October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for us to come together to raise awareness of this complex and pervasive issue, to elevate the visibility of community resources available to help, to engage policymakers to enact change, and to celebrate the strength and resiliency of the brave survivors in our lives and in our community.
This month, we honor the bravery and resilience of survivors like Ani. At the start of the pandemic, Ani came to the YWCA with her two children, having fled a physically abusive marriage. She found safety and support at our emergency shelter where she began working with her case manager to rebuild her life. She began attending domestic violence support groups for Armenian speakers where she found community with other survivors who were also facing similar challenges. This community and the staff at YWCA supported her in her dream of improving her English and gaining new skills of independence - such as learning how to pay her bills online and establishing her own cell phone line. She enrolled in an English as a Second Language class at a local community college and after two semesters and a lot of hard work, she passed an English proficiency test. YWCA’s housing navigation staff was able to advocate for Ani and support her in securing transitional housing for her and her children, providing her with a security deposit and housewares for their new home, free from violence. She shared,
"When I thought I had no one, you were there for me. When I was scared and didn't know what to do, you sat with me and encouraged me. You made me believe I could begin again and I did."
Ani is one of many survivors who came to YWCA following an escalation in violence during COVID-19 - what is being referred to as a "shadow pandemic" of violence against women and children. We continue to respond to this shadow pandemic, where the demands for our services remain at a historic high. We invite you to support us as we continue to answer each call, open our doors to all seeking safety, and work side by side with survivors in their journey to long term safety and healing by making a donation today.