Strengthening safety, peace & stability

Peace on Earth Begins at Home

When we are embraced by safety and stability, we have the power to create the future of our dreams. For the adults and children we serve, their journey toward strength and serenity is possible because of your compassion. With incredible courage, survivors of domestic violence persevere through unimaginable harm to begin healing and building a better life. But they can’t do it alone.

Nina was in a calm, loving relationship at first. She was married to her abuser for 13 years. Slowly, her husband began verbally and emotionally tormenting her. He controlled her paycheck and withheld access to their bank accounts. Nina and her son lived in constant fear, suffering daily intimidation, name-calling, and threats. When the abuse intensified to physical attacks, Nina knew it would only get worse if they stayed. She was terrified to leave, but she had to protect her son. Isolated from family and friends, Nina bravely confided in a coworker who helped connect her to YWCA.

“Before, I lived day by day, and I was scared not to see tomorrow. Without this program, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now, I can breathe, and I look forward to not just tomorrow but the future. I can finally say my son and I are safe and free. I will forever be grateful.”

Through our Vi McKinney Becky’s House® Shelter program, Nina received critical support to safely escape and obtain legal protection. In our transitional housing, she and her son began healing with counseling and a stable home life. Nina focused on improving her finances and found a second job to pay down her debts. With renewed confidence and guidance from her case manager, she moved to an affordable apartment of her own. Today, Nina receives rental assistance and ongoing support to strengthen her path to lasting stability and independence. She looks forward to completing her nursing credentials and seeing her son graduate soon.

This holiday season, will you join us in bringing peace and freedom to survivors like Nina and her son? Your generosity provides the life-changing services they need to overcome domestic violence and thrive. Together, we are empowering survivors to create the future of their dreams.

Mother and son

Ways to Give

YWCA offers a variety of giving options to make it easy for you to support our solutions for survivors:

Our Impact is Powered by Donors Like You

With your support, YWCA San Diego County empowers individuals and families to break the cycle of domestic violence and homelessness, and achieve self-sufficiency. Building upon a historic legacy, we are committed to empowering women, eliminating racism, and advocating for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.

“I continue my mother’s legacy of giving to YWCA because so many people need a safe place to go. YWCA changes lives and it’s important that we all give whatever we can to help.”

Norinne McKinney
YWCA legacy supporter

We provide life-changing crisis interventions, safe shelter and housing, integrated services, and advocacy support programs for domestic violence survivors. Last year, we helped adults and children gain peace, safety, and lasting stability:

  • 99% improved their self-confidence, life skills, and economic security
  • 99% did not return to their abusers, breaking the cycle of domestic violence
  • 100% secured homes of their own and lasting self-reliance after completing our longer-term housing programs

Crisis Interventions

Immediate protection, counseling, and safety planning for people experiencing domestic violence

Housing & Shelter

Safe housing and homeless prevention services to support adult and child survivors

Advocacy & Support

Integrated services to assist survivors with healing, education, and legal protections

Domestic Violence in the Community

  • 1 in 4 women, 1 in 7 men, and 1 in 2 trans and nonbinary people experience domestic violence in their lifetimes

  • 1 in 5 children and youth experience domestic violence and are three times more likely to become victims or abusers in the future

  • 99% of domestic violence cases involve financial abuse, including forced job loss, economic isolation, coerced debt, and damaged credit

  • 57% of unhoused women attribute domestic violence as the cause of their homelessness

  • In San Diego County, law enforcement responds to nearly 17,000 calls about domestic violence incidents every year, although most are never reported