This October, as we recognize both Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and National Bullying Prevention Month, Empower Yolo launches its 11th Annual Paint Yolo Purple (purple representing Domestic Violence Awareness) campaign—a month of action dedicated to raising awareness, advancing prevention education, and supporting survivors of abuse and their families.
During DVAM, we are reminded that abuse can take many forms—physical, emotional, financial, sexual, technological, and even spiritual. Its impact reaches far beyond intimate relationships, touching the lives of family members, partners, elders, coworkers, and many others in our community.
“The need for support for survivors and their children remains urgent, as domestic and sexual violence continue to deeply affect families across our community,” says Celina Alveraz, executive director of Empower Yolo. “Every day, we witness this reality in our emergency safe house, which is consistently at capacity, reflecting just how critical these services are,” Alveraz adds.
In 2024, Empower Yolo provided safe shelter to 213 survivors of abuse (of which 82 were children) for 10,439 bed nights.
In addition to shelter, Empower Yolo offers a range of services to survivors and their children, including 24-hour crisis intervention, legal advocacy, counseling and support groups, housing services, financial empowerment services, case management, mobile medical services, food, clothing, and more.
This month, we are enhancing our commitment to prevention education throughout the community. “Beyond raising awareness about domestic violence, we are calling on the community to join us in advancing prevention initiatives. True prevention goes beyond responding to violence after it happens—it means taking proactive, community-driven steps to address the root causes and create lasting change,” says Alveraz.
Empower Yolo has long been a leader in providing critical services to survivors, including community education. The promotores program plays a powerful role by engaging trusted community advocates—often former clients—to uplift cultural strengths, promote prevention in neighborhoods, and help connect people to safety and healing.
“Promotores can be community members, leaders, or anyone who chooses to volunteer in support of the rights of children, youth, people with disabilities, older adults, and others in need of help, information, or referrals. Their work is vital because they are trusted individuals who believe it is possible to prevent violence,” says Maria Elena Martinez, promotora, Empower Yolo, Rape Prevention & Education Program.
The promotores recently completed their training through our Rape Prevention and Education program. The training was a great success, leaving them well-informed about services and resources and motivated to engage with the community to share what they’ve learned.
One promotora shared, “I am very grateful to be part of this training and to be able to support and help my community. It’s hard to put into words all that Empower Yolo does to share information for the well-being of the community. I am very happy with everything I learned about how to prevent violence.”
Another promotora shared, “I think Empower Yolo does a great job for the community. It’s very important for people who need services to know that they can count on Empower Yolo.”
During DVAM, promotores will be out in the community not only raising awareness but also taking action and engaging community members to understand and address the root causes of domestic violence and strengthening protective factors that keep families safe and supported. “The promotores have been helping with outreach, tabling events, and for October, they will be co-facilitating and presenting different topics related to preventing and ending sexual and domestic violence. We are having monthly meetings to continue their engagement,” said Martinez.
This year’s Paint Yolo Purple campaign, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will include the following events and activities:
Yolobus and community outreach: In October, the board of directors is actively engaging in community outreach. Keep an eye out for Empower Yolo’s relationship spectrum posters on Yolo County buses. Board members are also connecting with local businesses throughout the county to share information about services. Thank you to Yolobus/Yolo Transportation District and all the local businesses for their support! If you are a business owner and would like information about domestic violence to share with staff and customers, please contact us at [email protected].
Weekly Plåticas (Conversations): In partnership with CommuniCare+Ole, the Promotores will be hosting weekly conversations in Spanish for October on Wednesdays from 5 pm – 6 pm. The October 1 meeting will be in person at the Hansen Family Health Center | CommuniCare+OLE, and the additional meetings will be on Zoom. For more info, visit empoweryolo.org.
Battle of the Badge: Annual bowling tournament with law enforcement partners and public servants.
Empower Through Wellness Event: We invite you to join us for the Empower Through Wellness Event benefiting Empower Yolo. Saturday, October 4, 2025, 4 – 8 PM, Great Bear Vineyards, Davis. Enjoy Pilates, a sunset sound-bath, wellness marketplace, silent auction & raffle, light bites, and more—all while supporting vital services for survivors and families in Yolo County. Tickets and event details are available at: empowerthroughwellness.net. Sponsored by Spa Central for DVAM. If you can’t attend but wish to support, you may donate at empoweryolo.org/empower-through-wellness/.
Volunteer with Empower Yolo: Our fall peer counselor training begins in October. If you missed this round, a new session will begin in the spring. For more info or other ways to get involved, visit: empoweryolo.org/volunteer/.
DVAM Proclamations: The Yolo County Board of Supervisors and the Davis City Council will present proclamations recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Tuesday, October 7, at board chambers, 625 Court Street, Room 202, Woodland, 9 – 10 am; and at Davis City Hall, 23 Russell Blvd, 6:30 pm.
Mojo’s Celebrity Bartending Night: Join us for our DVAM kick-off event, Tuesday, October 7, 5-7 pm at Mojo’s Lounge & Bar, 428 1st Street, Woodland. Meet and welcome our celebrity bartender, Celina Alveraz, our new executive director! Bring your friends to a fun, casual evening to learn more about Empower Yolo and support domestic violence programs. Empower Yolo will receive a portion of the proceeds from the “Cocktail for a Cause” for October.
Commons Town Hall: For DVAM, Empower Yolo’s legal advocate will join the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office for their monthly virtual meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 3 – 4 PM, focusing on domestic violence data and including information on prevention and services. Register at https://yoloda.org/commons-town-hall-meetings/.
Wear Purple Day, Thursday, October 16: Wear purple to show your support for survivors. Post your photo to show your support; tag #wearpurpleday2025, @empoweryolo (FB), @empower_yolo (IG & X).
Domestic Violence Awareness Prevention Forum: Monday, October 27, 5 – 6:30 pm, Davis Senior Center. Join us for a community forum in partnership with Supervisor Sheila Allen and Supervisor Lucas Frerichs. This supportive gathering features local organizations, service providers, and advocacy groups for domestic violence survivors.
A huge thank you to our sponsors, anonymous donors, and Spa Central in Davis for supporting DVAM.
You can support our mission by standing with survivors, raising awareness about domestic violence and prevention, and contributing to domestic and sexual violence programs. Donations can be made anytime at empoweryolo.org—in honor or memory of survivors impacted by domestic violence. Your generosity is vital in maintaining our domestic violence and prevention education programs.
Through our Paint Yolo Purple campaign, Empower Yolo reaffirms its commitment to raising awareness, strengthening prevention education efforts, and supporting survivors—while continuing our mission of promoting safe, healthy, and resilient communities.