SPOKANE, Wash. — YWCA Spokane is seeing a major increase in calls for help, and the organization is turning to the community for support.
The organization says it expects to handle about 6,000 calls to its 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline by the end of 2025, nearly 2,000 more than last year.
“They’re going to have a supportive listener who is really working to understand what they need and want in their situation and what resources are available to them,” said Briana Berner, YWCA Director of Philanthropy.
YWCA said the influx of calls comes at a time when the organization has received less federal funding than it typically does.
The increased load is putting a strain on resources and YWCA said it needs an extra $50,000 to maintain the call service.
“More survivors are finding the courage to reach out for help, which is encouraging, but it also means we need additional resources to ensure we can provide the critical support they deserve,” said Jeanette Hauck, CEO at YWCA Spokane.
Each crisis call costs about $25 to handle with trained staff.
“We went through a re-budgeting process this year and really had to focus in on crisis services and services that aren’t really offered anywhere else in the community, and the helpline is one of those things,” Berner said.
The YWCA is not the only organization seeing an increase in calls from people needing access to services.
Local nonprofit, Mujeres in Action, says it has a waitlist full of people experiencing domestic violence and needing help.
“The YWCA is really busy,” said Mujeres in Action’s Ana Trusty. “So, we’re getting to see more of those calls that are unable to be seen there. There’s a backlog.”
Hauck says her team is committed to answering every call that comes in. But without community support, maintaining that level of service will become difficult.
“With community support, we can cover all 2,000 additional calls and continue providing the life-saving services our neighbors depend on,” she said.
For more information and to donate, visit www.ywcaspokane.org.
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