October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and National Bullying Prevention Month. This month, Empower Yolo launches its 12th Annual Paint Yolo Purple campaign (purple representing domestic violence awareness)—an opportunity to engage communities, elevate awareness, and strengthen our collective efforts to end domestic violence.
DVAM reminds us that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in the U.S. experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime (CDC), suffering physical, emotional, financial, sexual, and/or spiritual abuse. This is a time to support survivors, increase understanding of abuse, and turn awareness into meaningful action through education, intervention, and prevention.
“Empower Yolo is a strong and trusted presence for people facing domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking,” says Celina Alveraz, executive director of Empower Yolo. Empower Yolo is Yolo County’s largest provider of services for survivors, their children, and families — and the only local agency offering this comprehensive continuum of crisis care, confidential shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, housing assistance, and practical support.
“When someone must leave abuse, safety cannot wait. A survivor may need a confidential place to sleep that very night, help obtaining a restraining order, clothing for a child, or support finding stable housing. Our 24-hour crisis line and 35-bed safehouse — including space for family pets — provide immediate protection. From there, our staff helps families stabilize, meet basic necessities, and regain independence,” says Alveraz.
Together, these services help survivors move from immediate crisis toward safety, stability, and independence. Leaving domestic violence is not a single moment — it is often a long process of rebuilding. Safe shelter, childcare, employment support, housing assistance, and basic necessities such as food and clothing can all be critical to helping survivors and their families move forward with dignity.
In 2025, Empower Yolo provided safe shelter to 211 survivors of abuse (103 who were children) for 8,512 bed nights.
This work is especially urgent now. More people in our community need assistance, while government funding cuts are placing essential services under severe pressure. Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an important opportunity for community members to learn more, get involved, and help sustain these vital programs.
This year’s Paint Yolo Purple campaign includes several events and activities throughout October:
Board member community outreach: Throughout October, Empower Yolo’s board of directors will be engaging in community outreach at local farmers' markets throughout Yolo County.
DVAM Proclamations: Local leaders will recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month with proclamations throughout the month. On Tuesday, October 6, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors will present a proclamation at 9 a.m. at 625 Court Street, Room 202, Woodland; followed by the Woodland City Council at 6 p.m. and the Davis City Council at 6:30 p.m. at Davis City Hall, 23 Russell Blvd. Additional resolutions will be presented by the Woodland Joint Unified School District on Thursday, October 8, the Yolo County Office of Education on Tuesday, October 13, at 3:30 p.m., and the Davis Joint Unified School District on Thursday, October 15 at the school board meeting.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Day: On October 8, consider supporting Empower Yolo through your DAF. A DAF is a charitable account that allows donors to contribute money or assets, receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to nonprofits over time. You can give to Empower Yolo through your DAF at any time—and help spread the word to friends and family who may have one.
Wear Purple Day: Wear purple on Thursday, October 15 to show solidarity with survivors and help raise awareness about domestic violence. Post a photo and tag #wearpurpleday2026, @empoweryolo on Facebook, or @empower_yolo on Instagram/X.
Battle of the Badge: On Thursday, October 9, Empower Yolo will host its annual bowling tournament, bringing together law enforcement partners and public servants in support of our mission.
Mojo’s Celebrity Bartending Night: Join us and bring your friends on Tuesday, October 20, 5–7 p.m. at Mojo’s Lounge & Bar, 428 1st Street in Woodland, for a fun, casual evening to learn more about Empower Yolo and support domestic violence programs. This year’s celebrity bartender is Woodland Police Chief Ryan Kinnan. Mojo’s “Cocktail for a Cause,” a Honeydew Pink Apple drink, will also be served throughout October, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Empower Yolo.
Weekly Platicas (Conversations): In partnership with Ole Health, our Sexual Violence Prevention Promotores will be hosting weekly conversations in Spanish on Zoom on Wednesdays from 5 - 6 p.m. The month-long series of events is focused on raising awareness, promoting prevention, and supporting those affected by domestic violence.
While October brings additional attention to domestic violence, prevention and education are year-round efforts. Empower Yolo works to engage young people and the broader community in conversations about healthy relationships, sexual violence prevention, and creating safer communities.
Last month’s youth art showcase, featuring original artwork by students from Pioneer and Woodland high schools, centered on the theme “Ending Sexual Violence and Promoting Safe and Healthy Relationships.” The students’ artwork will now become part of a mobile art display that can be shared at schools, community organizations, public events, and other gathering places throughout Yolo County — extending their messages of prevention, healthy relationships, and positive change to the wider community.
In October, Empower Yolo’s After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) programs at Pioneer and Woodland high schools will also recognize National Bullying Prevention Month with activities promoting kindness, inclusion, and bullying prevention. Weekly student workshops will explore recognizing bullying and its impact, being an upstander, building inclusive community, and creating an Anti-Bullying Action Plan. Students can also participate in an art contest encouraging their peers to help create safer, kinder, and more inclusive school communities.
Empower Youth Community Service Club at Davis Senior High School will also lead a DVAM and anti-bullying campaign, using educational posters and social media to engage their peers, raise awareness, promote healthy relationships, help prevent bullying, and connect students with helpful resources.
Empower Yolo supports the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s (NNEDV) #Every1KnowsSome1 campaign, which emphasizes a simple but powerful reality: everyone knows someone affected by domestic violence, whether they realize it or not.
High rates of domestic violence are not simply private, individual problems; they require community solutions. By acknowledging this reality, we can collectively work toward ending domestic violence and creating safe, healthy communities for everyone (NNEDV).
There are many ways to stand with survivors and advance Empower Yolo’s mission — from raising awareness about domestic violence and prevention to contributing to domestic and sexual violence programs. Donations can be made at empoweryolo.org and may be given in honor or memory of those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Community generosity is vital to sustaining survivor services and prevention education programs.
Through Paint Yolo Purple, Empower Yolo invites our community to come together during DVAM to raise awareness, stand with survivors, and strengthen our collective efforts to prevent and end domestic violence. By engaging our communities in education, awareness, and action, we can continue building a future where everyone can live free from violence — and advance our mission of promoting safe, healthy, and resilient communities.