Jack Ryger describes the ways you can help your local domestic violence shelter and reasons why spreading awareness about domestic violence is important.

1. WAY S T O H E L P L O C A L D O M E S T I C
V I O L E N C E S H E LT E R S
J A C K RY G E R :

2. • One great branch of community service to get involved with is helping out at a
local domestic violence shelter.
• According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Center for Victims
of Crime, 25% of women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime - that’s
one out of every four women you pass on the street each day..

3. • Women are
abused in
different
ways, ranging
from financial
situations to
being abused
mentally and
physically

4. • Unfortunately, it’s very hard for these women to flee their homes and get
away from their abuser.
• But, domestic violence shelters have been set up across the nation for
these women to feel safe, and with your help they can get even more of the
resources and care that these shelters provide.
• Here are some ways you can help…

5. • First, donate gift cards. According to an article published by the Pixel
Project, “Women many times leave their homes very quickly without
packing. All they take with them are their children and the clothes on their
back. A great way to assist would be clothing or superstore gift
cards…” (16 Ways to Help Your Local Domestic Violence Shelter).

6. • With these gift cards, women can
buy the right size clothing for
themselves and their children, along
with getting professional attire to
wear to job interviews so they can
secure their finances independently.

7. • Next, volunteer to work at a hotline.
• Local shelters or even rape crisis centers have hotlines that
are in need of volunteers since they are generally open
24/7.

8. • Volunteers usually have to
go through certain
training courses and
commit to work a few
days per week answering
phones, so being willing
to do these things even
though they can be time
consuming is key.
• Just remember, working
for hotlines is extremely
rewarding - you can save
lives.

9. • Lastly, think about writing
a newsletter.
• Especially if you are a
strong writer, using words
to assist a local shelter’s
quarterly or monthly
newsletter can help the
shelter out immensely.
• Writing articles about
women’s rights and
healthy relationships are
two great topics to speak
about and may even help
women reach out about
their own struggles.

10. • Keeping people aware and educated of the
problem at hand (in this case, abuse) is the most
important step towards eliminating it.

11. • If you want to know more
ways in which you can help
your local domestic
violence shelter, please
read Pixel Project’s article
here , where you can
further learn about their
previous campaign
concerning women’s rights
and domestic violence.