Stories
A Survivor’s Journey
In her life, Deb Nolan has gone from domestic violence victim to fighter for women trying to break the grip of abuse. After her own ordeal in an abusive relationship in her 20s, Nolan sought counseling at the YWCA. What she found was a calling to help the long line of abused women coming through the door behind her. Today, Nolan, who has worked with the YWCA of Western Massachusetts for 13½ years, is a senior SAFEPLAN advocate and supervisor, assisting domestic violence victims in the Hampshire County District Court system. She and her fellow YWCA staffers help women obtain restraining orders and find the support they need, typically through a YWCA program or service.
“What drives me to do this work,” says the South Hadley resident, now in her 40s, “is that I never forget how [being a victim] felt. I was just terrified and confused.”
In the course of a year, Nolan and her fellow SAFEPLAN advocates will see hundreds of women come through the court system, many marked by terrifying episodes of abuse. SAFEPLAN helps the women secure legal protection, but just as importantly, it helps provide the emotional backing to go on as survivors, a side of the work that means a lot to Nolan. “I couldn’t have done this work all these years if I didn’t believe that once women get what they need,” she says, “they’ll keep themselves safe.”
Planting a Peace Garden
When the YWCA decided its Clough Street campus needed a garden where women in shelter could work in peace and dignity, Peter Merzbacher seemed to materialize hoe in hand. The 21-year-old South Shore native and UMass Honors College student was trying out his urban farming project, the New Growth Initiative, elsewhere in Springfield this past spring and attending meetings to familiarize himself with the city’s key service providers. When he was asked what it would take to put a vegetable plot in at the YWCA, he answered: “Give me $1,000 and I’ll start tomorrow.” He got the go-ahead in June and began with help from some college friends and participants in the YWCA’s YouthBuild program.
When Merzbacher was done with the clearing, composting, and planting, a 25-by-100-foot Peace Garden had replaced an idle space. Beds of mesclun, spinach, arugula, tomatoes and peppers awaited women who would find balance in the act of tending a garden. Merzbacher took away an invaluable lesson. “I’ve learned how this garden can function at the YWCA,” he says. “What [wild] animals will eat, what kind of work the women are enthusiastic about.” A familiar figure on campus, toiling under a hot sun, Merzbacher is excited about next year’s growing season. “We started late,” he says. “The fact that this garden is in is a huge step forward. Next season, we’ll be ahead of the game.”
A New Way to Give
The YWCA has partnered with Cars 4 Causes to provide an easy and convenient way to donate your vehicle to the YWCA.
Cars 4 Causes is a vehicle donation charity that specializes in turning donated vehicles into cash for your favorite charities. Donating your vehicle only takes a few minutes through the Cars 4 Causes website. Cars 4 Causes will tow your vehicle at no cost to you and will send you a receipt for your taxes that reflects the value of the donated vehicle. Vehicle donations can include cars, trucks, boats, trailers, RVs, snowmobiles, jet skis, motorcycles, motorhomes, and any other heavy equipment.
Please visit the Cars 4 Causes donation page for the YWCA to learn more or to set up a donation.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Dating violence among young adults is a widespread and serious problem that affects teens and young adults in communities all across the country. Violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications for the survivor, including higher risk of substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence.
Awareness about the prevalence and dangers of teen dating violence and knowledge about available supports and resources are essential in standing up to this epidemic. According to recent surveys, 81% of parents believe that teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don't know if it's an issue. Two out of three teens in an abusive relationship don't ever tell anyone about the abuse. Only 6% of teen girls who have experienced sexual abuse report the incident to an authority figure. Even for those young adults who do wish to report, confusion about the law and a desire for confidentiality can pose significant barriers to speaking out and seeking support.
If you are a young adult who is experiencing dating violence and are looking for more information and support, please visit the National Dating Abuse Helpline website at loveisrespect.org The Helpline offers 24-hour services via phone, live online chat, and text. The Helpline website also features interactive educational resources for anyone looking to learn more about dating violence.
