Dear Friends,

The adage “It takes a village” truly aligns with the efforts needed to end the cycle of violence. As we embark on another Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we reflect on the sheer force required to address this issue, collectively.

While domestic violence has been considered by many to be a “family issue,” the impact of violence stretches far beyond the walls of homes and seeps into the core of our communities. Domestic violence creates trauma, and the ripple of trauma is felt in our schools, community centers, businesses, and everyday interactions with our neighbors. It is often the catalyst that leads to bullying, unhealthy teen relationships, toxic work environments, and challenging interactions with strangers.

During the pandemic, domestic violence became a pandemic of its own as people faced the added pressures of increased economic insecurity, isolation, and limited contact with support networks. With our communities reopening and life returning to “normal,” these effects from this time will continue to impact our daily lives.

In order to counter the effects of domestic violence, we must collectively respond with resources to support those directly affected, education for communities to stop abuse in its wake, and the tools to prevent violence from occurring.

These measures would seem overwhelming if we were doing this work alone, but with this expansive village - our supporters, partners, and stakeholders  we can bring an end to domestic violence.

We hope you will join us this Domestic Violence Awareness Month as we raise our voices together to call for an end of violence and exploitation.

With appreciation,

Mark

It's Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and one key aspect of awareness is understanding what domestic violence is at its core.

Domestic violence - or "DV" - encompasses a range of behaviors that are used to establish power and exert control over a current or former intimate partner. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the US alone. This means that more than ten million individuals experience domestic violence each year.

As shocking as this number is, that statistic only includes physical violence and doesn’t account for any other form of abuse. While people often think of domestic violence as purely physical, DV is actually much more complex than that. Domestic violence can be verbal, sexual, and even psychological; and while physical abuse is seemingly more visible, the effects of emotional trauma and psychological manipulation can last a lifetime.  

WTLC's transitional housing program operates in the critical space between emergency shelter and permanent housing, providing survivors with the time they need to find healing and long-term stability. Our Hope House project will create a dedicated transitional housing space for survivors to live while addressing their recovery needs through supportive services like counseling, legal advocacy, and case management.

This year we have seen so much progress on this project - just look at where we started and where we are now! We're excited to be able to show you all what's still to come. Stay Tuned...