Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the ?Day of Unity? held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.

The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes:

• Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence
• Celebrating those who have survived
• Connecting those who work to end violence

These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today. In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline.

YWCA of Central Virginia, established in 1912, lives its mission to eliminate racism and empower women in Central Virginia. YWCA works to promote the health and safety of women and girls through its two flagship victim services programs: Domestic Violence Prevention Program (DVPP), the Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP). Further, YWCA of Central Virginia has worked to provide safe and secure housing for women since 1918 with a program that continues to this day with its third flagship program? Town Center Women?s Residential Housing Program. The organization has set the leadership example by being the premier agency in attaining a common community vision of peace, justice freedom, dignity, and camaraderie for all people through the women, girls, and families they serve. For more information about YWCA of Central Virginia, please visit the website: www.ywcacva.org. YWCA of Central Virginia is a partner agency of United Way of Central Virginia.