Fresh Start Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Fresh Start Domestic Violence Campaign took place through the month of October.  Weekly emails were sent to donors along with daily social media posts and an extensive PR effort resulting in multiple print and TV stories Donations were accepted online through our website as well as through Global Giving.  Only one $50 donation came in through Global Giving, but it was still good to have that giving component consistent with everything else we were doing.  Approximately $3,000 in donation came in through the center's website.

Of the almost 30,000 women served through our WRC, approximately 40% have experienced some form of domestic abuse, past or present.

Fresh Start’s Women Together Against Domestic Violence program provides services directly to women in the form of workshops, support groups, family law services, and one-on-one social work services.  According to recent data, over 50% of Fresh Start clients are non-White, 72% have at least one child, 63% are the sole head of household, and 62% are unemployed. These statistics show the diversity among the women seeking our services, but also demonstrate that our client population is traditionally under-served in many respects. Services to help women through the experience of domestic violence are critical to our community and to Fresh Start clients.

Nationally, about 50% of domestic violence victims receive non-residential assistance and services, including individual guidance, legal advocacy and support groups. Arizona lags far behind, with only 18% of victims receiving these types of services. Fresh Start’s Women Together Against Domestic Violence programming aims to address the needs of domestic violence victims seeking non-residential services and support through our educational workshops, support groups, and one-on-one guidance.