Domestic violence affects one in four women, and it occurs more than 145 times each hour in the United States. In Sonoma County alone more than 3,000 calls are made annually to the YWCA Crisis Hotline. It is the leading cause of injury to women.

    Our project addresses domestic violence in Sonoma County. We have partnered with YWCA Sonoma County and are working to end domestic violence in Sonoma County through education, awareness, and empowerment.

   We first contacted the YWCA Sonoma County Volunteer Coordinator, Donata Mikulik, in March of 2012. We met with Donata and explained our interest in partnering with YWCA Sonoma County for our CBSL Project. She was extremely enthusiastic about our interest and agreed to be our Mentor for the project.

   Since beginning our project, we have hosted a Cell Phone Drive (which we received over 100 donated phones), attended numerous Outreach teen dating violence presentations, helped renovate YWCA Sonoma County’s Outreach curriculum, attended the 40 hour domestic violence training and shadowed at the YWCA therapeutic preschool “A Special Place” and the YWCA Safe House. Most recently, we showcased our project at Cardinal Newman’s Annual Service Fair.

   Thus far, the most challenging aspect of our project has been time constraints and age limitations. For the most part, all of the work YWCA does occurs during the business/school day. Also, because we are not yet 18 we are restricted as to what we can and cannot do within the organization. For instance, we are not allowed to facilitate Outreach presentations, nor can we facilitate any therapy sessions.

   The most rewarding aspects of our project are working with the children at the therapeutic preschool and empowering the women at the YWCA Safe House. The work we do in educating and raising awareness of domestic violence is great. However, nothing compares to being able to work with the preschoolers and aid in their healing process, as it is a powerful experience.

   Nothing is more inspiring than going into the Safe House and empowering victims to become the strong, confident, independent women they are capable of. Being able to work directly and help those who have been directly affected by domestic violence is hands down the most rewarding part of our project.

   In the upcoming months we plan to work with the YWCA during special events in October for Domestic Violence Awareness month, as well as having another Cell Phone Drive in December, and hosting our own special events in February for Teen Dating Violence awareness month.