Women Like Estelle* Need Your Help Today!

Domestic violence takes all forms. It’s not only men, spouses, or even romantic partners who perpetrate against those they know. And it can happen to anyone.

Take Estelle’s* story. She married her high school sweetheart, had a family, and lived happily in the town where she grew up. Sounds perfect, right?

It was until her husband passed away. And providing for her daughter Joy* became a years-long struggle complicated by Estelle’s disabling disease.

Estelle and her adult daughter relocated out of state to a more affordable town and took up residence in a rental home owned by a woman they believed they could trust. Then the manipulation, gaslighting, game-playing, and mental and verbal abuse began.

After trying to leave multiple times, the situation escalated dangerously. The “friend” slashed their tires, but Joy had Gorilla Tape and an air compressor. She quickly repaired the tires, and she and her mother fled.

Unfortunately, Estelle and Joy’s story isn’t unique. You can help others like them today.

The effects of the pandemic on domestic violence show no signs of letting up, even as communities get back to a new normal. YWCA Cortland continues to see dramatically increased needs for victims’ services to help women like Estelle and Joy.

Can we count on you to support women like Estelle and Joy with a gift for the YWCA Cortland 2023 Annual Giving Campaign?

Read more about Estelle and Joy's story and how YWCA's Aid to Victims of Violence services can help others like them.

To donate by check, please make the check payable to "YWCA Cortland" and mail to 14 Clayton Ave., Cortland, NY 13045. To support this fundraising campaign, be sure to write 'Annual Giving" in the memo line.

To donate with a credit card over the phone, please call the YWCA front desk at 607-753-9651 and mention the gift is for Annual Giving.

If you have any questions, please contact Robyn Hayes, Director of Development, by emailing robyn@cortlandywca.org.