Civic Engagement
The Complexities of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) are legal tools designed to offer safety to individuals experiencing domestic violence. While the intention is to offer protection, the legal process can leave survivors feeling disheartened and vulnerable. Understanding these challenges is crucial for anyone navigating the…
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Understanding the Issue In recent years, efforts to address domestic violence have increasingly focused on a critical aspect of safety: removing firearms from perpetrators. The presence of a firearm in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide for women by 500%. On June 21, 2024, the Supreme Court…
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Ahead of our annual Equity for All event on 4/25, we hope to prepare the community for an in-depth conversation on maternal health in Spokane. This blog and Maternal Health in the United States are creating a foundation of knowledge to help orient the community to this issue. In this blog…
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Maternal Health in the United States Each year in the United States, several hundred people die during pregnancy or within one year following giving birth. Thousands of others experience unexpected complications during labor or delivery which can lead to serious short-term or long-term health conditions for both them and their…
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This January, YWCA Spokane CEO, Jeanette Hauck, and the Co-Chair of our Legislative Advocacy Committee and YWCA Director of Grants and Contracts, Liz Backstrom, went to Olympia to participate in DV Advocacy Day 2024. This annual effort is led by the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) and is…
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It was a cold and clear day to reflect and march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy. Through powerful songs and speeches, the rally emphasized the importance of continuing the work that Dr. King started. It’s been over 60 years since Dr. King’s iconic “I Have A…
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Prepare for the General Election November 7th, 2023 Let’s come together as a community to exercise our right to vote and make our voices heard. The future is in our hands, and we have the power to shape it for the better. Remember, YOUR VOICE IS YOUR VOTE! Important Dates: Ballots…
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In an era marked by growing awareness of social inequities and compelling calls for change, the role businesses and corporations have in promoting racial equity and social justice has never been more critical. These sectors have a unique opportunity and responsibility to give back to their communities by deepening their…
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At YWCA Spokane, we have the privilege to invite and inspire activism and engagement toward a world of true equity for all — and we have a responsibility to ensure that is reflected in the names we use. Names are important. Names have the power to invite or to exclude,…
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Every year, our nation celebrates and honors the life and contributions of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Together, we can make MLK Day a day to embody and uphold Dr. King’s legacy. Today, and everyday, we commit ourselves to the work of promoting peace, justice, freedom, and…
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#YWOMENVOTE We’re less than one week away from Election Day on November 8th! YWCA Spokane is making sure their voices are heard and we hope you are too. Take a look through our gallery to see all the reasons why our staff votes! Know Your… Early Voting Options: Absentee, mail-in…
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We’ve been working hard on voter education here at YWCA Spokane – that means knowing WHO can vote, HOW to vote, WHEN to vote, and of course, WHY voting is important. Whomst indeed? Did you know you can still vote with a felony conviction? Your voting rights are automatically restored…
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Court proceedings can be difficult for survivors, through the emotions, barriers, and bureaucracy of the process. RCW 7.105 aims to provide some relief during this process by allowing survivors to receive more support while in court. Support Persons In Court Survivors can now bring a person of their choosing to…
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KEY DATES July 25 | Mail/Online Primary* Election Registration Deadline Aug 2 | In-Person Primary* Election Registration Deadline Aug 2 | Primary* Election Voting (Mail-in must be postmarked no later than 8/02) Oct 23 | Vote Early Day Oct 25 | Mail/Online General Election Registration Deadline Nov 1 | Election…
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In response to an inquiry from a community member, we are sharing a follow-up to our statement on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case to clarify how the Supreme Court of the United States is setting up for future decisions regarding 14th amendment rights and what authority state…
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Recently, the Washington State Legislature enacted a new chapter of the Revised Code of Washington regarding domestic violence. The Revised Code of Washington chapter 7.105 brings new changes to the legal definition of domestic violence (DV) and simplifies the process for getting a DV protection order. This New Expanded Legal…
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Today, the Supreme Court of the United States released an opinion on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This decision overturns Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court case that created safe and legal abortion access in the United States. At YWCA Spokane we stand with survivors and communities…
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YWCA Spokane intentionally supports the health, safety and autonomy of women, girls and marginalized genders. Our national organization, YWCA USA, has supported reproductive rights since 1967, and submitted an amicus brief in the December 2021 case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. Our staff is dedicated to helping people regain their autonomy, safety…
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Keep Up The Momentum After Stand Against Racism Today, we are holding our annual Stand Against Racism event where we are engaging in open, honest dialog with Spokane community members about racial and social justice issues. Over 200 Spokane community members registered to join our free event! We are incredibly…
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In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On January 17th, our nation celebrates and honors the life and contributions of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Although we are not able to rally together or attend the Unity March, we can still embody and uphold Dr. King’s…
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