Where Love Leads, Healing Can Emerge!

This October, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Community Connect is highlighting Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse and ways our St. Francis community can support survivors. Emerge helps people build lives free from abuse while working to address its underlying causes, with each survivor’s needs guiding the support they receive.

Throughout the month, information from Emerge will be available after Sunday celebrations, including resources for LGBTQIA+ community members. Stop by to learn about available services, find information to share with someone who may need it, and explore ways to support survivors and those seeking help.

You can also help meet immediate needs by purchasing items through Emerge’s Amazon wish list or donating requested items in the lobby. Watch for additional details this October, including the supplies being collected and how your contributions can help.

Ways To Get Involved
Supporting survivors can begin with your time, your skills, or a willingness to learn. Emerge’s Purple Ribbon Volunteer Program offers opportunities for individuals and groups to assist with donations, support events, and work alongside staff. Contact Emerge to learn about current opportunities and the steps involved in volunteering.

You can also bring friends, coworkers, or a community group together for a fundraiser or donation drive. For those interested in learning together, Emerge offers presentations and workshops about domestic abuse and how to respond with care. These are ways to carry our support beyond October and into everyday life.

How You Can Help
Everyday necessities can ease some of the pressure on individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. Emerge’s current wish list is the best place to start, since needs and requested sizes change. Donations must be new and unexpired; used items cannot be accepted. Consider contributing individually or organizing a collection with others.
Some Items of greatest need include:

• Diapers, Pull-Ups

• Menstrual products

• New underwear in the requested sizes

• Full-size toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, and body wash

• Requested natural hair care products and household cleaning supplies

• A financial gift, with a workplace matching donation if available

Learn MoreEmerge Center Against Domestic Abuse supports individuals and families through emergency shelter and community-based services. Its services include emotional support, safety planning, support groups, legal advocacy and referrals, and support for children and families. Survivors can explore their options with people who respect their choices and understand that everyone’s circumstances are different.

Understanding abuse can help us recognize when someone may need support. Emerge’s Resource Library explains warning signs and patterns of power and control, including resources focused on LGBTQ relationships. Its guide to supporting a loved one offers practical guidance: listen without judgment, believe what someone shares, and respect their decisions.

For confidential support, Emerge’s 24/7 multilingual hotline is available at 520-795-4266 or 1-888-428-0101. Hotline specialists can offer emotional support, help with safety planning, and information about available services. Friends and family members concerned about a loved one are welcome to call, too.