Media Center

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Media Center

YWCA has been on the frontlines of the biggest issues of the day for over 160 years, and with our focus on eliminating racism and empowering women, we can speak to our work in communities across the U.S. on everything from ending the criminalization of women and girls of color to trauma-informed care. Additionally, as the largest provider of domestic violence shelters and services in the country we can offer insights on best practices and share stories of impact. Our CEO Madeleine Keegan O’Connell welcomes the opportunity to speak about YWCA’s work.

Press Contact: Madeleine Keegan O’Connell | Chief Executive Officer | moconnell@ywcasc.org | 707-303-8400

 

IN THE PRESS…

What is Holiday Depot?

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

It’s YWCA Sonoma County’s “Pop Up” Holiday Shop exclusively for families in our care. It’s a place where YWCA volunteers sort and distribute much needed holiday gifts to families living at our shelter, sending their little ones to our childcare centers and those receiving our trauma informed counseling support. Staff members schedule client visits and everyone… Continue Reading What is Holiday Depot?

The Business of Crisis Assistance

Friday, October 28, 2022

By MADELEINE KEEGAN O’CONNELL, FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, Saturday, October 22, 2022 — CLOSE TO HOME The Business of Crisis Assistance The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 4.7 million women experience physical violence by an intimate partner each year. The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that 10 million children are exposed… Continue Reading The Business of Crisis Assistance

Treasure House Nonprofit of the Year

Monday, June 6, 2022

Assemblyman Jim Wood Honors Treasure House in Santa Rosa as AD2’s Nonprofit of the Year – Helping Victims of Domestic Violence FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 6, 2022 SACRAMENTO—Today, Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) announced selecting Treasure House, in Santa Rosa, as the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 2. “Domestic violence is a crisis… Continue Reading Treasure House Nonprofit of the Year

New age for vintage shop

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

BY KERRY BENEFIELD, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, Wednesday, July 7 2021 –  POST-PANDEMIC SALES UP FOR STORE RAISING FUNDS FOR YWCA SAFE HOUSE The coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on many Sonoma County businesses, but the toll it took on Treasure House feels unique. The consignment and thrift shop, run for nearly six decades entirely by volunteers… Continue Reading New age for vintage shop

Assault stories rip open wounds

Sunday, April 11, 2021

By MARTIN ESPINOZA, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, Sunday, April 11, 2021 — PUBLIC ALLEGATIONS OF RAPE CAN RESURFACE SURVIVORS’ PAST TRAUMAS. When a high-profile sexual assault case makes headlines, those who are survivors of rape, domestic violence and related offenses are re-traumatized by their own experiences, said local advocates for victims of sex crimes. Allegations by… Continue Reading Assault stories rip open wounds

Sonoma County nonprofits look to Giving Tuesday for much needed financial boost amid pandemic

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

  By ETHAN VARIAN, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, November 30, 2020, 6:49PM — Giving Tuesday — the annual post-Thanksgiving effort to encourage charitable donations worldwide — has taken on greater significance this year for many Sonoma County nonprofits. With contributions down considerably due to the economic fallout wrought by the coronavirus pandemic, local nonprofits are launching… Continue Reading Sonoma County nonprofits look to Giving Tuesday for much needed financial boost amid pandemic

Sonoma County Community Foundation recognizes DVAM

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

YWCA Sonoma County: Domestic Violence Awareness Month BY DANI BURLISON for Community Foundation Sonoma County, OCTOBER 27, 2020 — For more than four decades YWCA Sonoma County has been a safe haven for domestic violence survivors. The organization helps individuals and families through their hotline, housing, therapy services, a preschool, advocacy, and more. Founded in London in… Continue Reading Sonoma County Community Foundation recognizes DVAM

Therapy pivots during pandemic

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

PRESS DEMOCRAT OPINION EDITORIAL, BY MADELEINE KEEGAN O’CONNELL, CEO, YWCA SONOMA COUNTY CEO, Sunday, April 11, 2021 — GETTING HELP. EDITOR: Staff Writer Nashelly Chavez’s article on domestic violence and the impact of COVID-19 brings an important community matter to light (“Abuse concerns mount during outbreak,” April 11.) Briefly mentioned was that during the shelter-in-place… Continue Reading Therapy pivots during pandemic

Mental health in schools and DV

Sunday, October 30, 2016

PRESS DEMOCRAT CLOSE TO HOME – October 2016 —  In the age of sound bites and viral memes, it is heartening to see in-depth, quality news from, National Public Radio; specifically, the thoughtfulness of its multi-part series,  “Mental Health in Schools: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Millions of Students”. The report focused on a little-known fact:… Continue Reading Mental health in schools and DV

When pink and purple feel familiar

Friday, October 10, 2014

Press Democrat Close to Home – October 6, 2014 Pink and purple, purple and pink; you may have noticed fall has a different color scheme these days. As children, we associated orange, brown, and even gold with the arrival of falling leaves, Halloween, and a fresh chill in the air. Today the arrival of fall… Continue Reading When pink and purple feel familiar

COMMUNITY OUTREACH LETTERS …

Share the Warmth

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

APRIL 2023 – Dear Friend, Carmen is a mother of three children under 12 years old who fled her home where her husband brutalized her both physically and emotionally for many years. Moving into YWCA’s confidential Safe House shelter Carmen received daily support from our advocates. In the weeks that followed, YWCA’s therapists gave Carmen… Continue Reading Share the Warmth

The gift of slumber

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

DECEMBER 2022 – Dear Friend, YWCA Advocates working within our confidential Safe House shelter greet each child resident with a daily question, “How did you sleep?” Responses include, “Great!”, “Really good”, and my personal favorite, “It’s so quiet here at night.” As we know, restful sleep helps us organize experiences and memories. Scientists believe that… Continue Reading The gift of slumber

The Business of Crisis Assistance

Friday, October 28, 2022

By MADELEINE KEEGAN O’CONNELL, FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, Saturday, October 22, 2022 — CLOSE TO HOME The Business of Crisis Assistance The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 4.7 million women experience physical violence by an intimate partner each year. The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that 10 million children are exposed… Continue Reading The Business of Crisis Assistance

Nurture – A Mother’s Day Message

Sunday, May 9, 2021

MAY 2021 – Dear Friend, When local families in need call our 24/7 Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline, begin therapy or enroll their little ones in our therapeutic preschool, the nurturing relationship begins. Our role in this community is to support families living in abusive situations by offering refuge in our confidential Safe House shelter, resources… Continue Reading Nurture – A Mother’s Day Message

Unprecedented Times: DVAM 2020

Thursday, October 15, 2020

October 2020 – Domestic Violence Awareness Month Dear Friend, We are living in unprecedented times, and as a result now more than ever, YWCA’s domestic violence services are desperately needed. Right here in our local community, the measurable increase of calls to our 24/7 Crisis Hotline has arrived. Our confidential  Safe House shelter continues to welcome… Continue Reading Unprecedented Times: DVAM 2020

Safe House is baby’s first home

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Dear Friend, A child is born. An innocent, precious being at the beginning of her journey through life. Her name is Gabriella and her first home is YWCA’s confidential Safe House shelter. From the hospital, her mom has made the difficult decision not to return with her little one to the home where violence was… Continue Reading Safe House is baby’s first home

A success story

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Dear Supporter, Wendy, is a 28 year old single mother of three young children; two boys ages 5 and 3 along with an 18 month old baby girl. She is a YWCA Sonoma County success story . . . While recovering in the hospital following the birth of her youngest, Wendy’s sister and mother gave… Continue Reading A success story

Wildfires: common threads with DV

Thursday, November 9, 2017

By Madeleine Keegan O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer As you know, our community has endured loss, trauma and despair as we all grapple with the impact of the October ‘17 wildfires. We have all been touched. The devastating loss of life, as well as both homes and businesses is so prevalent the numbers are staggering. Evacuations,… Continue Reading Wildfires: common threads with DV

Not just a lunch box

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Dear Friend, A lunchbox. It seems like a simple item for a child to have, but for Gabriella*, the lunchbox we gave her (funded by caring supporters such as you!) was the first one she ever had. Gabriella is a bright third-grader, who lives with her mom and three siblings in our confidential Safe House… Continue Reading Not just a lunch box

Imagine…

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Imagine the ideal haven for women fleeing violence, in the place they should least expect it – their own homes . . . YWCA’s confidential Safe House shelter. Imagine the ideal place for children who spent each day just trying to survive . . . YWCA’s “A Special Place Therapeutic Preschool. Imagine a friendly, empathetic… Continue Reading Imagine…