Although home is supposed to be a sanctuary, it can often serve as a prison to individuals who are victims of domestic violence. The good news is that our society as a whole recognizes this problem, and resources are available for victims who need help.

But it wasn’t always this way.

During the early 1970s, domestic violence remained largely ignored in the legal, medical, and social fields. In fact, family violence in all forms, including child abuse, was largely dismissed. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the little research that existed on domestic violence at the time suggested that abuse was rare and that victims often provoked their own abuse or that it was the product of mental illness or a psychological disorder. No real statistics existed, and domestic violence wasconsidered a “private matter” to be kept hidden within households. During this time period, victims foundthemselves with little social support and no place to go.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 1412

Evansville, IN 118 Vine StreetEvansville, IN 47708812.422.1191ywcaevansville.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

For more information about the YWCA, or to make an online donation, please visitwww.ywcaevansville.org.

Join the YWCA in the �ght to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice and freedom for all!

��������������������������������� ������������������

SUMMER 2019��������������������������

Over the course of the next decade, interest in domestic violence in our country significantly shifted, largely due to the growth of the women’s movement overall. Anoutpouring of feminist activism quickly drew the attention of law enforcement, social service leaders, and government officials. By the end of the 1970s, many groups undertook the work of addressing domestic violence. At last, victims were no longer invisible.

A trailblazer in this arena, YWCA Evansville opened our area’s first domestic violence shelter in 1979. “The YWCA worked with our local Battered Women’s Coalition and other groups to begin offering much-needed services in our area, including safe shelter,” says Erika Taylor, YWCA CEO. “We were at the forefront of this movement,alongside much larger cities. Our opening in 1979reflected the progressiveness of our citizens at a time when the rights of women were only beginning to gainmomentum nationally.”

Today—40 years later—the YWCA continues serving as a beacon of hope to victims and their children. Safe shelter is just the beginning. Our 24-hour crisis hotline is open 365 days a year to provide support, information, and referrals to callers in a multi-county area. Our in-shelter services include legal advocacy, children’s programming, support groups, outreach activities, and connections to community assistance. We help victims understand the cycle of violence, types of abusive behavior, safety planning, and housing options once they leave our facility.

“Our well-rounded shelter meets the unique needs of each individual client,” adds Erika Taylor. “We are proud to be a place of healing to hundreds of victims and their children every year. We have set the bar high locally in terms of domestic violence service delivery, and we commemorate 40 years of making a true difference in our community.”

July 1

5, 2

01

9 | A

ll Day | H

aciend

a East | 9

90

S Green

River R

dH

acienda G

ive Back D

ay

Au

gu

st 21

, 20

19

| 11

:30

AM

| YW

CA

| 11

8 V

ine St

WI$E U

P: “Ho

w C

an I Create M

y Legacy”

Au

gu

st 23

, 20

19

| Old

Natio

nal Events P

lazaW

om

en’s Equality D

ay Luncheon

Septem

ber 1

8, 2

01

9 | 1

0:3

0 A

M | O

ld N

ation

al Events Plaza

19th Annual Y

WC

A Leg

acy of Style Luncheo

n

Octo

ber 1

-31

, 20

19

The Clo

thesline Project

Octo

ber 1

-31

, 20

19

Chalk it U

p to

Aw

areness

Octo

ber 1

4-1

8, 2

01

9Y

WC

A W

eek Witho

ut Vio

lence

Octo

ber 1

6, 2

01

9 | A

ll Day | Evan

sville & N

ewb

urg

h Lo

cation

sA

zzip Pizza G

ive Back D

ay

No

vemb

er 12

, 20

19

| 11

:30

AM

| YW

CA

| 11

8 V

ine St

WI$E U

P: “Year-End Planning

and C

haritable G

ifting Strateg

ies”

No

vemb

er 21

, 20

19

| 10

:30

AM

| Evansville C

ou

ntry Clu

b9th A

nnual YW

CA

“Tastes and Treasures” H

olid

ay Luncheon

Please visit our w

ebsite,

ww

w.yw

caevansville.org

, or call the

YW

CA

(812) 422-1191 for d

etailsand

upd

ates on all o

f our events.

��������

����

����

This 1973 ad, excerpted from Ms. magazine, is shocking in today’s world. Over the last few decades, notable advancements have been made with regard to domestic violence and its effect on entire communities. The YWCA has had a profound impact locally on this issue through our shelter, crisis hotline, and outreach activities.

YW

CA

Bo

ard

of

Dir

ecto

rs Executive CommitteeDavena Day - PresidentDenise Johnson-Kincaid - President-ElectJennifer Briggs - Vice PresidentAnn Ryan - SecretaryMichelle Smith - TreasurerMartha GoldmanDanyelle GrangerJennifer MooreSherrianne Standley

Andrea BackesAshley BartholomewDionne BlueJill ButtryAlma DabrowskiRanda DallasRachel DierlamClaire DuniganDora FeagleyRachel FergusonNancy McClearyHeather McNabbLisa MitsdarfferChristen MogaveroCathy NestrickAlyssia OshodiMonica OwensJill RawleyOlivia RobinsonSloane StandleyLisa VaughanLaNeeca Williams

Emeritae CouncilIsabella Fine*Nancy GauntPhyllis Igleheart*Dee Dee LeitchRuth McMillen*Virginia SchroederJoann Schwentker *deceased

On May 2, 2019, YWCA Evansville celebrated the life and accomplishments of Jean DentonBrubeck at the 30th annual Tribute toAchievement. Jeanie was truly an agent of change whose talents benefited manyorganizations including the YWCA. Many felt the void left by her unexpected passing last summer thus the evening was full of small tributes to Jeanie’s legacy. Guests enjoyed one of her favorite meals, chicken tetrazzini, heard tales of her travels and adventures, reminisced on her chic sense of style, and learned of her knack for late night phone calls through the words of Nancy Hartley Gaunt and a video compilation of memories from some of her closest friends. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke also declared May 2, 2019 Jean Denton Brubeck Day and presented her family an official proclamation.

Following dinner and the much anticipated tradition of beautiful and delicious cakecenterpieces, Live Y’ers seniors were presented with their Berkley Ann Branson Young Women of Promise scholarships. Guests were then given the opportunity to support the annual Y-Wish auction to help the YWCA repair interiordamages caused from our leaky roof. Proceeds from this event help fund YWCA programs including our domestic violence shelter, YES! residential recovery program, and the Live Y’ers after school and mentoring program. Special thanks to our guests and supporters who helped make the 2019 Tribute to Achievement event an evening to remember.

������������������������a recap ������������������������������������

SAVE THE DATE!1 TH ANNUAL YWCA

LEGACYOFLUNCHEON & FASHION SHOWPRESENTED BY

G A L L E R I A

T H EDIAMOND

BER 18 · DOORS OPEN 10:30AM · OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA

HELP US MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS BY BEING A

TABLE CAPTAINFIND OUT MORE BY CONTACTING ERIKA @ THE YWCA812-422-1191 OR ETAYLOR@YWCAEVANSVILLE.ORG

Seeking exciting silentauction items!

BENEFITTING THE BERKLEY ANN BRANSONYOUNG WOMEN OF PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDAND THE YWCA’S PROGRAMS

WE ARE ALSO

Gather a group of 8 to 10 friends and join us! You, your business, or your employer can sponsor a table, or each guest

Throughout its 40 years of service to the community, the YWCA domestic violence shelter has provided support and services to countless women and children. Among the most vulnerable clients are the children who witness violence in their homes. Realizing the need to serve these clients, the YWCA established the children’s program in the summer of 1990 as a source of hope and healing for the youngest YWCA residents.

“Children certainly experience trauma in witnessing violence at home, and we give them an opportunity to process and express their feelings,” said Cindy Allega, YWCA Child Therapist. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “One in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence

����������������������������������� �

���������������

each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses.” Allega explained that many mothers do not realize their children are “witnesses” even if they are not in the same room with the fighting parents. “The aftershocks of abuse—bruises, a hole punched in a wall, a withdrawn mother—are also ways the children are exposed to the behavior,” said Allega. The resulting effects on the youngsters are varied and profound.

“Many of these children experience fear,” said Allega. “They see the people they love the most abusing each other. There is constant anxiety because the children know how explosive things can become and how quickly.” Children also feel a range of emotions including:

Guilt “It’s my fault that my parents argue or fight.” Children think they caused the abuse or should have prevented it.

Loneliness “Nothing like this is happening in anyone else’s home.” Children often feel alone in their experiences. They feel different and as if something is wrong at their house. Children may feel the need to keep violence a family secret. The family is not a predictable safe place for friends, and children feel embarrassed by their parental fights.

Confusion “I don’t understand why my dad hits my mom.” Children can love the abuser but not like the behavior. Children can also be traumatized by the abuser’s behavior while simultaneously starved for their approval.

Helplessness “I don’t know what to do, how to protect my mom or whom I can trust to tell.” Children often have an urgent desire to help their mother but may be paralyzed by fear. They hope to be the peace-keeping force and long desperately for the power to make the incident stop.

Not surprising, many children of domestic violence take their childhood experiences to their own relationships when they become adults. Unless the children are given alternatives, violence and power are the familiar ways to deal with anger. The good news is that most of the children have incredible resilience, according to Allega. “Along with the sadness, fear, and pain from emotional wounds, children are also tough, intelligent, creative, imaginative, and quick thinking in a crisis. We hope all children leave our program knowing that there are things they can do to protect themselves. We teach them to have a safety plan in place (including instruction on how to make a 911 call) and give them constructive ways to express anger,” said Allega.

The YWCA children’s program is housed in two child friendly rooms and uses books, toys, interactive games, and other tools to help children deal with conflicts, resolve tension, and feel better about coming from an environment they often cannot control. Children receive one-on-one talk time and play therapy in addition to group sessions to boost their self-confidence and knowledge. Tutoring and homework help is also available with Deveta Miller from EVSC.

While the program has evolved over the past 19 years to meet the needs of children, the aim is still the same. According to Allega, the program is “an incredible opportunity to help children begin the healing process during their stay at the YWCA. Children have a remarkable capacity for healing which is evident in the incredible progress of our youngest clients.”

Cindy Allega & Deveta Miller

Cindy Allega with YWCA children's program clients

DONORSPOTLIGHTTeam Wells braved the wind and rain to completely transform our front entrance in May. Wells Orthodon-tics designed, donated, and beauti�ed the landscap-ing that was badly in need of some love. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and look forward to showing o� our new front entrance to YWCA clients and guests.

We cannot thank our friends at Gerling Law enough for their generosity. YWCA sta� recently noticed the toys and games in our YES! recovery residential lounge were aging and worn. The team at Gerling Law did not hesitate to stock the shelves with brand new games and bright new toys for our youngest residents to enjoy!

The YWCA is proud to be the pilot agency in Evansville for Hopefull Handbags, a non-pro�t agency based in Florida that provides gently-used purses and personal care items to homeless and underserved women. Shown is AmyPritchett, who is coordinating the program locally. She visited the YWCA recently to drop o� the inaugural grouping of handbags, which were �lled with shampoo, umbrellas, bus tokens, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and many other useful items. Pritchett hopes to expand the program in the coming months and involve civic groups,individuals, students, and area businesses.

Jenna Smith with TownPlace Suites by Marriott recently delivered welcome kits, towels, washcloths, and clothing to stock our shelves. Jenna and her team assembled welcome kits as their annual service project during Marriott’sanniversary week.

THANK YOUto the Evansville Otters for a fun and exciting evening of baseball. YWCA Evansville was honored to sponsor “A League of Their Own” night on Saturday, May 11, 2019 during opening weekend for the Otter’s 25th season. Maddox Beasley and Emilee Edwards threw out the first pitches and the Otters wore themed jerseys with the YWCA Evansville logo on the sleeve. Special thanks to our supporters who braved the blustery weather to enjoy a night of baseball in support of YWCA programs.

DONORSPOTLIGHTTeam Wells braved the wind and rain to completely transform our front entrance in May. Wells Orthodon-tics designed, donated, and beauti�ed the landscap-ing that was badly in need of some love. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and look forward to showing o� our new front entrance to YWCA clients and guests.

We cannot thank our friends at Gerling Law enough for their generosity. YWCA sta� recently noticed the toys and games in our YES! recovery residential lounge were aging and worn. The team at Gerling Law did not hesitate to stock the shelves with brand new games and bright new toys for our youngest residents to enjoy!

The YWCA is proud to be the pilot agency in Evansville for Hopefull Handbags, a non-pro�t agency based in Florida that provides gently-used purses and personal care items to homeless and underserved women. Shown is AmyPritchett, who is coordinating the program locally. She visited the YWCA recently to drop o� the inaugural grouping of handbags, which were �lled with shampoo, umbrellas, bus tokens, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and many other useful items. Pritchett hopes to expand the program in the coming months and involve civic groups,individuals, students, and area businesses.

Jenna Smith with TownPlace Suites by Marriott recently delivered welcome kits, towels, washcloths, and clothing to stock our shelves. Jenna and her team assembled welcome kits as their annual service project during Marriott’sanniversary week.

THANK YOUto the Evansville Otters for a fun and exciting evening of baseball. YWCA Evansville was honored to sponsor “A League of Their Own” night on Saturday, May 11, 2019 during opening weekend for the Otter’s 25th season. Maddox Beasley and Emilee Edwards threw out the first pitches and the Otters wore themed jerseys with the YWCA Evansville logo on the sleeve. Special thanks to our supporters who braved the blustery weather to enjoy a night of baseball in support of YWCA programs.

SAVE THE DATE!1 TH ANNUAL YWCA

LEGACYOFLUNCHEON & FASHION SHOWPRESENTED BY

G A L L E R I A

T H EDIAMOND

BER 18 · DOORS OPEN 10:30AM · OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA

HELP US MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS BY BEING A

TABLE CAPTAINFIND OUT MORE BY CONTACTING ERIKA @ THE YWCA812-422-1191 OR ETAYLOR@YWCAEVANSVILLE.ORG

Seeking exciting silentauction items!

BENEFITTING THE BERKLEY ANN BRANSONYOUNG WOMEN OF PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDAND THE YWCA’S PROGRAMS

WE ARE ALSO

Gather a group of 8 to 10 friends and join us! You, your business, or your employer can sponsor a table, or each guest

Throughout its 40 years of service to the community, the YWCA domestic violence shelter has provided support and services to countless women and children. Among the most vulnerable clients are the children who witness violence in their homes. Realizing the need to serve these clients, the YWCA established the children’s program in the summer of 1990 as a source of hope and healing for the youngest YWCA residents.

“Children certainly experience trauma in witnessing violence at home, and we give them an opportunity to process and express their feelings,” said Cindy Allega, YWCA Child Therapist. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “One in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence

����������������������������������� �

���������������

each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses.” Allega explained that many mothers do not realize their children are “witnesses” even if they are not in the same room with the fighting parents. “The aftershocks of abuse—bruises, a hole punched in a wall, a withdrawn mother—are also ways the children are exposed to the behavior,” said Allega. The resulting effects on the youngsters are varied and profound.

“Many of these children experience fear,” said Allega. “They see the people they love the most abusing each other. There is constant anxiety because the children know how explosive things can become and how quickly.” Children also feel a range of emotions including:

Guilt “It’s my fault that my parents argue or fight.” Children think they caused the abuse or should have prevented it.

Loneliness “Nothing like this is happening in anyone else’s home.” Children often feel alone in their experiences. They feel different and as if something is wrong at their house. Children may feel the need to keep violence a family secret. The family is not a predictable safe place for friends, and children feel embarrassed by their parental fights.

Confusion “I don’t understand why my dad hits my mom.” Children can love the abuser but not like the behavior. Children can also be traumatized by the abuser’s behavior while simultaneously starved for their approval.

Helplessness “I don’t know what to do, how to protect my mom or whom I can trust to tell.” Children often have an urgent desire to help their mother but may be paralyzed by fear. They hope to be the peace-keeping force and long desperately for the power to make the incident stop.

Not surprising, many children of domestic violence take their childhood experiences to their own relationships when they become adults. Unless the children are given alternatives, violence and power are the familiar ways to deal with anger. The good news is that most of the children have incredible resilience, according to Allega. “Along with the sadness, fear, and pain from emotional wounds, children are also tough, intelligent, creative, imaginative, and quick thinking in a crisis. We hope all children leave our program knowing that there are things they can do to protect themselves. We teach them to have a safety plan in place (including instruction on how to make a 911 call) and give them constructive ways to express anger,” said Allega.

The YWCA children’s program is housed in two child friendly rooms and uses books, toys, interactive games, and other tools to help children deal with conflicts, resolve tension, and feel better about coming from an environment they often cannot control. Children receive one-on-one talk time and play therapy in addition to group sessions to boost their self-confidence and knowledge. Tutoring and homework help is also available with Deveta Miller from EVSC.

While the program has evolved over the past 19 years to meet the needs of children, the aim is still the same. According to Allega, the program is “an incredible opportunity to help children begin the healing process during their stay at the YWCA. Children have a remarkable capacity for healing which is evident in the incredible progress of our youngest clients.”

Cindy Allega & Deveta Miller

Cindy Allega with YWCA children's program clients

YW

CA

Bo

ard

of

Dir

ecto

rs Executive CommitteeDavena Day - PresidentDenise Johnson-Kincaid - President-ElectJennifer Briggs - Vice PresidentAnn Ryan - SecretaryMichelle Smith - TreasurerMartha GoldmanDanyelle GrangerJennifer MooreSherrianne Standley

Andrea BackesAshley BartholomewDionne BlueJill ButtryAlma DabrowskiRanda DallasRachel DierlamClaire DuniganDora FeagleyRachel FergusonNancy McClearyHeather McNabbLisa MitsdarfferChristen MogaveroCathy NestrickAlyssia OshodiMonica OwensJill RawleyOlivia RobinsonSloane StandleyLisa VaughanLaNeeca Williams

Emeritae CouncilIsabella Fine*Nancy GauntPhyllis Igleheart*Dee Dee LeitchRuth McMillen*Virginia SchroederJoann Schwentker *deceased

On May 2, 2019, YWCA Evansville celebrated the life and accomplishments of Jean DentonBrubeck at the 30th annual Tribute toAchievement. Jeanie was truly an agent of change whose talents benefited manyorganizations including the YWCA. Many felt the void left by her unexpected passing last summer thus the evening was full of small tributes to Jeanie’s legacy. Guests enjoyed one of her favorite meals, chicken tetrazzini, heard tales of her travels and adventures, reminisced on her chic sense of style, and learned of her knack for late night phone calls through the words of Nancy Hartley Gaunt and a video compilation of memories from some of her closest friends. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke also declared May 2, 2019 Jean Denton Brubeck Day and presented her family an official proclamation.

Following dinner and the much anticipated tradition of beautiful and delicious cakecenterpieces, Live Y’ers seniors were presented with their Berkley Ann Branson Young Women of Promise scholarships. Guests were then given the opportunity to support the annual Y-Wish auction to help the YWCA repair interiordamages caused from our leaky roof. Proceeds from this event help fund YWCA programs including our domestic violence shelter, YES! residential recovery program, and the Live Y’ers after school and mentoring program. Special thanks to our guests and supporters who helped make the 2019 Tribute to Achievement event an evening to remember.

������������������������a recap ������������������������������������

Although home is supposed to be a sanctuary, it can often serve as a prison to individuals who are victims of domestic violence. The good news is that our society as a whole recognizes this problem, and resources are available for victims who need help.

But it wasn’t always this way.

During the early 1970s, domestic violence remained largely ignored in the legal, medical, and social fields. In fact, family violence in all forms, including child abuse, was largely dismissed. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the little research that existed on domestic violence at the time suggested that abuse was rare and that victims often provoked their own abuse or that it was the product of mental illness or a psychological disorder. No real statistics existed, and domestic violence wasconsidered a “private matter” to be kept hidden within households. During this time period, victims foundthemselves with little social support and no place to go.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 1412

Evansville, IN 118 Vine StreetEvansville, IN 47708812.422.1191ywcaevansville.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

For more information about the YWCA, or to make an online donation, please visitwww.ywcaevansville.org.

Join the YWCA in the �ght to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice and freedom for all!

��������������������������������� ������������������

SUMMER 2019��������������������������

Over the course of the next decade, interest in domestic violence in our country significantly shifted, largely due to the growth of the women’s movement overall. Anoutpouring of feminist activism quickly drew the attention of law enforcement, social service leaders, and government officials. By the end of the 1970s, many groups undertook the work of addressing domestic violence. At last, victims were no longer invisible.

A trailblazer in this arena, YWCA Evansville opened our area’s first domestic violence shelter in 1979. “The YWCA worked with our local Battered Women’s Coalition and other groups to begin offering much-needed services in our area, including safe shelter,” says Erika Taylor, YWCA CEO. “We were at the forefront of this movement,alongside much larger cities. Our opening in 1979reflected the progressiveness of our citizens at a time when the rights of women were only beginning to gainmomentum nationally.”

Today—40 years later—the YWCA continues serving as a beacon of hope to victims and their children. Safe shelter is just the beginning. Our 24-hour crisis hotline is open 365 days a year to provide support, information, and referrals to callers in a multi-county area. Our in-shelter services include legal advocacy, children’s programming, support groups, outreach activities, and connections to community assistance. We help victims understand the cycle of violence, types of abusive behavior, safety planning, and housing options once they leave our facility.

“Our well-rounded shelter meets the unique needs of each individual client,” adds Erika Taylor. “We are proud to be a place of healing to hundreds of victims and their children every year. We have set the bar high locally in terms of domestic violence service delivery, and we commemorate 40 years of making a true difference in our community.”

July 1

5, 2

01

9 | A

ll Day | H

aciend

a East | 9

90

S Green

River R

dH

acienda G

ive Back D

ay

Au

gu

st 21

, 20

19

| 11

:30

AM

| YW

CA

| 11

8 V

ine St

WI$E U

P: “Ho

w C

an I Create M

y Legacy”

Au

gu

st 23

, 20

19

| Old

Natio

nal Events P

lazaW

om

en’s Equality D

ay Luncheon

Septem

ber 1

8, 2

01

9 | 1

0:3

0 A

M | O

ld N

ation

al Events Plaza

19th Annual Y

WC

A Leg

acy of Style Luncheo

n

Octo

ber 1

-31

, 20

19

The Clo

thesline Project

Octo

ber 1

-31

, 20

19

Chalk it U

p to

Aw

areness

Octo

ber 1

4-1

8, 2

01

9Y

WC

A W

eek Witho

ut Vio

lence

Octo

ber 1

6, 2

01

9 | A

ll Day | Evan

sville & N

ewb

urg

h Lo

cation

sA

zzip Pizza G

ive Back D

ay

No

vemb

er 12

, 20

19

| 11

:30

AM

| YW

CA

| 11

8 V

ine St

WI$E U

P: “Year-End Planning

and C

haritable G

ifting Strateg

ies”

No

vemb

er 21

, 20

19

| 10

:30

AM

| Evansville C

ou

ntry Clu

b9th A

nnual YW

CA

“Tastes and Treasures” H

olid

ay Luncheon

Please visit our w

ebsite,

ww

w.yw

caevansville.org

, or call the

YW

CA

(812) 422-1191 for d

etailsand

upd

ates on all o

f our events.

��������

����

����

This 1973 ad, excerpted from Ms. magazine, is shocking in today’s world. Over the last few decades, notable advancements have been made with regard to domestic violence and its effect on entire communities. The YWCA has had a profound impact locally on this issue through our shelter, crisis hotline, and outreach activities.