What unprecedented times we are living in right now trying to cope with this corona virus pandemic. Here at the YWCA we are thinking bout domestic violence increasing with the stress of everyone being home more in close quarters. We know people will be afraid to reach out however we are still providing services and people should keep contacting us if they need help. Advocates are available 24 hours a day ready to help. The YWCA has been impacted in several ways. This years annual Leadership Luncheon has to be rescheduled. This fundraiser provides 20% of our budget. We have closed our office to the public and not taking donations till early April. We have chosen to do our part with social distancing. Once things improve we will welcome your donations of food, clothing, hygiene and cleaning products and all the other amazing things people share with us. If you want to support the YWCA during this pandemic you can make a donation through our website or send a check through the mail. And lastly, THANK YOU to everyone who supports the YWCA in any way. It takes all of us, our village, to love up the survivors of domestic violence that come to us. If you need us call our helpline 509-248-7796.

Your generous donations supported the following in 2019 1200 individuals involved in domestic violence incidents received services through the YWCA  956 Individuals received counseling & went to support groups 404 Children received counseling & went to support groups 191 Individuals received counseling and support services 197 individuals were provided legal advocacy  177 Women & 169 Children were housed in the 24 hour emergency shelter

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Yakima County Domestic Violence Rates 2011-2017

During 2017 in Yakima County, the total number of domestic violence offenses was 3,686, increasing from 1,868, or by 97% since 2004.By comparison during 2017, the rate of domestic violence offenses per 1,000 residents of:Yakima County was 15.8, increasing from 9.0 in 2004.Washington State was 7.6, increasing from 6.5 in 2004.

Data Source: Yakima Valley Trends, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services: Risk and Protection Profiles for Substance Abuse Prevention Planning.

#PutTheNailInIt "We are honored to participate in the #PutTheNailInIt campaign. Domestic violence has hidden in the shadows for far too long, and it's time to bring this issue to the forefront. If the small gesture of our participation can help with that effort, we're happy to do so. Too many women are dealing with this issue in secrecy. If you or someone you know is suffering through a domestic violence situation, speak up. Silence is acceptance." Written By Michael Hummel - Farmers Hummerl Agency

#TheEmilyShuffle

Our family & staff at Brookside Funeral Home was given the sacred honor to care for Emily & her family at the time of her death. As with all families we serve, we are sensitive to the circumstances that brought the need for our services. In Emily’s case, domestic violence should be quite preventable & is without excuse. We felt the compelling urge to spread the word & advocate for the prevention of domestic violence & for those victims who need protection from domestic violence. In addition, we wanted Emily’s impact and legacy to be far reaching &effective. We want her story to be a voice for this often unspoken crisis. We had no expectation of our reach or audience. We just wanted to do what we could for Emily & other victims. We are extremely humbled and grateful for each of the 71,000+ views and 2,300+ shares that our Emily Shuffle video had. We are so thankful we could champion such a great cause, raise awareness, and donate financially to the great work of YWCA right here in Yakima. Written by Jamin Mohler - Owner, Brookside Funeral Home

We are grateful for the outpouring of support to the YWCA in honor of Emily Harris. Thank you to the Harris Family for helping raise awareness that domestic violence impacts all of us. Thank you to Everyone who has donated. We have over $50,000 raised so far. Last year the YWCA helped over 12,000 people in our community impacted by domestic violence.

A Survivors Story  "My oldest son told me that it would all be OK. This broke my heart to pieces."

I was 18 when started dating my abuser. He was 26. I was a single mom at the time and I had no other family except my great grandmother. Our relationship was great in the begining. He helped me raise my daughter and took care of us. I would never have suspected anything. I became pregnant with our first child in January of 2006. The day our baby was born was one of the happiest moments we had ever shared. But it all soon changed after that. He started working graveyard shifts and I would pick him up. This is when the accusations of cheating started. He wanted me to stay home and take care of the kids. So I did. I was closed out of everything and had no one. I found myself pregnant again in 2009. This is when the lying and cheating began but he denied it. The night I confronted him was the same night he came at me and pulled me by my hair. I began to feel insecure and depressed. Stress began to pile up just like our bills. The drinking began and so did the physical abuse towards me. I felt unhappy and isolated. We split up and I moved to my dads house in Seattle. The move was difficult. I soon moved back because he promised to stop drinking. I ended up moving back and finding out I was pregnant.

At this point I didn't know what I was going to do with all my children. Our children began to see us argue. He would push me around. It didn't matter that I was pregnant. I had to hide my black eye and all my emotions. My oldest son told me that it would all be OK. This broke my heart to pieces. In 2019 I had enough. My oldest daughter said "Mom you need out of this situation." I thought about it and it just clicked. She was right. On May 24th, 2019 I packed a bag for each of us and traveled from the Tri-Cites to Yakima. I had no idea where to turn. I had not spoken to my mom in 12 years but she welcomed us back and guided me to YWCA. I came in thankful for housing but I was confused, emotional and depressed. It was difficult to talk about my life and experiences. I had just left a 15 year relationship. The YWCA advocates helped guide me. I was able to get a job and interact with people again. I visited the doctor after many years and things started to look up. My whole attitude changed. I worked my way up to subsidized housing. I went through a lot but in the end it was worth it. I am a better me. To the women out there who have doubt, there is a way out. We deserve happiness. Thank You YWCA! Thank You Amber!