News
September 24, 2020YWCA NENY Sets Domestic Violence Awareness Month Programs
YWCA NorthEastern NY invites the community to participate in our annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month programming. Due to COVID-19, all programs will be held virtually this year.
We will kick off the month with a virtual panel discussion entitled “Exposure to Abuse” on Thursday, October 1 at 12:00PM. During this live discussion, we will hear from survivors about how the trauma of domestic violence impacted them as children, and how it continues to manifest as adults. Experts will also weigh in to share what they are seeing and what New York is doing to support survivors and their families.
Panelists include: Sabrina Mosseau, Amanda Tucker, Matt Dearing from the Schenectady Police Department, Adriel Linyear from the Youth Aid Bureau, Heather Wilson from Child Protective Services, and Jara Traina from the Office of Children and Family Services. This program is free and will be live-streamed to YWCA NENY’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
On Thursday, October 15, the community is invited to participate in our Virtual Take Back the Night Program. Participants will join us for a brief live virtual program at 5:00PM during which we will present the 2nd Champion of Hope Award to an outstanding advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence. We will also talk about how COVID-19 has affected domestic violence here in our own community. Following the program, participants are invited to put on their purple and take to the streets and/or social media to raise awareness and honor victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Take Back the Night participants can register online at www.ywca-neny.org/october. Registration ranges from free to $15. By making a $5, $10 or $15 donation, registrants will be able to receive yard signs and pins to show their support for ending domestic violence throughout the month of October.
Lauren Trunko, YWCA NENY’s Women & Family Services Director states: “YWCA NorthEastern NY has been hosting the Annual Take Back the Night March and other awareness events in October since the early 1990’s to highlight the urgency to take a stand against domestic violence in our community. Although it will look different this year, we know now, more than ever how important it is to make sure those currently struggling to find hope in domestic violence situations are aware that there is still help available here at YWCA NENY. We invite community members and advocates to register to participate with us in solidarity, rock your purple and show your support for ending domestic violence. As a community, we are better than this and together we can demand an end to it.”
YWCA NorthEastern NY has been providing domestic violence support services since 1976. Currently YWCA NENY serves approximately 4,000 people each year through these programs and services, which include a shelter, counseling, a 24-hour hotline, a family violence prevention program, and advocacy. All services are free and confidential.
YWCA NorthEastern NY is dedicated to eliminating racism; empowering women; and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Since its beginnings in 1888, YWCA of Schenectady, dba YWCA NorthEastern NY has served women and families in Schenectady and the surrounding region. Through its 130-year history, YWCA NENY has been a constant innovator in providing programs and services to meet the changing needs of the community. Each year more than 6,000 people throughout the Capital Region, are provided with comprehensive programs and services. The main focus areas include domestic violence support services, safe and affordable housing for homeless and low-income women, economic empowerment programs, and accredited early learning programs.
