Donors raise their paddles at the YWCA’s 2024 fundraiser at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. This year’s event takes place May 9.
aged 6 months through 2 years, opened in Healdsburg with a ribbon- cutting in September 2024. “We’re so proud of that location,” says O’Connell, explaining that the city chose the YWCA in a competitive process, and the facility has beautiful classrooms at a central location. Helping hands As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the YWCA relies on financial assistance in order to offer services. People don’t pay for domestic violence services, but it’s an expensive program to run and staff. Substantial funding comes from the California Office of Emergency Services, and a grant writer looks for opportunities to apply for grants, but a funding gap still exists. “We appeal to the community for financial support,” says O’Connell, who adds that individual donors contribute because they appreciate the work the YWCA is doing in Sonoma County and want it to continue. Volunteers also are essential to the YWCA’s operations and must commit to a 40-hour domestic violence curriculum, which is significant for members of the community. However, says O’Connell, “Our program integrity is so important to us that we need to be sure our volunteers are comfortable and properly trained when they’re working with victims of trauma, because they have unique and special needs.” The Sonoma County Family YMCA—Young Men’s Christian
Association—is unrelated to the YWCA Sonoma County, but the organizations have a common interest in healthy families and a cordial relationship. In November 2024, the YMCA held a warm blanket drive for the YWCA’s safe house, and the year before, it collected coats for shelter residents. "At the YMCA, we are committed to building strong communities, and a safe community is the foundation of that strength. Supporting the YWCA’s efforts to help victims of domestic violence aligns with our shared goal of creating a safer, more compassionate place for everyone to thrive," says CEO Matthew Henry. O’Connell is grateful for all the help. “We have such an important role. It’s so vital and singular. So many charities lift up the community, but we really offer such a unique perspective to so many people who are impacted by domestic violence,” she says. And, she adds, “When you know you’re doing something that means something, you’re more dedicated to it than ever. This community needs the YWCA, and we’ll be here as long as they do.” The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey is viewable online at cdc.gov/nisvs/documentation/ NISVSReportonIPV_2022.pdf. g
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Victims of domestic violence can call the YWCA’s crisis hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get help: 707-546-1234. To find out more about domestic violence and the services YWCA Sonoma County offers, go to ywcasc.org . Information in English and Spanish provides tools for people to recognize domestic violence and what’s healthy and what isn’t. A quick escape feature on the righthand side of the page allows victims to exit the site quickly if they need to avoid being caught by abuser. Crisis Hotline
36 NorthBaybiz
January 2025
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