equality, especially in the workplace. Watching her work in a time of underrepresented women in leadership positions, systemic discrimination and stereotypes, there was an inequality despite her very capable skills and qualities . My “Aha!” moment has been although gender disparities still persist today, women bring innovative thinking, effective communication, adaptability, empathy and an emotional intelligence that make for great leaders and a positive work environment. As Sheriff of a work environment that tends to be more male-dominant, I recognize the valuable traits and skills that women bring, making us a stronger, more developed cohesive unit.”

-Troy Hershberger (Allen County Sheriff)

“My 'Aha!' moment was when I realized adverse childhood experiences, such as witnessing domestic violence, can have long-lasting effects on a person’s physical health, to the extent that a person's life could be shortened. When I thought about the victims and children who were raised in homes with domestic violence, the consequences to them and society as a whole staggered me. It is very empowering to be a part of the team that started the Allen Superior Court’s Domestic Violence Problem-Solving Court. I truly feel that I have made a tangible difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors and their children.”

-Danielle Flora (Attorney, Danielle L. Flora Attorney at Law)

“I used to think empowerment meant offering positive solutions for people to ‘fix’ things. Throughout my journey in this work, I have learned the value of understanding someone else’s ‘why,’ and their perspectives, values, needs, goals, and motivations. My ‘Aha!’ moment occurred when I learned that true empowerment begins with voice and choice.”

-Aisha Pearson (Director of Residential Services, YWCA Northeast Indiana)

Find more "Aha!" moments by visiting our website.

As part of their grand opening, Summit City Climbing Co. is hosting a fundraiser for YWCA’s Addiction Recovery Program! For just $17 (shoes can be rented for an additional $6), you can purchase a day pass and enjoy the gym from 1-9pm on Thursday, October 24th, all while supporting a great cause! YWCA staff will be present at Summit City Climbing Co. to answer any questions and provide resources to participants.

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

We will also be collecting monetary donations and donations of items at the event. All proceeds will benefit our Addiction Recovery Program. Since we are a residential facility, donation items that we are requesting include:

Shampoo and conditioner for all hair types
Children’s clothing (new – all sizes)
Diapers
Facial tissues
Women’s basics (new – all sizes)
Climbing passes for clients

Learn more about this fundraiser, our addiction recovery program, and what YWCA staff and the Summit City Climbing Co. owner have to say about this event by visiting our website. You can also invite your friends and help promote the event by sharing it on Facebook!

Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse

Dine to Donate on Saturday, October 26th between 11am-3pm at Texas Roadhouse (710 W Washington Center Road). Make sure you bring and show them this flyer for 10% of your food purchase to benefit our domestic violence shelter, Bonnie's House.

Later that evening, donations will be accepted for a chance to win a door prize. More info coming soon, follow us on Facebook for updates!

Join us on Thursday, November 14th from 12-1:30pm for our final Diversity Dialogue of 2024, Community Centered Care! As community needs change, individuals and institutions often struggle to adjust. This month’s dialogue will highlight the work of the Allen County Public Library and how they have adjusted to our community’s ever-changing needs. At this dialogue, we'll invite everyone into the conversation as we sit around tables together and think through how we already engage and what new possibilities we can create together. We hope to see you there!

The event will take place at the Allen County Public Library (Main Branch) in Meeting Room AB. Parking is $1/hr or free with a library card. This event will also be available via livestream. Visit our website to learn more.

PQC Trains

We recently had students from PQC Trains spend part of their fall break volunteering with us to gain work experience. They helped us prep rooms for painting by vacuuming, laying down floor coverings, and taping. These rooms will become our permanent staff offices once complete. We are so grateful for their support of our mission and the work we are doing in the community. Thank you!

Angela Zent

We would like to congratulate Angela Zent, who was presented with the 2024 Peggy Hobbs Service Award at our recent Circle event.

The award began in 1977 with the intent to honor a woman of outstanding personal development, achievement, and dedication as a volunteer. We continue Peggy’s legacy by presenting the Peggy Hobbs Service Award to a woman who embodies the passion, commitment, and dedication of Peggy Hobbs. Thank you Angela, for all the good work that you are doing in our community!

Pictured: Pictured: Angela Zent (2024 Peggy Hobbs Award Recipient), and Paula Hughes-Schuh (CEO, YWCA Northeast Indiana)

"The Scoop" will keep you up to date on the latest happenings as we renovate our new building. Although it is still under construction, the former Hall’s Guesthouse Hotel at 1313 W. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana has become YWCA’s new home: The Hefner Center. Stay tuned for updates!

The children's area of the Empowerment Lounge is coming together with a slide and new toys. We've also added a Teen Area (pictured above) with books, tables, and comfortable seating so older children have a place they can read, work on homework, and have a special space just for them.

The Recovery Lounge is looking more complete with couches, tables, a TV, foosball table, and space for staff offices and therapy sessions.

Our hope is that all of our clients are able to feel safe and comfortable while they are receiving services from YWCA Northeast Indiana.

Wear Purple on Fridays in October

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

Learn more about getting involved this Domestic Violence Awareness Month by visiting our website.

Donate Items for Halloween

Every Halloween, we throw a party for our clients and their children so they can safely enjoy the holiday! We currently have 50 children staying with us and we want to give them the best experience with fun costumes and delicious candy!

Items we are looking for include:

Nonviolent costumes for all ages
Individually wrapped candies (including nut-free and gluten-free options)
Non-food items: Halloween pencils, bouncy balls, fidgets, crayons, Halloween bingo, etc.

All donations must be new, not used. If you are interested in donating, please contact Emily at emccorkle@ywcanein.org.

Fort4Fitness Charity Partner

YWCA Northeast Indiana is a Charity Partner with Fort4Fitness! Select YWCA when you register for the Winter Wonder Dash (November 15th and 16th). If we are selected by 100 or more participants, we receive a portion of the registration fees donated, and we are almost there! There’s nothing special or extra you have to do to select us as your Charity Partner, just click our name.

Capital Campaign

There is value in the past. Our history at YWCA Northeast Indiana is full of experiences, experiences that have helped develop us into the life-saving agency we are today. However, we were not able to serve the growing demand for our services in the space at our Decatur Road location. And, while there is beauty in the patina, our old keys won’t open new doors. Thanks to generous supporters like yourself, we are now operating out of our Washington Center Road location, The Hefner Center!

We are close but we aren’t done yet! If you are interested in helping raise the funds necessary to push us over the finish line, please visit our website. This final phase of the capital campaign will provide the key to a safer, stronger, and more educated community.

We are ecstatic about the opportunities this move will provide. Not only does the location have many benefits, the extra space in the building is a game changer! Extra rooms allow for more clients to utilize our services, and the additional space will accommodate partnerships with local organizations.

Thank you for supporting our capital campaign efforts. You are truly making a difference!

Goldstein Family Scholarship Program

The goal of the Goldstein Family Scholarship Program is to help female survivors of domestic violence improve their self-sufficiency and quality of life by completing higher education. The scholarship fund provides financial support for tuition, books, rent, utilities, and childcare. Learn more here.

Donate

With our move to The Hefner Center, we are excited to have a larger kitchen, which will help our nutrition team better serve our clients. This larger kitchen comes will additional needs. Click here to view our kitchen supply wish list, and check out our website for other in-kind donation opportunities.

If you would like to financially support YWCA Northeast Indiana, you can access our donation page by following the link below:

Donate Here