OCTOBER 2021

Dear Friend,

If you’re like me, newspaper headlines have a way of shaking me free from the other concerns of my day. Whether they arrive in print at my doorstep or as alerts on my screen, sentiments like these are disturbing. Locally and nationally, one thing is clear; domestic violence is impacting our community in a way that cannot be ignored.

Calls to YWCA’s 24/7 Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline are on the rise. Equally of note is the increased complexity and acuity of the situations callers are sharing with our team. Safety planning and strategies to ensure relief are at the forefront of every call we receive. YWCA’s vital and singular role in our community has never been more evident. Established in 1975, YWCA’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline, the only one in Sonoma County, is still the most direct path to support for families in need. Our confidential Safe House shelter is the only one for families seeking refuge from harm.

Your support is crucial to our efforts. Together, we can provide a future without violence for every family in need.

Warmly,
Madeleine Keegan O’Connell
Chief Executive Officer