End the Silence 2018 Recap
This Domestic Violence Action Month was an absolute success! Over 60 organizations and hundreds of community members participated in this month’s efforts. Thank you to our Domestic Violence Action committee for your incredible efforts. A huge thank you to Nicole Nimens, our Education and Outreach Coordinator, for organizing every event and campaign this month! In case you missed any of the events or campaigns, read below to be in the know!
Chalk Walk Mondays
On Mondays throughout the month, community members wrote on sidewalks across Spokane to show support to victims and survivors of domestic violence. Community members also came to YWCA Spokane to bring support to those we serve.
Wednesdays in October- WednesGAY for a Cause
nYne Bar & Bistro hosted us on Wednesdays in October for advocacy tabling to teach the community about Domestic Violence Action Month and healthy relationships! They featured drink and food specials, bingo, Karaoke, and no door fee for everyone to come to enjoy their Wednesdays and help end the silence. 9% of their Wednesday sales went directly to our Domestic Violence Safe Housing & Shelter. We are thankful to nYne for their support of survivors and our mission!
Purple Thursdays
On Thursdays this month, we celebrated DVAM and supporting survivors by wearing purple/decorating homes and offices with purple. We also celebrated with Selfie Signs, where community members wrote messages to survivors and victims and posted them to show their support. GlenDow Academy offered purple hair extensions for just $5 apiece, with all proceeds going directly back to Domestic Violence Action Month efforts, allowing anyone and everyone to show their support in a beautiful way!
Throughout the month of October- Workplace Training and Tabling
The Domestic Violence Action Month committee worked with organizations in the community to give training on what DV and Healthy Relationships look like. Social workers, the VA, and universities all hosted us to learn more about Domestic Violence Action Month and ways that we can prevent domestic violence through practices of healthy relationships. The committee partnered with over 80 organizations throughout Spokane to spread awareness, promote action, and train others on how to become allies for victims and survivors of domestic violence. They facilitated over 15 outreach tablings at events throughout Spokane and Cheney, as well as speeches, panel discussions, and training. To learn about how you can have the prevention team give a training at your organization, contact Nicole Nimens at nicolen@ywcaspokane.org
Throughout the month of October- College Campus Healthy 
Relationship Training
Relationship TrainingOur prevention team visited colleges all over Spokane to talk to students about healthy relationship practices. One of their favorite activities was Healthy Relationship Jenga, where players would take blocks out of the stack, put them on top of the stack, and then answer questions about healthy relationships on each block. Prevention Specialist Rachael McCrady’s favorite question was “How do you think gender stereotypes perpetuate dating violence?” Students had a blast playing and learning about healthy relationships! Thank you to Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane Community College, Gonzaga, WSU Spokane, and Whitworth for hosting us!
Throughout the month of October- End the Silence Cookies
We are thankful to Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop for baking up End the Silence Cookies! They sold cookies for $4 each, with half of the proceeds going directly back to Domestic Violence Action Month efforts. Their cookies were adorable, and we are so grateful to have them as our partner in ending the silence!
October 1- Cupcakes and Champagne
To kick off Domestic Violence Action Month, YWCA Spokane staff, board, and mission partners met at the Steam Plant to remind ourselves why we end the silence. We rewarded the Purple Purse to Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop for their lasting support of YWCA Spokane and survivors of domestic violence. To end the event, the Steam Plant lit the steam stacks purple in support of survivors and victims of domestic violence. See photos from the event here.
October 4- Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon
At our 36th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon, our advocates tabled to teach our guests on Domestic Violence Action Month and ways they can end the silence. Our awards luncheon focused on stories of domestic violence and the ways that the community can come together and work to end domestic violence. See photos from the event here.
October 14- Stop the Silence
Stop the Silence’s Harvest Fundraiser helped support YWCA Spokane, along with NAOMI Community, and Safe Passage Violence Prevention Center. Their fundraiser had live music, food trucks, games, and auctions to support Domestic Violence Action Month efforts. We are so grateful to have their support and partnership in our mission!
October 20- A Recipe for a Healthy We
Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop hosted YWCA Spokane’s Domestic Violence Action Month committee for this family-friendly event aimed to teach the community on healthy relationship practices. Attendees got a free cupcake, took some selfie sign photos, and learned how to prevent domestic violence before it begins.
October 29- Hour of Remembrance
To close out Domestic Violence Action Month, YWCA Spokane staff gathered to honor those we have lost to domestic violence. This event aimed to remind us of the reality of domestic violence; that it is often fatal. As we began the month remembering why we end the silence, we ended the month remembering what happens if no one speaks up and why we must continue to push for action and change within our community.
BEYOnd domestic violence action month
While Domestic Violence Aciton Month focuses on showing supporting during October, domestic violence occurs all year long. We cannot only end the silence one month of the year. We must take action all year long and speak up for those without a voice. Our efforts this month serve as a reminder of all we can do to confront domestic violence, and that we as a community must take action all year long. Together, we will continue to #EndTheSilence.
thank you to our sponsors and partners
Without our sponsors, this year’s EndThe Silence campaign would not have been possible! A huge thank you to Sweet Frostings Blissful Bakeshop, Allstate Purple Purse Foundation, nYne Bar & Bistro, and GlenDow Academy for taking on YWCA Spokane’s mission to end the silence with domestic violence.
Thank you to all those who partnered with us throughout the month! Whether it be partnering through Purple Thursdays, helping us advertise our mission, donation, or advocating with us, your support is what makes this mission possible! Thank you to all who participated in ending the silence!
Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
Allstate Purple Purse Foundation
Communities in Schools of Spokane County
Dynamic Athletic Center Spokane
Eastern Washington University Pride Center
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
New Horizon Care Centers, Inc.
Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane Domestic Violence Coalition
Twigs Martini Bar & Bistro- River Park Square location
Twigs Martini Bar & Bistro- South Hill location
Twigs Martini Bar & Bistro- Wandermere location
Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center
Washington State University Spokane
Washington State University Spokane Student Affairs Diversity Center
Photo Gallery
Check out memorable photos from this year’s End The Silence campaign during Domestic Violence Action Month.
By: Olivia Moorer
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