Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services

Through its individual counseling, eight different support groups, legal and medical advocacy, and shelter services, the YWCA Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Resource Center makes sure women and children have access to what they need to begin rebuilding their lives.

The YWCA continues to be a driving force for change, especially in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault.

For more information, please click here to view the ways you can contact us. This site is for informational purposes only.

YWCA RECEIVES PART OF $3 MILLION NATIONWIDE GRANT FROM THE MARY KAY FOUNDATION TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN WALLA WALLA

Domestic violence shelters receive much needed cash infusion in light of the economic downturn

WALLA WALLA YWCA Women’s Shelter has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program. The YWCA Women’s Shelter is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will be used to purchase a transport vehicle.

“This grant is such a blessing to the YWCA’s Women’s Shelter in a variety of ways,” said Danielle Hill, Director of Client Services. “Not only does it make up for a deficit in funding this year but gives us hope and strength to continue what we do. Domestic violence continues to be a serious problem and deserves very serious attention. Programs to help families escape violence and homelessness require a lot of resources. That’s why we are so thankful The Mary Kay Foundation is helping us help families in the Walla Walla area.”

The economic climate has not only caused a decrease in donations but can also be attributed to an increase in the need for domestic violence services. In May 2009, Mary Kay’s Truth About Abuse survey of domestic violence shelters across the country revealed some alarming results: three out of four domestic violence shelters report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse since September 2008, a major turning point in the U.S. economy. The survey data directly connects the downturn in the economy to an increase in domestic violence.

“In light of the economic downturn and alarming increases in domestic violence, The Mary Kay Foundation’s mission is more critical than ever before. The YWCA’s Women’s Shelter has helped so many women and their families in the Walla Walla area. We know they will use these funds to benefit even more domestic violence survivors and their children and help end domestic violence,” said Jennifer Cook, The Mary Kay Foundation board member.

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The YWCA of Walla Walla has served small rural communities in the Blue Mountains of Southeastern Washington for 92 years. While our programs and services have changed to meet women’s needs, our mission has never wavered: we exist to eliminate racism and to empower women. When the domestic violence movement made its way to our community in the late 1970s, we realized that our old travelers’ aid structure was exactly the place for the provision of safe, secure, and respectful shelter for women leaving abuse. The women of the YWCA raised the funds needed to bring the building up to code, and they never looked back. Now, the YWCA operates two shelters, serves two counties in Washington and also helps many women fleeing abusive situations in Oregon. We provide domestic violence and sexual assault crisis response and supportive advocacy services to over 600 new clients every year.

About The Mary Kay Foundation
The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded nearly $22 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and $13 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).

shelter wish list

Support groups
Contact: Danielle Hill
(509) 525-2570

Medical and legal advocacy
Contact: Danielle Hill
(509) 525-2570

Crisis services/rape response
(509) 529-9922

Español
Contact: Lorena Ault and Celia Guardado
(509) 525-2570

Enriching the lives of women and their families.
Mission Statement of the YWCA of Walla Walla