Holiday hope delivered to survivors
Children’s Program Manager Asiaonna Eley and Children’s Program staff Valencia Woodard stand in the center between two staff with P&G, which generously donated holiday gifts to YWCA Dayton.
The holidays can be incredibly stressful for those recovering from domestic violence and homelessness.
So each December, YWCA Dayton transforms an otherwise ordinary room into a festive Holiday Market for women, children and families who use our programs, who are free to shop for themselves and their loved ones.
It’s a moment of joy in a difficult season. And it’s a chance for survivors to chose their own gifts at a time when so much choice can feel out of their control.
"Holiday Market creates a space where clients we serve can feel proud that they personally selected gifts for their family. It creates access to women who in the past might have had few choices and little access to the holiday experience of shopping and gift giving," said Barbara Ward, Director of Communications & Development at YWCA Dayton. "It is a space that is only possible because of the community coming together with a heart for survivors."
This market is only possible because of the overwhelming support we received from our community donors, from fuzzy blankets, to stress-relief body wash, to a mountain of toys.
Thank you to everyone who helped us give the gift of joy and choice this holiday season, including
Premier Health
CareSource
SVG Motors in Eaton
Pink Moon Goods
Junior League of Dayton
YWCA Dayton Board Member Jenni Frazer
USAF 445TH Reserves Squadron
Dunbar High School Girls Basketball
Grand Girls Assembly Order of Eastern Stars
Fairmont High School
Pink Moon Goods
Moms of Oakwood
Pi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma
Dayton Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
And countless others, including several anonymous donors, who helped make the season brighter at YWCA Dayton.
At one point during the Holiday Market, a one-year-old boy living in one of our shelters visited with his family to pick out a toy, found a new soccer ball, and excitedly ran around holding it up and yelling "ball!" Another day, a YW apartment resident who misses gardening discovered a kit to grow a tomato plant in her room, saying that growing things helps her feel more like herself. And of course, a favorite time of ours is always when we set aside time for children in shelter to shop for gifts to surprise their moms.
"My kids and I enjoyed helping at the Holiday Market," said YWCA Dayton Board Member Jenni Frazer, who volunteered to work at the Holiday Market. "It was meaningful to put faces and context to the clients being served by YWCA, and see the positive interactions between the families and staff. Also, it was priceless seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as they chose gifts for their mom."