January Newsletter
We operate Montgomery and Preble counties' domestic violence shelter. Like many domestic violence shelters, we also serve survivors of human trafficking.
This includes in 2023 when a young woman who had survived years of trafficking and abuse came to our shelter.
She wrestled with a mental health diagnosis from her trauma and feelings of hopelessness. Our case manager worked to meet her immediate needs and to develop a plan to stay safe and begin her healing journey.
The survivor eventually shared with us that she wanted to move to a long-term program to further help her mental health needs instead of moving to her own housing before she was ready. She and the case manager worked together to find a place that was a good fit in and staff were able to help her get into a program the next day.
This Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we want to raise awareness to the complex intersections between human trafficking and domestic violence. Human trafficking can begin by a trafficker using force or fraud, like warnings you may have heard about people abducting others.
"However, the more common way that survivors become involved with sex trafficking is through a grooming process, usually by someone that the survivor is living with, like a family member or an intimate partner," said Kaitlyn Olsen, Clinical Manager with YWCA Dayton.
At YWCA Dayton, we serve as a shelter from the storm. If you or someone you know needs to talk, we can be reached at 937-222-SAFE or crisis chat online at ywcadayton.org.
Countdown to Women of Influence 2024
We are six weeks away from Women of Influence and can't wait to celebrate the Class of 2024 on March 14 at the Dayton Convention Center!
Get your tickets soon and read more about this year's honorees on our website at ywcadayton.org/womenofinfluence.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with set up, tear down, ushering and more. Want to get involved? Email volunteers@ywcadayton.org. 
Stay tuned as we soon will be announcing this year's silent auction items and keep watching us on our social media channels as we share more in the coming weeks about our esteemed honorees.
Grant supports proven path to affordable housing
YWCA Dayton is on the front lines of providing stable, supportive housing to women who have experienced long-term homelessness.
Women in our permanent supportive housing program have a permanent apartment that is paired with supportive services like optional case management, access to an on-site food pantry, art programming, support groups and more.
We are thankful for PNC Foundation for their grant to support this proven path to affordable housing for women in our community.
Art can be a powerful tool for expression and empowerment. We invite all survivors of sexual violence or interpersonal violence to join us this April for Art That Empowers, our annual art show, featuring the works of survivors in our community.
Art will be displayed April 22-27 at Wholly Grounds, 825 Wayne Ave, Dayton, and we will be hosing a gallery opening opening event.
See our website to learn more and sign up to have your art in the show (anonymous submissions welcome).
YWCA Dayton Preble Manager Recognized by Chamber
YWCA Dayton's Rural Strategy Manager Miranda Armstead was honored with the Young Professional Award from the Preble County Chamber of Commerce.
Congratulations to Miranda, who works hard every day to eliminate racism, empower women, and serve survivors in Preble County, where we operate the county's only domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center.
"It means so much to me to be able to work in Preble County every day and give back to the county that has given so much to me throughout my life," said Miranda.