Shelter from the Storm
Last week, a mother and her five children arrived at YWCA’s new shelter with little more than a few bags. That night, they slept in safety. That morning, they woke with the possibility of a new beginning.
Stories like this are happening across Greater Cincinnati every day. Domestic violence is not a hidden issue. It is a public health crisis that touches every neighborhood, every school, and every workplace. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Cincinnati is taking visible, powerful steps to shine a light on the issue and stand with survivors.
Healing Has an Address: The House That Hope Built
YWCA Greater Cincinnati has been at the forefront of survivor advocacy for more than a century. With the recent opening of the Francie Garber Pepper House of Healing, the organization has doubled its shelter capacity. That expansion is not about numbers on a page. It is about lives. It is about ensuring no woman, child, or family has to face abuse alone.
Every year, more than 12,000 adults and children in our region turn to YWCA for shelter, counseling, hotlines, legal advocacy, prevention programs, and long-term housing. Supporters help make that lifeline possible, transforming community compassion into tangible safety.
Learn more about YWCA’s mission and services at ywcacincinnati.org.
October’s Playlist: Rock, Shop, and Rally for Survivors
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is not a single date on a calendar. It is a series of opportunities to learn, act, and support survivors. YWCA Cincinnati has organized a lineup of programs that highlight resilience, solidarity, and prevention:
Women Who Rock – Oct. 12 at The Belle and The Bear: A night of music and empowerment that celebrates women’s voices and fuels lifesaving services.
SoHza Sisters Circle Day – Oct. 18 at SoHza Sisters Boutique: Shop fair-trade, women-owned goods all month with proceeds benefiting YWCA programs.
Week Without Violence – Oct. 20–24: A global YWCA initiative focusing on maternal health, safe housing, and access to justice.
Purple Thursday – Oct. 23: Wear purple, post photos, and show solidarity with survivors across the nation.
She Screams Without Sound – Oct. 28: A candlelight vigil at the Hamilton County Courthouse honoring survivors and remembering those we have lost.
Each event is more than symbolic. Each is a call to action. Every person who attends, donates, shops, or wears purple is helping build a safer, stronger Cincinnati.
Ripples That Reach Every Corner of Cincinnati
Domestic violence has ripple effects that extend far beyond the home. Children exposed to abuse are more likely to experience long-term health challenges. Survivors face barriers in employment, housing, and legal systems. Communities absorb the costs in healthcare, law enforcement, and lost productivity.
But communities can also lead the solutions. Events like Purple Thursday create cultural shifts that make conversations about abuse less stigmatized. Partnerships like those with SoHza Sisters translate economic activity into direct support for survivors. Vigils like She Screams Without Sound give public voice to those whose voices have too often been silenced.
When neighbors come together to show survivors they are not alone, cycles begin to break.
Beyond October: Turning Awareness into Action
October shines a light, but the work continues every day. Support for YWCA ensures that shelters remain open, hotlines remain staffed, advocates remain in courtrooms, and children remain safe. This is not charity. It is community. It is a collective investment in health, safety, and justice.
Together, Greater Cincinnati can move from awareness to action, from silence to solidarity. Survivors are not defined by what they have endured. With support, they are leaders, parents, workers, and neighbors shaping a future free from violence.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit ywcacincinnati.org/events.