Week Without Violence - 2021
BEYOND RESILIENCE
FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING
Week Without Violence is part of a global movement with YWCAs across the country and around the world to end violence against women and girls. For more than 20 years, we have set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence – a week to raise awareness and engage in action to end the broad spectrum of violence.This year, we invite you to join us from October 18 – 23, as we move beyond resilience, helping lead women and girls from just surviving to thriving. During this year’s campaign, we recognize the limits and honor the significance of resilience in surviving violence but aim to collectively work towards healing and building thriving futures for survivors which also includes replenishment, rest, and recovery.
Monday, October 18th:
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 and/or making a donation! Your donation will strengthen the network of resources in our community, and prevent victims from going unrecognized altogether. Don't forget to @mention us @YWCAofAsheville on Facebook and @YWCAofAVL and Instagram and hashtag #WWV21Join us at a Prevention Task Force Information and Resources info session. Our local partners will join us at the YWCA (185 S. French Broad) from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm to share resources, answer questions and offer you an opportunity to pledge your support.Stop by and see us!
Tuesday, October 19th:
Our child care programs have been hard at work envisioning what a world without violence looks like. Join us outside at the YWCA on our hall of windows to the right of our main entrance and see artwork from our childcare students depicting what they imagine "A World Without Violence" looks like.Children at Roots & Wings, School of Art and Design, are also creating collaborative art pieces, follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see their creations.Day of Action. Capitol Hill Call-In Day – This Capitol Hill Call-In Day, we invite you to engage your Members of Congress bytaking action online; calling your legislators; and engaging with these discussions on social media, using the hashtag #WWV21 to tweet at your Member of Congress.
Wednesday, October 20th:
For a long time, the color purple has been designated as the color representing survivors of violence. Today we encourage everyone to wear purple in order to draw awareness to gender-based violence and to stand with survivors. If you are feeling bold, please share a picture of you wearing purple on social media! Don't forget to tag us @YWCAofAsheville on Facebook and @YWCAofAVL and Instagram and hashtag #WWV21Darkness to Light Training: The YWCA of Asheville is hosting a Stewards of Children, in-person, Darkness to Light training from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm in our Multipurpose Room.
Facilitated by Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Darkness to Light provides training to any individual on recognizing the signs of child sexual abuse. Recognizing the signs can ensure that a child receives the support they deserve. Child sexual abuse is likely the most prevalent health problem children face, with the most serious array of consequences. In fact, 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday.This means that whether you work with youth, are a parent, or are simply a member of a community, it is highly likely that someone you know or care for has experienced, or is currently experiencing, child sexual abuse. It’s going to happen whether you are prepared to deal with it or not – unless you stop it from happening. And the good news, it can be stopped.Click here to SIGN Up
Virtual Event: Visit YWCA USA on Facebook and join 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.
Thursday, October 21st:
Join us for a Virtual Site Visit of local providers. This event explores “Reimagining the Role of Resilience” with our panelists - Nationally, the YWCA is the largest network of domestic and sexual violence services providers in the U.S. Here in Asheville and Buncombe County, this work is spearheaded by a number of wonderful organizations that are supporting survivors of violence.Join us at 12 pm on Thursday, 10/21 for “Reimagining the Role of Resilience,” a Zoom panel discussion featuring our local network of service providers. Learn about these organizations and the resources they provide in our community for those experiencing violence. Together, we will dive into Reimagining the Role of Resilience.Participating organizations include:
Friday, October 22th:
Let's talk about resilience! YWCA of Asheville CEO, Diana Sierra joins Sonia Kay, YWCA MotherLove Coordinator, Debra Kiliru, ED of Light a Path, and Sybriea Lundy from Light a Path to discuss the work of both organizations, how it overlaps and how resilience plays a role. We must move beyond resilience, from surviving to thriving. Let's explore how providers and participants are tapping into resilience and where we see the need for services to move beyond.Join us via Facebook @ywcaofasheville to join at noon on 10/22Click to watch recording
Saturday, October 23th: #SelfCareSaturday.
Service providers, advocates, and activists in the fight to end gender-based violence all care deeply about these issues, and about the survivors, they help each and every day. Unfortunately, this work can also cause vicarious trauma for individuals as they work with survivors who have undergone serious trauma or can retraumatize individuals who are survivors themselves.Taking the time to engage in healing and self-care as a provider, advocate, activist, or survivor is an integral part of your own mental and physical well-being and will help make you an even more powerful advocate for your causes and clients.Our partners at Light a Path have put together a wonderful class, free of charge for our community so we can all practice some self-care at the end of this heavy week.
Mindful Movement at 2:30 pm
Create space in the body with this 45-minute beginner-friendly yoga class. We will explore gentle poses that link breath with movement to target the overall being. Experience a flow that will leave you feeling grounded and refreshed. *Masks and registration are required
Located in the Multipurpose Room, please use the outdoor entrance to the left of our main entrance.light a path's youtube channel offering several virtual classes
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