Our Motto Is Resilience: A Note from Kathleen's Desk

Oct 2

Written By

Dear Friends,October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Through our work, we know that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be a victim of intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. Domestic violence isn’t just a black eye, it can also be manipulation, isolation, financial exploitation, threatening to take away children, and so much more. While this is an incredibly complex and systemic issue, at YWCA Northeast Kansas, we are here to meet victim-survivors where they are to ensure that they remain safe and supported.We’ve recently started asking the staff at YWCA Northeast Kansas about who and what inspires them the most in our work in the community. In listening to their stories, time and time again staff from across the agency uttered the same key word: resiliency.It takes resiliency to be a survivor and to become a thriver. It takes resiliency to continually speak your truth in the face of adversity. It takes resiliency to educate and care for our community’s children. It takes resiliency to overcome systemic violence and institutional oppression in any form.With your help, we are confident that we can put an end to gender-based violence once and for all. Show your support for survivors during our Week Without Violence October 13 through 19, 2019. Highlights include:

Fall Network Lunch: Gender Justice Is Social Justice will feature special guest Jay Pryor. In the transgender community, a 2015 national study found that 54% experienced some form of intimate partner violence, including acts involving coercive control and physical harm (NCTE, 2016).
Domestic Violence in Indian Country will take place at the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Bingo Hall, addressing the staggering statistic that 55.5% of Native women experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetimes; 66.6% experience psychological abuse (NCADV, 2019). This event invites all to attend, regardless of background.
Still a Fan: The NFL and Domestic Violence will feature a panel discussion of experts navigating our love for the sport while recognizing the link with assault and violence. And of course, the discussion will be followed by the Chiefs vs. Broncos watch party at Iron Rail Brewing!
Finally, make your voice heard by attending our annual March and Rally on Friday, October 18th.

Together, we can end gender-based violence.In solidarity for a strengthened community, Kathleen MarkerYWCA CEOCheck out our noteworthy news from last month: