YWCA Northwestern Illinois

10/23/2026

Today, YWCA Northwestern Illinois is at UIC for MERIT’s Protecting Innocence 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children. 💜

We’re grateful for opportunities to connect with community partners, share information about our services, and collaborate with others who are committed to protecting children and strengthening the systems that support them.

Protecting children takes all of us working together. We’re proud to be part of these important conversations and the collective effort to build safer, stronger communities for children and families.

If you or someone you know needs confidential support, contact the Family Peace Center at 779-348-7600 or visit rockfordfamilypeacecenter.org. Help is also available 24 hours a day at 877-863-6338.
Learn more: https://www.ywcanwil.org/what-we-do/

10/22/2026

Hear Their Voices continues today with advice from adults in our community. 💜

Young people have shared their perspectives, and now adults are sharing what they want young people to know. Listen, leave a comment, and share this post so these messages reach even more people.

Tomorrow is the last day of Week Without Violence. Stop by YWCA Northwestern Illinois to pick up a purple ribbon and show your support.

If you or someone you know needs confidential support, contact the Family Peace Center at 779-348-7600 or visit rockfordfamilypeacecenter.org. Help is also available 24 hours a day at 877-863-6338.
Learn more: https://www.ywcanwil.org/what-we-do/

10/21/2026

This year’s Week Without Violence centers young voices, so we’re starting with them. Take a few minutes to listen to young people in our community share their perspectives, in their own words.

Please watch, heart, and share this video to help amplify these voices. The more people who hear them, the stronger our community becomes.

If you or someone you know needs confidential support, contact the Family Peace Center at 779-348-7600 or visit rockfordfamilypeacecenter.org. Help is also available 24 hours a day at 877-863-6338.
Learn more: https://www.ywcanwil.org/what-we-do/

10/20/2026

Day 2 of our Week Without Violence Initiative, Myth vs. Reality is happening today!

Stop by our E. State street table lobby until 4:00 p.m., to test your knowledge and help us challenge common misconceptions about domestic violence.

10/20/2026

Week Without Violence kicked off yesterday, and this year’s theme is Rising Together. 💜

We started the week with a presentation from Rockford Family Peace Center and our annual chalking outside our building. Art is a powerful way to raise awareness, support survivors, and imagine a future free from violence, and we’re centering young voices in that vision.

The chalking continues all week! Grab some chalk or create your own artwork reflecting the theme to show your support for a violence-free community. Share a photo and tag us so we can see what you create.

If you or someone you know needs confidential support, contact the Family Peace Center at 779-348-7600 or visit rockfordfamilypeacecenter.org. Help is also available 24 hours a day at 877-863-6338.

Learn more: https://www.ywcanwil.org/what-we-do/

10/20/2026

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Myth vs. Fact

Myth: Domestic violence only involves physical harm.

Fact: Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, financial, and psychological.

Abuse may look like constant criticism, manipulation, controlling access to money, online stalking, threatening messages, or sharing private images without consent. Not all abuse leaves visible bruises, but all abuse can have lasting impacts.

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let's expand our understanding of abuse and help create communities built on respect, safety, and healthy relationships.

10/19/2026

This Week Without Violence, we're Rising Together: Centering Young Voices to End Gender-Based Violence.

Young people are disproportionately impacted by intimate partner violence, sexual assault, grooming, and exploitation, yet their voices are too often left out of conversations about prevention, healing, and change.

Join YWCA USA October 19-23 as we come together to listen, learn, advocate, and imagine a future free from violence.

10/16/2026

Join us for Week Without Violence | October 19–23!

A stronger community starts with all of us! Join YWCA Northwestern Illinois as we raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and stand together to promote safe, violence-free communities. There are many ways to get involved throughout the week!

💜 Monday, 10/19 | Kickoff: Learn about local services and resources during our Family Peace Center presentation at 10am, followed by our annual Week Without Violence chalking.

💜 Tuesday, 10/20 | Myth vs. Reality: Stop by our E. State lobby from 2:00–4:00 PM to participate in an interactive activity focused on domestic violence.

💜 Wednesday & Thursday, 10/21–10/22 | Hear Their Voices: Watch and share videos on our social media featuring youth, staff, and community members sharing their voices and perspectives.

💜 Friday, 10/23 | Protecting Innocence: We’ll be participating in outreach at MERIT for Protecting Innocence 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children.

🎗️ Want to show your support? Stop by YWCA Northwestern Illinois throughout the week to pick up a purple ribbon and join us in raising awareness about domestic violence and the importance of prevention!

Every conversation, shared message, and show of support makes a difference. Follow along, participate, and help us spread the word! 💜

💜 Need support? You are not alone.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available:

Remedies Renewing Lives: 24-hour domestic violence hotline and emergency shelter — 815-962-6102
Family Peace Center: 779-348-7600 | rockfordfamilypeacecenter.org
Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-877-863-6338 (24/7)

Support is available, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. 💜

10/15/2026

The traditions and practices of Indigenous nations are sacred to this land. This we honor the perspectives, teachings, and ongoing contributions of Native peoples and stand in solidarity against the continued legacy of discrimination, marginalization, and violence perpetuated against communities.

10/14/2026

Economic abuse is one of the most common forms of domestic violence, and one of the hardest to see. It often begins with everyday choices that feel loving, then slowly turns into control: changed passwords, an "allowance," or a job that suddenly becomes impossible to keep.

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our new blog walks through what economic abuse can look like, why it's so hard to recognize, and where to find support in our community.

Read it here 👉

Economic Abuse: How to Make Sense of It While You’re in a Relationship Economic abuse is one of the most