YWCA Dayton to honor Hannah's Treasure Chest

YWCA Dayton will honor Hannah’s Treasure Chest for their tireless work to serve children in our community at our Voices Against Violence breakfast on Oct. 4.

The 21st annual Voices Against Violence will be held 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m., Oct. 4, at Sinclair Community College. Voices Against Violence is held annually in October in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month and serves as a platform for both survivors and supporters to be a voice for change.Each October, YWCA Dayton recognizes the strength and resilience of domestic violence survivors and raises funds to support YW’s domestic violence shelters and crisis services, including its 24-hour hotline.

As the only domestic violence shelter provider in Montgomery and Preble counties, YWCA Dayton provides shelter and support every day to more than 100 women and children seeking lives free from abuse.

The Marsha Froelich Survivor Award honors women who embody the spirit of survivorship, resilience, and generosity of the late Marsha Froelich, who died in 2011 and had served as vice president of development at YWCA Dayton from 2000-2006.

“Marsha Froelich was a fearless leader who advocated -- at work and in life -- for the underserved, the women of YW, and those within the community who did not have a voice,” said YWCA Dayton President and CEO Terra Fox Williams. “It is fitting that this award will recognize Hannah’s Treasure Chest for their critical support of children and mothers fleeing domestic violence.”Hannah’s Treasure Chest is the only organization in Southwest Ohio that freely distributes all the items a child might need to grow and thrive from birth to adulthood. 

As committed partners of YWCA Dayton, Hannah’s Treasure Chest has worked tirelessly to serve children and mothers displaced by domestic violence. Survivors with children are able to focus their limited resources on essentials like housing, health care and education, because Hannah’s Treasure Chest is there for them with care packages of diapers, cribs, clothing and more.

As Williams explained: “Women and children living in a domestic violence shelter are navigating a traumatic event. They have often just lost their home and belongings. When these mothers are afraid that they won’t be able to economically provide for their children on their own, that is when they are most vulnerable to deciding to return to a dangerous home. Hannah’s Treasure Chest shows up for survivors at YWCA Dayton just when they need it the most. It’s more than a care package of essential items – it’s a message to mothers letting them know that they have a village of support while they build a new life that’s free from violence.

“We are truly honored that the YWCA is recognizing our work supporting mothers and children leaving abusive homes,” said Deanna Murphy. “At Hannah's Treasure Chest, we provide so much more than the distribution of necessities for children in need. We prioritize the health, safety, and dignity of each child we serve and give them the opportunity to feel seen and valued with every item chosen just for them. The dedicated volunteers and staff at Hannah’s Treasure Chest remain unwaveringly committed to serving vulnerable children in Southwest Ohio.”

As part of the event, YWCA Dayton Children’s Program Manager Asiaonna Eley will provide the keynote address, including the strength of children and mothers living in shelter and the impact Hannah’s Treasure Chest has on the clients we serve.This event is made possible by the support of our generous sponsors. This includes Presenting Sponsor KeyBank, Empowerment Sponsors Fifth Third Bank and Wright-Patt Credit Union, and more. The full list of sponsors and event registration can be found at www.ywcadayton.org/vav. Voices Against Violence is free to attend; monetary donations are encouraged at the event.