DVAM 31 Day Challenge

Challenge runs October 1 – 31, 2021

There are many ways to get involved this October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).

The YWCA invites everyone to get TAKE ACTION and raise funds to support DV Services in Central Massachusetts by participating in our DVAM 31 Day Challenge.

Show your support for survivors and speak out against domestic violence all month long. Ask your family and friends to make a donation in support of your commitment to explore the issue of domestic violence. For your copy of our DVAM 31 Day Challenge calendar visit ywcacm.org.

Together, let’s raise $10,000 to prevent domestic violence and build a healthy generation.

Click HERE to start!

Start a Fundraiser:

To become a fundraiser and create your own page, click Start Fundraising. You’ll be asked to sign-up and create an account. Next, you’ll be asked “What Are You Doing?” Click on Start. On next page Select DVAM 31 Day Challenge. Answer questions. Click Create Your Page. Now you can Share with Friends and Start Fundraising. Thank You!

To Take Action, click HERE to download the DVAM 31 Day Challenge calendar or bookmark this page.

31 Days of Action

Gardner Candlelight Vigil: Join YWCA Central Massachusetts, Voices of Truth, and the City of Gardner on Monday, October 4, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. outside City Hall as we honor those who’ve lost their lives to domestic violence in our community during a special candlelight vigil and Proclamation reading.

Worcester Candlelight Vigil: Join YWCA Central Massachusetts and the City of Worcester on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. outside City Hall as we honor those who’ve lost their lives to domestic violence in our community during a special vigil and Proclamation reading. The event will conclude with the raising of the purple flag.

Light It Up Purple: Display a purple light outside your residence to show your support for survivors and spread awareness of domestic violence throughout the month of October.

Educate Yourself: While much of DVAM focused on heterosexual relationships, members of the LGBTQ+ community face instances of domestic violence at equal or higher rates. Lear more: https://bit.ly/3kTW58H

Share Resources: Domestic violence services are designed to meet the needs of survivors and their children whose lives are affected by interpersonal violence. All services are confidential, free of charge, and can be accessed by calling the 24-hour helpline at 508-755-9030, or by using our chat line: www.ywcahelp.com. Share our resources on your favorite social media platform.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes: “You can’t understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” Invite a male to walk a mile (or around the house) in heels and reflect on the experience. Consider how gendered crimes affect you, your relationships, and your community.

Video Watch List: Today we encourage you to watch a video to learn about the realities of domestic violence. Check out recommended videos here: https://bit.ly/2YdQqBQ

Educate Yourself: Today is Indigenous Peoples Day. Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, homicide, stalking, and sex trafficking disproportionately affect Indigenous women. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3F6khg5

Purple Pumpkins: Use this fall favorite to bring more awareness to such an important cause. Paint or decorate your pumpkin purple then display it outside and share it with your friends on social media.

Join the Conversation: Start a conversation: What does a healthy relationship look like to you?

Art as Healing: Join YWCA and Creative Hub Worcester as they host a special craft night featuring build your own fairy or elf gardens. Limited one per family. Refreshments provided. Register here: https://bit.ly/2Y5WGLC

Empty Place at the Table: Empty Place at the Table is a traveling tribute of remembrance that honors those who have lost their lives to domestic violence during the past year in Massachusetts. The names of every victim are inscribed onto each place setting, a powerful display of the family memories that will be missed. The display will be at YWCA through November 1.

Worcester Public Library Book List: Stop by the Worcester Public Library to check out their DVAM book list featuring titles such as Ruby Fruit Jungle, Milk & Honey, Born a Crime, and more!

DVAM Book List: This month, the Domestic Violence Services teams curated a special Domestic Violence Awareness Month reading list to raise awareness and educate around domestic violence. Check it out: https://bit.ly/2YdQqBQ

A Week Without Violence: Help us raise awareness about gender-based violence and support for survivors by taking a Week Without Violence campaign selfie using one of our fillable signs. Print a sign here: https://bit.ly/3jZ5zMX

Leominster Silent Walk: Join YWCA, Spanish American Center, and the Leominster and Fitchburg Police Departments to honor the victims and survivors of domestic violence in the North Central community. We will meet outside the Leominster Police Department and then march to Leominster City Hall where the Leominster proclamation against domestic violence will be read.

Imagine a World Without Violence: Join YWCA USA Interim CEO and COO, Elisha Rhodes and a very special guest, for an engaging Facebook Live on October 20, as they have an intimate conversation about violence against women and how we can collectively advocate for the support and resources that survivors and communities need to feel empowered as they move beyond just surviving to thriving. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3D53w2Y

Wear Purple: Today is National Domestic Violence Awareness Day. Wear the color purple to show support to survivors and raise awareness for domestic violence in your community.

Trauma-Informed Yoga: This beginner class does not focus on technique, rather on being present, exploring emotions, and building a stronger mind-body connection. This practice focuses on using the power of your body and strives to create a safe space through hands-off classes, low or no music, and a soft, calming environment. Register here: https://bit.ly/2Y5WGLC

Educate Yourself: Financial abuse occurs in 99% domestic violence cases. But, the signs aren’t always that obvious. Learn about financially abusive behaviors survivors might face here: https://bit.ly/3ioGPz7

Start A New Podcast: Check out the Domestic Violence Service’s teams top 5 podcasts to check out this month: https://bit.ly/2YdQqBQ

Daybreak Breakfast: The Daybreak Breakfast is designed to educate, motivate and inspire people to build safe communities by raising awareness of domestic violence, supporting survivors and promoting healthy relationships. Register here: https://bit.ly/3lBNd6z

Join the Conversation: Start a conversation: What does respect mean to you in a relationship? (physical respect, verbal respect, emotional/psychological respect/sexual respect).

What Would You Do? Bystander Intervention: Pop Culture Edition! What would you do if you saw a family member or friend being mistreated by their significant other? Would you step in or walk away? What is the right thing to do, and what is safest for you and for them? Join us as we use popular TV shows and movies to dive head-first into these situations and explore possible actions and outcomes. Register here: https://bit.ly/2Y5WGLC

Educate Yourself: Every day we provide direct and comprehensive support to survivors, and work to create community solutions that prevent domestic violence and promote healthy relationships. Visit ywcac.org to learn more about our work.

Define Your Personal Boundaries: Personal boundaries are the limits we set for ourselves as individuals in relationships, they protect our sense of personal identity and help guard against being overwhelmed by the demands of others. Today we encourage you to examine the boundaries you set in your relationships. Take the quiz: https://bit.ly/33wUjS1

Keep in Touch: Domestic violence doesn’t end after October is over. There is still so much work to be done. Stay connected the YW and help us support survivors year-round. sign up for our e-newsletter here: http://bit.ly/2QFIEZK

DVAM Playlist: This month, the Domestic Violence Services teams curated a special Domestic Violence Awareness Month playlist to inspire, empower, and send hope to survivors in our community. Check it out: https://spoti.fi/3imoHpo

What Does the Fundraiser Support?

100% of the net proceeds from the DVAM 31 Day Challenge supports YWCA programming, including victim services and community education.

Survivor Services: YWCA’s domestic violence services are designed to meet the needs of individuals and families whose lives have been affected by intimate partner violence. Services include: support groups, individual counseling, emergency shelter, referrals to community resources, safety planning, crisis intervention, and court advocacy. Family and friends of victims also have access to services.
Community Education: YWCA offers violence prevention services for youth, teens and adults in the Central Massachusetts area. Violence prevention services educate the community by equipping individuals with the skills to resist violence and abuse and promote non-violent interaction. Programs aim to teach skills that can protect people from violence and abuse, change attitudes about violence, provide resource information, and encourage young people to talk to a trusted adult when in fear of being harmed.

DVAM 31 Day Challenge