This country owes the innovation, wisdom, and passion of young Black leaders who go unnoticed and unnamed in mainstream history books. February boasts both Black History Month and Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. These months are not only for making clear the intersections between violence prevention, Black history, and safety but also for looking toward leaders creating safe and brave spaces and dismantling white supremacy — Black youth leaders.

“It’s like they give you enough time to get yourself halfway out of the position you’re in, and then they just let you go.” – Youth, King County Youth of Color Needs Assessment

This Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), we’re centering the unique needs of runaway and homeless youth (RHY) experiencing relationship violence, particularly Black and Trans youth living at the intersections of multiple forms of oppression.

Advocates are essential. With the work of anti-violence advocates and activists, survivors, their families, and their communities can access and center safety, healing, and joy. 

This blog post highlights NRCDV's new video series highlighting the stories of three advocates who share how COVID-19 has impacted their work, why they are essential workers, and why the work of serving those experiencing violence within their respective communities is essential. #1Thing you can do today is listen to their stories. 

"Vote As If Your Life Depends On It" -because it does! - Justin Dart.

Never in the history of voting has voting become so important to people with disabilities. For people with disabilities, the right to vote was there but accessibility was not. Watch this video from Uniting to End Violence Against People with Disabilities giving concrete options and resources to ensure that people with disabilities can vote.

“This moment in time is a call for transformation – a critical opportunity to revisit the roots of our movement to end gender-based violence in ways that can purposefully restore humanity for all.” – Meeting this Moment: Meaningful Engagement for Social Change during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Beyond​​​​​

As we approach Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2020, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project invites you to commit to doing #1Thing to help create safe and thriving communities for all.

Elections provide a key opportunity for voters to engage in systems-level advocacy by voting for the candidates and ballot measures that best represent our values. 

This is especially critical right now, as voters prepare to address key issues in local, state, and federal races this November. There are many opportunities for nonprofits to legally engage in elections activities, which makes domestic violence service providers well-positioned to play a pivotal role in supporting survivors’ access to their right to vote.

In celebration of Father's Day, Rus Ervin Funk shares reflections on his roles as a father and as an advocate.

"Of course, we all want the best for our kids. We want them to thrive. We also want them to develop into human beings who will challenge the status quo and push back against injustice." In celebration of Father's Day, NRCDV's Joe Ostrander reflects on what it means to be a father and an advocate in the movement to end domestic violence.

Mothers and maternal caregivers who are advocates do this work for many of the same reasons they mother – they believe in the power of love and compassion; they care about people and their right to thrive; they are invested in building safe, healthy, and strong communities. These separate identities are naturally intertwined, but have never been as integrated for mother advocates then at this very moment.