October 1, 2025 | 5:30–6:30 PM | Riverfront Spokane, Snxw Meneɂ Amphitheater

Spokane, WA – On Wednesday, October 1st, the Spokane community will come together for a Community Vigil to honor the lives lost to domestic violence, celebrate the strength of survivors, and stand united in a call to end abuse. The vigil will be held from 5:30–6:30 PM at the Snxw Meneɂ Amphitheater in Riverfront Spokane and is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to wear purple in solidarity with survivors.

The vigil marks the official launch of Domestic Violence Action Month (DVAM) in Spokane, a month dedicated to awareness, education, and action. Following the vigil, community members will be invited to walk through a new StoryWalk exhibit, featuring survivor poetry paired with local artwork. This installation, available throughout October, is designed to spark meaningful conversations about healthy and unhealthy relationships.

The evening will include remarks from Mayor Lisa Brown, Jeanette Hauck, YWCA Spokane CEO, and representatives from local organizations providing vital support to survivors, including:

• Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services
• Lutheran Community Services Northwest
• Mujeres in Action Spokane
• Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition
• Stop the Silence Spokane
• Yoyot Sp’q’n’i

“Domestic violence is not a private issue; it’s a community issue that requires a collective response,” said Jeanette Hauck, CEO of YWCA Spokane. “Spokane’s rates remain among the highest in Washington. This vigil reminds us that survivors are not alone, and together, we can create a safer future for everyone.”

Why it matters:

• Spokane County continues to have one of the highest reported rates of domestic violence in Washington.
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men in Spokane county will experience domestic violence, according to the Spokane Regional Health District.
• YWCA Spokane’s 24-hour helpline is on track to receive nearly 6,000 calls this year, 2,000 more than last year.

Event Details:

• What: Community Vigil for Survivors – Honoring Lives, Calling for Change
• When: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 5:30–6:30 PM
• Where: Snxw Meneɂ Amphitheater, Riverfront Spokane (617 N Howard St)
• Cost: Free and open to the public (registration encouraged at ywcaspokane.org/dvam2025vigil)
• Attire: Guests are encouraged to wear purple for domestic violence awareness

Thank you to our DVAM sponsors MultiCare, Lime, First Interstate Bank, Lamar Advertising, Garco Construction, and Wendle Nissan Ford.

For more information about the vigil, the StoryWalk, and additional ways to take action during Domestic Violence Action Month, visit ywcaspokane.org/2025dvam.

About YWCA Spokane

Since 1903, YWCA Spokane has been helping members from the Spokane community overcome social, economic, and personal barriers in order to accomplish their goals and achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives. Today, our areas of focus include supporting victims of intimate partner domestic violence, building economic empowerment, promoting early childhood education, and confronting racial and social justice issues that negatively affect our clients and our community.

YWCA Spokane envisions a community in which domestic violence is no longer tolerated, and embraces this vision through a continuum of wrap-around services: 24-hour Helpline and Safe Shelter, Advocacy Support Center, Mental Health Services, Child & Family Therapy, Civil Legal Assistance, Legal Advocacy, Economic Empowerment, and free Drop-In Childcare.

In 2024, YWCA Spokane impacted the lives of over 14,000 individuals, children, and families. By working at the intersections of inequality, poverty, and domestic violence, we are able to disrupt longstanding societal patterns of trauma. Visit our website to learn more at ywcaspokane.org.