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.
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?
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
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
PRESS DEMOCRAT, BY LORI A. CARTER October 7, 2021 — Dozens of brightly colored umbrellas bobbed in the cool air above a crowd of social service and law enforcement workers gathered Wednesday at the Family Justice Center of Sonoma County. They were suspended there not for any hint of rain in the fall evening, but… Continue Reading FJC of So. Co. celebrates a decade of helping victims of violence
PRESS DEMOCRAT CLOSE TO HOME, BY MADELEINE KEEGAN O’CONNELL, CEO, YWCA SONOMA COUNTY; October 14, 2021 — If you’re like me, newspaper headlines have a way of shaking you up and distracting you from other concerns. Whether stories like the death of Gabby Petito arrive in print on my doorstep or as alerts on my… Continue Reading Recognizing the signs of domestic abuse
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
PRESS DEMOCRAT CLOSE TO HOME, BY MADELEINE KEEGAN O’CONNELL, CEO, YWCA SONOMA COUNTY. April 18, 2021 — Harvey Weinstein, Andrew Cuomo, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz and now, closer to home, Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli faces multiple allegations of sexual assault. You and I know this is only a partial list. We live in a country… Continue Reading A survivor says, don’t suffer in silence
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
By SUZIE RODRIGUEZ, FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT, Sunday, January 31, 2021 — YWCA SONOMA COUNTY Santa Rosa nonprofit answers call as more abuse victims reach out – Sheltering in place has helped slow the spread of COVID-19, but in some areas of the country and the world, a worrying side effect has appeared — an increase… Continue Reading Lifesaver for struggling women, kids
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
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
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
PRESS DEMOCRAT, BY KERRY BENEFIELD, March 11, 2017 — Caption: Rancho Cotate boys basketball coach Dennis Magatelli spent a few brief moments with his 8-day-old grandson Giovanni Bianchini before the start of a December 2014 game. (Erik Castro / for The Press Democrat) About one in four families in Sonoma County is affected by domestic… Continue Reading Coaches can lead the way in molding young adults
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
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
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
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
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
OCTOBER 2022 – Dear Friend, As the community begins to breathe a sigh of relief from the confines of the pandemic, here is a recap of how YWCA has supported local families in need over the past year. Given our singular and vital role, we remain steadfast in our vision that every family in Sonoma… Continue Reading How YWCA Supports Local Families – DVAM 2022
APRIL 2022 – Before I got here, my baby was having a hard time breathing, sleeping, eating, and functioning overall. Now he sleeps, eats, smiles, and is progressing so much more. Even my doctor said so. The Safe House has been a safe, amazing environment for us to be in. – Melissa, mom to Noah*… Continue Reading A Safe House Mother’s Testimony
DECEMBER 2021 – 24/7 Crisis Hotline Services “Thank you for listening. I don’t feel so alone anymore.” Safe House Shelter “I finally feel like I can breathe again. I feel safe here.” Counseling Services “I’ve regained my self-esteem and feel more confident as a mother.” A Special Place Preschool “My son was delayed in speech.… Continue Reading ‘Tis the season for giving and receiving thanks
OCTOBER 2021 – Dear Friend, If you’re like me, newspaper headlines have a way of shaking me free from the other concerns of my day. Whether they arrive in print at my doorstep or as alerts on my screen, sentiments like these are disturbing. Locally and nationally, one thing is clear; domestic violence is impacting… Continue Reading Impacts of domestic violence on our community
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
December 2020 Dear Friend, Hope and kindness. Especially at this time of year, we reflect on the meaning of hope and kindness in our lives. As 2020 draws to a close, each of us has been touched by the gravity of living with the threat of the virus. Hope and kindness are what keep us… Continue Reading Hope and Kindness – 2020 holiday message
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
Dear Friend, Reflecting on these past many weeks of “shelter in place” one cannot begin to fathom the impact on victims of violence and abuse being sheltered together with their abuser. This is my deepest concern and the one we are bracing for at YWCA Sonoma County. There will be an increased need for our… Continue Reading Shelter in Place – When staying home may not be safe.
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
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Dear Friend of YWCA Sonoma County, As we honor survivors of domestic violence in our community this October, we pause to recognize the sign of the times we are living in today. Over the past year, the #MeToo movement has transformed our culture, and in many ways has expanded beyond sexual… Continue Reading The singular voice of domestic violence
What a Treasure in our Community Specializing in the merchandising of donated and high-end consigned antiques, vintage collectibles, art & home décor, and personal items like jewelry – think Estate Sale and you’ve hit the nail on its head at Treasure House. But the store is only a part of what makes them a local… Continue Reading Treasure House Shares Proceeds to YWCA Sonoma County
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
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
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 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…
