December Newsletter
Hope delivered to survivors.
The holidays can be incredibly stressful for those recovering from domestic violence and homelessness.
So each December, YWCA Dayton transforms an otherwise ordinary room into a festive Holiday Market for women, children and families who use our programs, who are free to shop for themselves and their loved ones.
It’s a moment of joy in a difficult season. And it’s a chance for survivors to chose their own gifts at a time when so much choice can feel out of their control.
"Holiday Market creates a space where clients we serve can personally select gifts for their family. It creates access for women who in the past might have had few choices and little access to the holiday experience of shopping and gift giving," said Barbara Ward, Director of Communications & Development at YWCA Dayton. "It is a space that is only possible because of the community coming together with a heart for survivors."
This market is only possible because of the overwhelming support we received from our community donors, from fuzzy blankets, to stress-relief body wash, to a mountain of toys.
Thank you to everyone who helped us give the gift of joy and choice this holiday season, including
Premier Health
CareSource
SVG Motors in Eaton
Pink Moon Goods
Junior League of Dayton
YWCA Dayton Board Member Jenni Frazer
USAF 445TH Reserves Squadron
Dunbar High School Girls Basketball
Grand Girls Assembly Order of Eastern Stars
Fairmont High School
Pink Moon Goods
Moms of Oakwood
Pi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma
Dayton Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
And countless others, including several anonymous donors, who helped make the season brighter at YWCA Dayton.
At one point during the Holiday Market, a one-year-old boy living in one of our shelters visited with his family to pick out a toy, found a new soccer ball, and excitedly ran around holding it up and yelling "ball!" Another day, a YW apartment resident who misses gardening discovered a kit to grow a tomato plant in her room, saying that growing things helps her feel more like herself. And of course, a favorite time of ours is always when we set aside time for children in shelter to shop for gifts to surprise their moms.
"My kids and I enjoyed helping at the Holiday Market," said YWCA Dayton Board Member Jenni Frazer, who volunteered to work at the Holiday Market. "It was meaningful to put faces and context to the clients being served by YWCA, and see the positive interactions between the families and staff. Also, it was priceless seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as they chose gifts for their mom."
YWCA Dayton launches new website
We are pleased to have launched a new website for YWCA Dayton.
Our new site remains at ywcadayton.org but now has been updated with improved information and an easier layout for visitors to navigate. Please take note of the quick escape button on the site, which can be used to quickly exit out of the site if someone enters the room and you do not wish them to see that you are browsing a website with domestic violence information.
We invite you to check out the site! We also welcome your feedback at communications@ywcadayton.org.
Trauma-informed yoga restarts in January
YWCA Dayton's Rape Crisis Center is resuming support groups in January, which are free, confidential, and open to any adult survivor. Virtual options available.
When serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and more, we see how trauma can live in the body — sometimes for years. If you've experienced trauma, we invite you to join us in January for our next cohort of Body Talk: a free and confidential support group with trauma-informed yoga. RSVP via this link or by calling or texting 937-321-6288.
When: 5:30-7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: University of Dayton
Kitchen volunteers wanted
We typically serve 60 women and children each day in our domestic violence shelter and need more volunteers to serve lunch and dinner.
Volunteers receive a background check and commit to a regular dinner or lunch shift, whether that's weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or another schedule that works for you!
Email volunteers@ywcadayton.org to learn more