DVAM 2025: Spokane Shows Up for Survivors
DVAM 2025: Spokane Shows Up for Survivors
Each year, Domestic Violence Action Month (DVAM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the realities of relationship violence while sparking action that builds toward a community free from abuse.
Throughout October, community members, businesses, and organizations across Spokane came together in a show of powerful solidarity with survivors by participating in events, trainings, and awareness activities that made a visible and lasting impact.
This year, YWCA Spokane and our partners blanketed city streets with more than 40 banners, lit buildings purple, installed a survivor-centered art exhibit in Riverfront Park, and distributed thousands of stickers and resource cards through local coffee shops to spark conversation and share vital information.
A Month of Action and Awareness
On October 1, we gathered in Riverfront Park with partner agencies, advocates, and supporters to launch the month and hold a moment of silence for those impacted by domestic violence. The DVAM Community Vigil served as a powerful space for remembrance and collective commitment to ending abuse. Together, we reflected on the role each of us can play in supporting survivors, whether in our workplaces, homes, or communities.
Throughout the month, visitors to Riverfront Park experienced the StoryWalk exhibit, which paired original poetry written by survivors with artwork from local artists and reflective questions designed to spark dialogue about healthy relationships.
View the StoryWalk, Digitally
The exhibit was a powerful coupling of DVAM and National Arts & Humanity Month, using creative mediums to help spread awareness about domestic violence in a powerful yet digestible way. Because the DVAM StoryWalk display ended on Oct 31st, we have created the below digital version so viewers can continue to reflect on the art, poetry, and questions.
Celebrating a Successful DVAM 2025
Memories of a powerful show of support were captured throughout the month. Community members joined together during Domestic Violence Action month to show support for survivors in Spokane. We are so grateful!
- 500+ community members connected with YWCA Spokane through events, agency tours, and trainings
- 9,000+ stickers distributed through local coffee stands
- 40+ awareness banners displayed throughout Spokane
- Across town DVAM billboards let survivors know they aren't alone
- HR Professional coordinated to hold a special training on supporting employees navigating domestic abuse
- CPAs created a custom event bringing financial advisors together to discuss the impact of domestic violence in our community
- Our Threads writing group shared how poetry is helping survivors heal
- Community members learned how to understand and address victim blaming
- Over $1,000 was donated by Indaba Coffee to support YWCA programs
- Lime scooters were wrapped in purple to help spread awareness
- Dozens of boxes of clothing, hygiene items, and more donated to Our Sister’s Closet by Jersey Presents: Underground Circuit X Toadily Wicked Collective
- A survivor and past YWCA Client, Christina Schwartz, released a book about her experience and is donating 20% of proceeds to YWCA Spokane
- Teresa, a YWCA Staff member and past client, shared about her journey of transformation as a mother navigating abuse
Thank you to our DVAM Partners
We are deeply grateful to the many community partners, community members, and local businesses who helped YWCA Spokane spread awareness about relationship abuse, an issue that takes our full community to address. Thank you for standing up for survivors this October.
- Andrea Singer
- The Boulevard
- Christina Schwartz
- Cori Schuman
- Daily Dose
- Daily Habit
- Downtown Spokane Partnership
- Emilija Blake
- First Interstate Bank
- The Garden
- Hanncel Sanchez
- Indaba
- Jersey presents: Underground Circuit X Toadily Wicked Collective
- Lamar
- Lilac City
- Lime
- MulitCare
- Riverfront Park
- She Is Vested
- Shelly O. Haas
- Susan Webber
- Teresa Dixon
- Thread Writing Group
- Tracy Poindexter-Canton
- Wendle
Thank You to our Sponsors
Special thanks to YWCA Spokane's Mission Partner MultiCare and other supporters for making this annual awareness and action campaign possible.
First Interstate Bank
Lime
Lamar Advertising
Garco Construction
Wendle Ford Nissan
Support This Work
When someone finds the courage to call our helpline, that moment of connection can change everything. Each call costs approximately $25 to staff and support, ensuring a trained advocate is available 24/7 with expertise to guide callers toward safety and healing.
During Domestic Violence Action Month, our goal was to raise $50,000 to cover the additional 2,000 calls to our emergency helpline. Your generosity raised over $42,000.
By: Jemma Riedel-Johnson