On Sunday, October 6, YWCA Greenwich is hosting a community-wide walk to raise awareness and funds for YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services and education.
YWCA Greenwich Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence will be a family-friendly event that takes place at Bruce Park. Registration will open at 8:30 am.
Members of the community are encouraged to form teams, come with friends and family, and even dogs are welcome. To preregister, go to ywcagrn.org/walkthewalk. Proceeds from the event will support the important work of YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services.
“Community involvement is essential to ending the epidemic of domestic violence,” said Mary Lee Kiernan, President and CEO, YWCA Greenwich. “Last year, YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services responded to more than 3,700 calls to our hotline, and nearly every day, someone new walked through our doors seeking help.”
October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. YWCA Greenwich is the only state designated provider of domestic abuse services for victims of domestic violence in Greenwich with staff who are licensed to provide a variety of victim services.
“One in four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime. Unfortunately, the Town of Greenwich and its residents are not immune to this abuse,” said First Selectman Peter Tesei. “That is why I continue to work with the YWCA and support their efforts in fighting domestic violence and educating the public about this unacceptable behavior.”
YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services has helped thousands of women, children, and some men since opening its doors in 1981. No client is ever turned away, and all services are free, including a 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, safety planning,
individual and group counseling for adults, teens and children, and criminal court advocacy.
The YWCA recently opened the Civil Legal Clinic to provide clients with support in navigating civil legal matters, and they have also begun providing financial literacy consultations important in helping clients get back on their feet.
In addition to providing direct services to victims of abuse, YWCA Greenwich also provides professional trainings, as well as prevention education in Greenwich public and independent schools.
“A lot of the work we are doing now is about reframing domestic violence as a public health issue,” said Meredith Gold, Director, Domestic Abuse Services, YWCA Greenwich, “We are really focusing on encouraging pro-social behaviors through our work with students and professionals who are facing the community-level impact of domestic violence.”
The Walk the Walk co-chairs are: Michael Bodson, President and CEO, DTCC; Christine Petta Kelland, Administrative Assistant, Wells Fargo Private Bank; Anthony Morello, Head Coach, Greenwich High School Cardinals Football Team; Andrea C. Sisca, Attorney, Ivey, Barnum & O’Mara and YWCA Greenwich Board of Directors; Peter Tesei, First Selectman, Town of Greenwich; and Kimberly Owens Wise, YWCA Greenwich Board of Directors.
If you are interested in registering to walk or forming a team, please visit www.ywcagrn.org/walkthewalk
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, call the YWCA 24/7 hotline at 203-622-0003.
For more information about the walk, please contact Jackie Stam at 203-869-6501 x102 or j.stam@ywcagreenwich.org.
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