Week Without Violence is part of a global movement with YWCAs across the country and around the World to end violence. At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally and that some victims go unrecognized altogether. That’s why, for more than 20 years, the YWCA has set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence.

Week Without Violence takes place this year on Oct.21-26. The primary objective of the YWCA Quad Cities Week Without Violence campaign is to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of violence in our communities and to promote peaceful, non-violent solutions. Through a week-long series of events and activities, we aim to educate, engage, and empower individuals and communities to take action against violence.

On Wednesday, October 23rd at 10:00 a.m., we are asking the community to take a stand against violence. They are invited to the YWCA to take a picture with our photo frames that say, “What a world without violence looks like.” We are encouraging them to share their photos on social media using the hashtag #WeekWithoutViolence to start the conversation about putting a stop to violence.

On Friday, Oct. 25 our ThePlace2B program is hosting a youth forum on violence. Any youth in the Quad Cities is invited to join us for an informal session to talk about ways that violence affects youth and help develop ideas for solutions. It will be a safe space for youth to share their stories. The forum will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the YWCA Quad Cities (513 17th St, Rock Island, IL). Pizza will be provided, and we will also have a drawing for gift cards.

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