FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE

YOU ARE PROVIDING FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM

Since 1985, YWCA Evanston/North Shore has provided safety and resources for domestic violence survivors and their families. Because of your support, we are able to provide an environment that is safe and welcoming and meets survivors where they are on their journeys. We help them access economic resources and legal protections, and we offer support and counseling that strengthens their ability to address the many complex issues they face as they recover from trauma and rebuild their lives. We also continue to address domestic violence from multiple angles, from training salon professionals to working with young people on violence prevention.

24-HOUR CRISIS LINE COMMUNITY COUNSELING SERVICES COUNSELING AND TRAINING ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES EMERGENCY SHELTER INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR ABUSERS

...AND HOPE FOR A STABLE FUTURE

LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES LONGER-TERM SUPPORTIVE HOUSING MEDICAL ADVOCACY TRAINING MEN IN THE MAKING RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE PREVENTION FOR YOUTH

YOU ARE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO HEAL... “You never know how or when you’re going to make a difference for

someone. I gave a presentation about domestic abuse to a business group and about four years later, a woman who had been at that presentation arrived at the YWCA seeking help. She had kept my business card wadded up in her purse and she told me that it had taken her this long to muster the courage. She said she was finally ready to deal with her abuse.”

 Wendy Dickson (pictured below at a training for salon professionals), director of domestic violence training and prevention

“I feel like my counselor at the YWCA really helped me. She understood me, she encouraged me, and she helped me process the problems I had in my life. I still have problems, but I’m getting better. When I see my counselor, my heart shines.”

 A client in our emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors

4 | 5 As of January 2019, Illinois law requires all salon professionals to be trained on sexual assault and domestic violence. In 2019, we trained 604 salon professionals to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse in their clients and co-workers and discretely refer them to supportive services.

Illinois State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, an advocate for common sense gun safety legislation, spoke at our annual domestic violence conference. She is pictured here with YWCA CEO Karen Singer.

...AND PUSHING THE CONVERSATION FORWARD “There is a common denominator that is often left out of the discussion of gun violence and mass shootings and that is domestic violence. We are stepping up our efforts to partner with law enforcement, legislators, and health and safety officials to make sure current gun laws are implemented, loopholes are closed, and those who deal with domestic violence situations receive the education and training they need to ensure the safety of victims and bystanders.”

 Kristen White, chief operating officer

YOUR IMPACT: 2019

11,340 nights of emergency shelter helped survivors heal from the trauma of domestic violence

684 survivors and their children received counseling and legal protection

3,314 kindergarten-college students learned how to identify and build healthy relationships

YOU ARE ADDRESSING THE ROOTS OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR...

 “We talk to hundreds of middle school and high school students every year. Sometimes our discussions are direct: What are the warning signs a dating partner is abusive? How can you support a friend in an abusive relationship? But our goal isn’t just to give them checklists of do’s and don’ts. We aim to form relationships with students and have conversations that contribute to an entire culture shift.” Hallie Cohen, violence prevention educator on our Building Healthy Relationships team

Sandy T. Williams (left) is YWCA's director of domestic violence residential and community services, Antonio Rice (facing page, left) is a violence prevention educator, and Brian McHugh (facing page, right) leads "Alternatives to Violence," a program for abusive men. They are just three of YWCA's comprehensive domestic violence program team.

We know that in addition to providing safety to survivors and helping them heal, the goal of freedom from violence requires violence preventation education at all levels, enlisting men as allies, working to change the behavior of abusers, and advocacy to promote the safety of survivors and hold abusers accountable.

...AND REACHING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH CREATIVITY AND COMPASSION

 “We gave the guys paper masks and asked them to write the traits they think they have to have as men. They said things like ‘aggressiveness,’ ‘women,’ ‘a lot of money.’ Some even put gang signs on their masks. On the inside of the masks, we asked them to write the things they feel they have to hide. They wrote stuff like ‘I like to cook,’ ‘my parents are divorced,’ I’m afraid of the future.’ The mask exercise was emotional and it had a domino effect. The more we all showed our vulnerability, the more vulnerable everyone else became.” Jean Dorelus, summer intern with our Men in the Making program, a partnership with the Skokie Police Department that reaches out to middle school and high school males

 “Now I want to keep myself out of bad situations and be a leader not a follower. That won’t get me anywhere. I’ve learned that I need to be alert to my surroundings and the people around me. I need to surround myself with good energy and positive vibes.” A young man who participated in Men in the Making