Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. -Dr. Suess

ONE in FOUR women in the U.S. is a victim of domestic violence

19% of domestic violence involves a weapon

The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%

On a typical day, more than 20,00 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines

ONE in FIFTEEN children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year. 90% of these are eyewitnesses

Rock County is fortunate enough to have an agency like the YWCA that helps combat this problem head on and offer essential services to all those impacted by domestic violence- women, children AND men. While the organization itself offers many services to benefit the families of Rock County (including the CARE House, our Child Advocacy Center), their Alternatives to Violence and Transitions programs specifically target those who’ve been affected by this societal problem. The Alternatives to Violence program offers a 33-bed domestic violence shelter that remains full or nearly full all the time. They provide adults dealing with domestic violence and their children a warm place to rest their heads, food, basic necessities, and support. The Transitions program offers adults who are rebuilding their lives after domestic violence with 12 months of subsidized independent housing, and up to 18 months of advocacy and case management support.

In 2019 73 Adults and 99 Children were helped through the Alternative to Violence shelter.

53 community clients and 188 legal advocacy clients were served.

723 calls and texts were made to the help line

2,674 volunteer hours were dedicated to the program

7,576 shelter nights were provided

I have worked hand in hand with these people- both victims and survivors AND those offering the above services for the past 17 years. I have witnessed how domestic violence can impact adults, children and our community. I have seen it change the trajectory of people’s lives. It’s ugly, it’s scary and it’s a PROBLEM.

I typically have contact with my colleagues at the YWCA on a weekly basis and I see the incredible amount of time and blood, sweat and tears they put into their work. They are true warriors- champions for those they serve.

With that being said, this year we celebrate Walk A Mile in Her Shoes 15^TH Year!! So please join me in helping them do it right!

Just a small donation will go a long way to help YWCA Rock County...