XENI — Each year in Greene County, between 1,300-1,600 adults are physically abused by a current or former intimate partner and elder abuse is more common than new cancer cases among seniors aged 60 and over according to The Health Path Foundation of Ohio (2014).
October has been dedicated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This awareness effort evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent of this day was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state and national levels. It is now a month-long although domestic violence is a problem all year long.
The purple ribbon is the most widely recognized symbol of the domestic violence movement. Family Violence Prevention Center (FVPC) in Greene County is coordinating with the two Montgomery/Preble County organizations, Artemis and the Dayton YWCA to Paint the Town Purple. During the month of October, when you see a purple ribbon hanging at The Greene, we encourage you to take a moment, read the informational card attached and also remember the many consequences that domestic violence has on our community in terms of health, wellness and in the lives of the children.
The Greene County Consortium on Domestic and Sexual Violence will be recognizing members of law enforcement who go above and beyond for victims in our county. The awards ceremony 12 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Media Room at Greene County Department of Job and Family Services and is open to the public
FVPC is also one of nearly 300 domestic violence organizations across the country participating in the 2018 Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge, which runs Oct. 2-31. Now in its fifth year, the annual friendly fundraiser helps state and local domestic violence organizations deal with funding gaps. On a single day in 2017, more than 11,000 calls for help from domestic violence victims went unanswered due to the lack of nonprofit resources and staff to address the victims’ needs.
Funds raised through the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge by participating nonprofits will go toward providing life-changing services for survivors and their families, such as financial aid and empowerment, emergency shelter, food and transportation. To support FVPC, visit website, www.violencefreefutures.org.
“The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge is a crucial fundraising initiative for our organization as the donations are vital to our efforts to help as many women and families affected by domestic violence as we can,” said Harmony Byrd, Community Relations Coordinator. “With the collective community rallying behind our organization now and throughout the year, it also shows survivors that they’re not alone in their journeys to break the cycle of abuse.”
In addition to the money organizations, like FVPC raise on their own, The Allstate Foundation has dedicated nearly $800,000 in incentive grants. There will be daily and weekly fundraising challenges, and at the end of the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge, the nonprofit that raised the most in their division as determined by operating budgets, will receive grand prizes up to $100,000.
To support the nonprofits’ fundraising efforts, tennis champion, philanthropist and Allstate Foundation Purple Purse program ambassador, Serena Williams, designed a limited-edition purse – a suede and leather purple backpack. FVPC intends to have supporters carry the purse through the month to increase visibility and communicate about the challenge. When you donate $100 or more, you will be entered into the drawing at the end to win the purse.
“A purse is symbolic of a woman’s financial domain. We’re thrilled Serena Williams embraced this idea when she designed this practical, every day bag for the 2018 Allstate Foundation Purple Purse campaign,” said Vicky Dinges, Allstate’s senior vice president of corporate relations. “We’re confident this year’s purse will encourage even more people to get involved and support the participating nonprofits.”
Purple Purse is a signature program of The Allstate Foundation, an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation works to create more prosperous communities where people are inspired and empowered to fulfill their hopes and dreams by breaking the cycle of domestic violence, inspiring the next generation of leaders, closing the nonprofit leadership gap and honoring Allstate volunteers. For updates on Allstate Foundation Purple Purse initiatives, follow Purple Purse on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. More information on The Allstate Foundation is available at AllstateFoundation.org.
For more information about these events, visit www.violencefreefutures.org/events, or contact Harmony Byrd at 937-376-8526 ext. 112 or [email protected].
