With the fall season officially here, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) is excited to announce their activities and events calendar for the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. October will be filled with opportunities to support victim-survivors within their 8-county service area.
DVIP’s 9th annual Shop for Safety will be held at the Hy-Vee’s of Washington, Mount Pleasant, Burlington, & Fort Madison on October 4th from 4-7pm. Each year, this event fills their shelter pantry for 6 months with all donations going directly to women, children, and families. Shopping List items include: gift cards, diapers, paper towels, hygiene items, toilet paper, dish soap, laundry soap, tylenol and ibuprofen, and cleaning supplies. To view the full list of items, visit the Top Needs List on our website at dvipiowa.org/top-ten-needs
“We are so pleased to be continuing Shop for Safety in our southern counties, and we are grateful for the support our communities have given us over the course of its 9 year run,” says Alta Medea, Director of Community Engagement for DVIP. “In the past 5 years, DVIP has served 38% more victim-survivors in this area of our service region. It is vital for us to meet the increased need and continuously provide the best possible resources across all 8 of our counties.”
To donate or volunteer, visit our website at dvipiowa.org
Join DVIP in giving back to emergency service providers. DVIP will be hosting a baked goods drive which will give back to the EMTS, firefighters, and police and sheriff’s departments who serve victim-survivors in all 8 service counties. Please join DVIP in preparing a little sweet treat for all these public safety officials do for victim-survivors. If you would like to donate baked goods, please contact 319-359-9353 by October 6th.
Did you know that purple is the national color used to represent those most vulnerable in your communities? On October 20th, join your communities by wearing PURPLE to support Victim-Survivors. Be sure to share your photos with DVIP on social media & use the hashtag #PurpleForAPurpose, and tell us why YOU wear purple.
The DVIP works hard to serve its communities with the goal to end domestic violence in all its forms. Violence by an intimate partner is the single greatest cause of injury to women. Trauma and its impact on women, men, and children has been well documented as a significant public health concern. For over 40 years, DVIP has partnered with the community to support victims/survivors and provide safety solutions and life-changing resources. Violence against women, men, and children happens every day. 1 in 4 women, 1 in 7 men, and 1 in 15 children will be affected by intimate partner abuse in their lifetime.
About the Domestic Violence Intervention Program: DVIP provides comprehensive services to victim-survivors of intimate partner violence. For over 40 years, DVIP has offered support, resources, and safety to individuals in an eight-county service region which includes Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Lee, Van Buren, and Washington counties. DVIP’s services include a 24/7/365 hotline, shelter, safety planning, advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, emergency pet programs, and more. Individuals who need help should call their hotline at 1-800-373-1043.