The YWCA of Greater Lafayette is counting on more community support to help operate its domestic violence shelter.
Program Coordinator Jasmine Dowd says women and their children who need assistance are often staying longer at the shelter.
“You don’t have transportation, a job, all of your things have been taken from you – it really just takes a lot more time to really get back on your feet.”
She says funding from grants is never certain, especially with the federal budget cutting through the sequestration process.
The Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program is holding its biggest fundraiser of the year Thursday. The Clay Bowl Giving Project is lunch or dinner at the YWCA. Local potters have donated clay bowls, which come with the purchase of a meal.
Dowd says 331 women with 237 children stayed at the YWCA’s domestic violence shelter last year. She says the number of kids being served has increased, which might be the reason for longer stays at the shelter.
“Thirty days is our traditional stay, but – 30 days – if you’ve lost everything, really isn’t that much time,” says Dowd. “We’ve been trying to make sure that when someone comes in, that we’re able to address all their needs and give them an adequate amount of time to sort of piece back together an independent life.”
This year’s fundraising effort hopes to bring in about $30,000.
YWCA of Greater Lafayette Executive Director Debi DeBruyn says the money will cover some operating expenses of the domestic violence shelter for women and children.
“We’re offering an opportunity for Purdue students to come in the evening,” she says. “For a $10 donation, if they show their student ID, they can pick out a clay bowl and have a spaghetti dinner.”
DeBruyn thinks the offer is a way to reach college students and teach them about healthy relationships and domestic violence, if they haven’t already learned about that.
The Clay Bowl Giving Project is lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the YWCA, 605 N. 6th Street, Lafayette. More information about the event and ticket orders is HERE.
