October is Domestic Violence Action Month. DVAM. YWCA Pierce County.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) nationwide. The original purpose of DVAM was to connect domestic violence advocates around the country and region. As the month grew in popularity, it has expanded to involve everyone interested in learning about domestic violence, reporting instances and breaking the cycle of violence.

During the month of October, YWCA Pierce County holds Domestic Violence Action Month – moving the focus from understanding the issue to taking action to prevent and end domestic violence in our community.


Join us for a month of amazing events!


Empower Happy Hour: Supporting Survivors & Transforming Lives
Thursday, October 20 • 5:30-8 PM • West of the Waterway

Join the YWCA for Empower Hour, a causal cocktail hour fundraiser where you will learn more about the services the YWCA offers and how you can support survivors in Pierce County. This is an event for people 21+. Beer and wine are complimentary for attendees, while cocktails will be an extra charge. The event is free to attend, but requires prior registration online. Appetizers will be served throughout the evening. 

Check out the parking map beforehand to help find the best spot for you to park!
REGISTER NOW

Community Tours
Monthlong • Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM • YWCA Pierce County

Throughout the month of October, we want to give the community the chance to learn about our programs and services by touring our facilities in downtown Tacoma. Feel free to book a tour with us and learn more about how survivors of domestic violence and their families receive support through the YWCA and how you can help make a difference. 

Tours typically take up to one hour, but can be adjusted upon request. All individuals who enter our building are required to sign a confidentiality statement for the safety of our clients. At this time, we are still requiring all individuals on-site to wear masks.

SCHEDULE A TOUR


Orange Theory Costume Class
Friday, October 28 • 5:30 to 6:30 PM • Orange Theory Stadium District

Get in the spirit of the spooky season while working up a sweat at this themed Orange Theory class! Sign up costs $20. 

All proceeds from the class will go directly to the YWCA Pierce County to support survivors of domestic violence.

Check out this Instagram Post for more Info


Round Up & Support Survivors
Monthlong • Every day • Doyle's Public House

For the entire month of October, Doyle’s is offering patrons an opportunity to round-up their bill to the next dollar to support the YWCA’s empowering domestic violence services. 
Just let your server know, and they will do the rest!

Go to Doyle's Today!


Are you a business or organization that wants to partner with us to host a DVAM event?
 
SPONSOR AN EVENT HOST AN EVENT
If you find yourself passionate about any of the events described above, consider sponsoring! Sponsorships help us cover the costs of events and increase the amount of funds that go towards supporting our free services for survivors of domestic violence. Sponsorship is a fantastic way to demonstrate to your customers that you support survivors of domestic violence and engage in your community in meaningful ways. Join us as we raise awareness and encourage community action this October. Events in that past have included a kick-off event at Doyle's, in-kind and monetary donation drives, drink & food specials with a portion donated to the YWCA, and special events that allow community members to learn more about domestic violence prevention in the South Sound. 


Email Jesse Bohlin (they/them) to learn more and get involved in DVAM 2022. 
 



WHAT IS THE 21-DAY DVAM CHALLENGE?

In 2020, the YWCA Pierce County went virtual for Domestic Violence Action Month (DVAM)!

As part of DVAM, we hosted a virtual 21-day challenge. Every weekday participants received an email with various learning challenges such as podcasts, videos, and articles that examine the intersections of white supremacy, racism, and domestic and sexual violence.

Through this challenge, we explored topics such as white supremacy, criminalization of survival, barriers to accessing services, and transformative justice. By learning about these topics, we developed a deeper understanding of the barriers that survivors of color face in seeking assistance. We left this challenge with tools and skills to better support survivors of color, through strategies that were developed and fostered by people of color (especially women of color).

REVIEW THE CHALLENGE

REFLECTION TOOLS FOR THE CHALLENGE


WHAT INSPIRED YWCA’S 21 DAY CHALLENGE?

Originally developed by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. and Debby Irving, the 21-Day challenge has been adapted by many organizations across the country. By taking 21 days to form a habit, the challenge aims to have participants build in a set-aside time and space to build more effective social justice habits.

We want to thank Food Solutions New England for inspiring this challenge. They were the first to adapt an exercise from Dr. Eddie Moore and Debby Irving’s book into the interactive 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, which they launched in 2014. We also want to thank The YWCA of Greater Cleveland for leading this work with their 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge and sharing that work with the YWCA National network.