Support through Crisis
What is CSO Advocacy? For some survivors of domestic violence, the Department of Social Health Services (DSHS) is their first stop while trying to find support for their situation. “It can be hard to navigate these systems for a lot of clients,” says M.E. Martin, YWCA Spokane CSO Advocate. “Many…
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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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I am grateful to be able to share some good news with you today about one of the ways we’re collaborating with law enforcement to prevent senseless violence and protect survivors.
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About Our Sister’s Closet Our Sister’s Closet (OSC) is a free boutique of women’s clothing and necessities. It is available to anyone in the community who could benefit from this resource regardless of gender; clients do not have to prove income level or identify as survivors of intimate partner violence…
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About Mobile Housing Advocacy Everyone deserves safe and stable housing. The housing system is a complex and confusing process with resources and options that are always changing. YWCA Spokane Mobile Housing Advocates are a truly mobile team and meet clients out in the community. They help survivors of intimate partner…
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About DV Support Advocacy YWCA Spokane’s Domestic Violence Support Advocacy creates a welcoming and nonjudgmental space for survivors to unpack the complexities of their situation and feel heard. Through the intake process, Support Advocates listen to what the survivor’s current needs are and offer options. A component of this first…
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Fostering Community at YWCA Safe Shelter It would be hard to talk about YWCA Spokane’s Safe Shelter without talking to Melanie Wilson, Shelter Resource Coordinator, who has been with the agency for over 22 years. When Melanie first started with the agency, she was providing childcare at the shelter. She…
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About Safe Haven YWCA Spokane’s Safe Haven is an on-site classroom that gives kids a space to be kids, while their parents and caregivers access our free programs and services. Safe Haven is a free service open to youth from 6 weeks to 12 years old. Our classroom is stocked…
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About Our Legal Services Interacting with the legal system is a complicated and lengthy undertaking for anyone. The process often takes completing a stack of paperwork and then knowing how to proceed from there. At YWCA Spokane, those served by our legal services are survivors of intimate partner domestic violence…
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Purpose Our Sister’s Closet (OSC) is YWCA Spokane’s free boutique of women’s clothing that is available to anyone in the community who expresses a need. All of the clothing and necessities are generously donated to YWCA by the community. Impact For some of our clients, shopping the closet is the…
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A YWCA Client Story Of Managing Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19 Crisis Kimberly, Lead Community Service Office Advocate at YWCA Spokane, shares with you a wonderful tool one of her clients created to help navigate the stress and anxiety she and her 11-year-old son are experiencing during this uncertain and…
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Continued YWCA Services Available for Survivors During COVID-19 During this pandemic, our services are still available, and our staff are passionate about supporting our community. We know that the stress of all of the unknowns in the current situation we are all facing, the financial hardships that have come up…
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Wide-Ranging Impacts Felt by our Community The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, began to affect humans in November 2019. The first case in the United States was confirmed in January 2020. Governor Inslee announced the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order” on Monday, March 23rd, 2020, and before then, many businesses in Spokane…
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When asked how much community members know about YWCA Spokane free programs, most share their awareness of our wrap-around services for domestic violence victims/survivors, including our safe shelter. What many in Spokane are still unfamiliar with is the array of services we offer that focus on women’s economic empowerment, which…
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Make an impact this week by donating to YWCA Spokane! Our Domestic Violence Safe Shelter is in need of summer survival kits to help kiddos in our shelter have a blast this summer! Providing summer games, swimsuits, lunch items, snacks, sprinklers, and beach towels to our agency makes a huge…
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Content advisory: This blog post discusses domestic violence homicide, including statistics and risk factors, in detail. If you find yourself distressed or triggered by this topic, you may wish to skip this or have a support plan ready for yourself. Our 24-hour helpline is always available if you have questions…
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On May 17, YWCA Spokane hosted an Address Confidentiality Program Training to teach our advocates about the program and how to become certified to help survivors be safe in their homes. What is Address Confidentiality Program? The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is part of a safety plan that gives survivors…
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At Our Shelter, We Recognize Pets As A Part Of Your Family! For nearly 20 years, YWCA Spokane’s domestic violence safe shelter has provided a safe place for domestic violence survivors and their pets while connecting them to community resources. Aligned with federal Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, our…
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We Are Excited To Share With You The Newly Remodeled Family Justice Center Interview Room! From This… To This! A Trauma-Informed & Welcoming Space Now, when survivors of intimate partner…
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How To Help A Friend Experiencing Domestic Violence When your friend or family member is in an abusive relationship, it can be incredibly difficult to navigate how to support them. Between keeping yourself safe and healthy, not wanting to make the situation worse, and feeling uncertain of your place in…
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