“Heartbroken”: A Young Female Fan Reacts to Domestic Violence and the NFL

Emma Lytle and her boyfriend, Ricky Martinez, rock their 12th
Man gear! Emma has been a big Seahawks fan since she was little. Photo courtesy of Emma Lytle. — Emma Lytle and her boyfriend, Ricky Martinez, rock their 12th Man gear! Emma has been a big Seahawks fan since she was little. Photo courtesy of Emma Lytle.

Today marks the beginning of the YWCA Week Without Violence, an initiative created by YWCA USA nearly 20 years ago to mobilize people in communities across the United States to take action against all forms of violence, wherever it occurs. In honor of the Week Without Violence, we invited our partners at Seattle University's Project on Family Homelessness to examine the connections between domestic violence and homelessness.

Domestic Violence Housing First Project Gives Survivors Freedom to Choose How to Rebuild Their Lives

When guest blogger Kendra Gritsch thinks of home, she thinks of safety, security, love, and her cat, Miso. For some families, though, home is an unsafe and scary place. And for many women experiencing domestic violence, home is a reason to stay in an abusive relationship. Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children, as victims are often faced with the decision between two dangerous situations: abuse or homelessness. Kendra shares how her organization, the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, collaborates with service providers like the YWCA of Kitsap County to help survivors avoid homelessness and begin rebuilding their lives.

The Night Jane Realized Her Children Were in Danger, We Found Them a Place to Stay. Now the Program That Helped Them Faces Cuts in Olympia.

With just a couple of weeks left in the state legislative session, it’s a critical time to speak up for laws that will help end homelessness. We’re highlighting how state policies affect communities across the state, and sharing simple actions you can take to ensure everybody has the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, affordable home. Today Sarah Foley from YWCA of Spokane, a new member of the Firesteel network, shares a story from her community.

Domestic Violence: Sue’s Story

Sue's former partner seemed like a nice guy at first. When they moved in together, though, the difference was night and day. He beat her so badly that she frequented the emergency room. He completely controlled her finances, and isolated her from her friends and family so she was trapped. On this last day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, hear Sue's story, and find out what you can do to help end the cycle of abuse.

Domestic Violence: Helping Children Heal

Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and families. It also can be incredibly traumatic for children who witness it. Children's advocates from YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish share how they help families heal in today's installment of our monthlong series on domestic violence.

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