October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and purple ribbons were displayed in downtown Hood River as a reminder of our shared responsibility to create a safer community.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and purple ribbons were displayed in downtown Hood River as a reminder of our shared responsibility to create a safer community.
This fall marks an exciting new chapter for Helping Hands Against Violence as we welcome Kelsey Strand as our new executive director. Strand brings a background in engineering, leadership, and community service, along with a deep love for the Hood River community, which she has called home for the past 10 years.
We are also grateful to outgoing Executive Director Stephanie Irving for more than 12 years of compassionate leadership. Her care and commitment to survivors have helped shape Helping Hands into the organization it is today. We are excited to build on this foundation, expanding our ability to support survivors in our community and strengthening our efforts to prevent abuse before it starts.
While our leadership is changing, our mission remains the same. Helping Hands exists to provide safety, shelter, and advocacy to people experiencing domestic violence in our community. We operate an emergency shelter with space for six families, as well as transitional housing for three families.
Behind these numbers are real people: women seeking safety for their children, individuals rebuilding their independence, and families working toward a future free from abuse. Each survivor’s story is different, and our role is to meet them with dignity, compassion, and the resources they need to move forward.
Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, income, education, or background. It is not always physical. Abuse can take the form of intimidation, threats, isolation, financial control, or other behaviors used to establish power and control over another person.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a reminder that awareness is only the beginning. Real change happens when communities recognize an issue and choose to take action. This month, you might have seen purple ribbons throughout downtown Hood River, serving as a visual reminder of those who are still living with abuse and our shared responsibility to help create a safer community.
Learn to recognize the signs of abuse, listen to and stand with survivors, model healthy relationships, and speak up against abuse. Make a donation to agencies providing safety and shelter for local survivors. Volunteer your time to support survivors.
Whether through volunteering, donating essential supplies, giving financially, or simply being someone a survivor can turn to without judgment, we all have a role to play. Visit www.helpinghandsoregon.org to learn more, make a donation, or find ways to get involved. Together, we can help build a community where everyone can live free from violence.
To everyone who has supported Helping Hands over the years, thank you! This work would not be possible without you. A safer community is something we build together.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, Helping Hands offers confidential support through our 24-hour crisis hotline at 541-386-6603. To learn more, volunteer, or make a donation, visit www.helpinghandsoregon.org.
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This column was submitted by the Helping Hands Against Violence Board of Directors.
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