IN THIS ISSUE: Save the date for our 2020 iPledge Campaign; a hotline PSA you can share to build awareness; a Back to School gift card drive; recent media coverage; and more!
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Dear Friends and Advocates,
It's hard to believe that summer is already winding down. We have been engrossed in our work at Women Against Abuse, adapting the ways in which we support survivors of domestic violence as they navigate safety issues throughout this challenging time.
Our summer newsletter will offer you a look at some of the projects we are advancing, while also giving you the opportunity to engage with us even more deeply.
As we move into the start of a new season and school year, I would invite you to:
- Tune-in to our virtual iPledge Campaign on Oct 1st
- Donate a gift card through our modified Back to School Drive
- And help shape our new Policy Agenda
You'll find more information about each of these initiatives below.
Thank you for being an integral part of our community. It is only with your ongoing support that we can continue to walk alongside survivors of intimate partner violence as they journey towards safety.
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In Solidarity,
Jeannine L. Lisitski, Ph.D.
Executive Director & President
Women Against Abuse
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Both COVID-19 and the global movement for racial equity following the murder of George Floyd have underscored the importance of community, and the change that can occur when we work together.
As the premiere citywide public awareness campaign, iPledge® calls on everyday Philadelphians to take a stand against relationship violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year’s theme – The Difference You Can Make – will illuminate the importance of working together against injustice to create a community of safety for every person. The 2020 iPledge® Campaign will provide a compelling virtual experience with tangible ways for advocates to care for their neighbors and create a peaceful community, free from domestic violence.
SAVE THE DATE
OCTOBER 1
NOON EST
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Help us spread the word! Our IPLEDGE SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT has everything you need to tell your friends, family and neighbors about iPledge.
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With COVID-19 forcing many people experiencing domestic violence to quarantine with an abusive partner, we have had to think outside of the box when it comes to outreach. Even as Philadelphia navigates the “green” phase of reopening, there will continue to be significant social distancing in the months ahead that may isolate people experiencing relationship abuse. This places them and their children in a very dangerous situation.
That's why we were so grateful to Ethnologica - a local woman-owned firm - and Dana Masters, who produced a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) featuring the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline number. We have shared these PSAs with local media stations with the goal that people experiencing abuse during COVID-19 will know they are not alone and that resources are available.
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The following Letter to the Editor was published in
racially motivated violence.
We live in a world fraught with inequities centered on race — our laws, systems and institutions give advantages to white individuals at the expense of Black people. As an anti-domestic violence service provider in Philadelphia, the majority of our clients are Black women who must battle layers of racial injustice to break free from abusive relationships.
Compounding this is the fact that we were founded by white feminists in 1976 and have spent much of our history operating under a white-centered lens. The notion that police would de-escalate domestic violence situations worked just fine for our white founders, but not so for our clients of color who can’t call the police without fear that their abusive partner could be shot, or that their teenage son could be arrested if he intervenes.
Approximately four years ago, we began looking at ourselves with a racial justice lens — questioning our policies and procedures, salary structures, program modalities and leadership composition. The more we leaned into this space, the better we have been able to make a difference for our clients and staff.
Creating a safe environment for honest conversations and looking at ourselves candidly has been humbling, and we are far from actively dismantling all of the effects of white supremacy in our organization. But we are committed to the lifelong daily work of being an anti-racist organization, because none of us can be safe and free until we dismantle white supremacy and stop the violent oppression of our Black neighbors.
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It is times like this that make us all uncertain of the future.
Women Against Abuse remains dedicated to being a life-saving resource for people experiencing domestic violence during COVID-19, and we are focused on making it through this challenging period stronger than ever. That is why we wanted to share a way you can support Women Against Abuse now that will make a lasting impact.
Our 1976 Legacy Society is for donors who wish to make a difference through gifts of cash, appreciated securities, retirement or life insurance plans, or real estate. Making a planned gift is a surprisingly simple process, and does not require significant wealth. There are a number of flexible giving options that can benefit you and your family, as well as the survivors of domestic violence we serve.
If you are interested in exploring a planned gift, our Vice President of Advancement, Lindsay Warren, would love to speak with you. You can reach Lindsay at lwarren@womenagainstabuse.org.
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Preparing for the start of school is more challenging than ever this year, as most Philadelphia students will be learning remotely. The children Women Against Abuse serves will need technology and supplies to make their learning at home - or in the safe havens - possible.
Instead of our annual Backpack Drive for Families, we are asking donors to support our smallest survivors by mailing us gift cards for retailers like Target, Walmart and Amazon.
Gift cards can be mailed to:
Women Against Abuse
Attn: Advancement
100 S. Broad Street, Suite 1341
Philadelphia, PA 19110
Thank you for making the back to school season a smoother experience for the families we serve!
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Monthly donors are a vital part of Women Against Abuse's support base. Tracie Dixon Stanley, a Partners for Safety member, recently shared her motivation for being a part of this monthly donor community.
What is your motivation for being a Partners for Safety monthly donor?
My motivation for being a monthly donor began in 2014 when I was briefly employed by Women Against Abuse. Seeing the faces of children because they were safe touched my heart in such a way that I wanted to continue that feeling of knowing I could help children and their families be safe.
What impact do you hope your investment will produce?
My hope is to continue creating safe spaces where survivors have a way of regaining their autonomy and freedom.
What do you like about giving on a monthly basis?
Giving on a monthly basis is a consistent, easy, and convenient way for me to be intentional and present in my monthly gifting to others.
Are you interested in joining our Partners for Safety
monthly donor community?
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Each year, the Policy team at Women Against Abuse refreshes its policy agenda, which serves as the framework guiding the agency’s legislative advocacy on behalf of the survivors we serve.
Our policy agenda is generated by the needs and priorities expressed by our clients and others in our community in service to our mission to provide quality services and end domestic violence.
Our current policy agenda focuses on:
- Safe and Affordable Housing
- Community Safety
- Systems’ Response to Violence
- Empowering Survivors to Gain Independence
- Adequate Funding for Survivors and the Programs that Serve Them
Each of these broad areas includes a number of legislative priorities, such as mandating training for human services personnel, ensuring access to benefits and affordable childcare, restricting access to firearms for people acting abusively, opposing attempts to deter immigrant victims from reaching out for help, and promoting access to comprehensive physical and mental healthcare for people experiencing domestic violence.
As we look to refresh our agenda this year, what would YOU like to see highlighted? Where do you think we should be focusing our attention on behalf of people experiencing domestic violence in Philadelphia this year?
Want to find other ways to advocate? Visit our Take Action Center and raise your voice against violence today!
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Women Against Abuse staff members continued to speak with news outlets about the impact COVID-19 is having for people experiencing domestic violence. Here is a look at a few of the resulting articles:
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Click on the images below to link directly to the corresponding posts.
We've joined Instagram! Please follow us @womenagainstabuse.org
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Women Against Abuse does not discriminate on the basis of gender. To request a copy of our Title IX policy or to make a complaint, contact our Title IX Coordinator, the Vice President of Human Resources, at 215-386-1280. |
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