Disaster Relief: How You Can Help Victims of Domestic & Sexual Violence
Our hearts are aching for those affected by natural disasters this year. The immediate devastation is immense, and yet we know that the long-term rebuilding of the affected areas will take time and an incredible amount of support.
As efforts to repair are underway, we encourage you to support survivors and those who are most vulnerable as they rebuild.
Here are some suggested organizations you can give to:
Virgin Islands Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council’s J.A.M. Fund
DVSAC partnered with the Magras family to establish the J.A.M. Fund in honor of Jeanette Ann Magras who was murdered by her husband, leaving children behind. The scope of this fund has been temporarily expanded to include emergency relief as well. To make a donation, please visit the DVSAC website and include “JAM Fund” in your notes.
Houston Area Women’s Center
There are several ways to give to survivors who rely on HAWC, including monetary and urgent-need item donations. They are also accepting in-person donations of grocery store gift cards. For all the ways to give, see here.
The Door (FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center)
The Door is a shelter for women and children located in Humble, Texas, and run by the FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center. For ways to help, visit their website here.
Family Services of Southeast Texas
Family Services of Southeast Texas serves families and individuals in crisis in the Beaumont, TX area. The Women and Children’s Shelter flooded due to Hurricane Harvey, so they are in need of help to get back up and running. You can make a donation to them here.
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
AVDA has served Houston for over 37 years. The AVDA Victim Relief Fund will support the group’s clients who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey. To give to the relief fund, visit the AVDA website.
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
You can help Florida domestic violence survivors through the Hurricane Irma Relief Fund. It will help to ensure that domestic violence survivors, their children, and their pets have access to safe and secure emergency services and programs. The fund will also go to certified domestic violence centers repairs. Donate to the relief fund here.
Immokalee and Florida Farmworker Communities
Many Immokalee families were left homeless, and fields were decimated following the storm’s wrath. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has started a Hurricane Irma Relief Fund for these communities, which you can donate to here.
Grassroots Florida Organizations
Several organizations will benefit from the Hurricane Irma Community Recovery Fund. It will help volunteers, community groups, and grassroots leaders to ensure that no neighborhood gets left behind in the devastation of Hurricane Irma. The fund goes toward critical services, including healthcare, housing and transportation, legal representation, and longer-term organizing. To give to the fund, visit this site.
National Network to End Domestic Violence
NNEDV helps victims of violence all over the country, and it has created a Disaster Relief Fund for Survivors of Domestic Violence. And 100% of the proceeds will go to victims in need. Go here to donate.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
A recent news article discussed how disasters like Hurricane Harvey can exacerbate the factors that lead people to commit sexual assault. NSVRC has established The Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims, which collects donations to address the needs of sexual assault survivors during and after disasters across the country. Go here to give.
