Recent Blogs

At RESPOND, we believe everyone deserves to live free from violence—no matter who they are or who they love. This Pride Month, we celebrate the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirm our commitment to creating safe, affirming spaces for all survivors. The Reality: LGBTQIA+ Communities and Domestic Violence While domestic violence affects people of......

Nonprofits like RESPOND rely on a diverse mix of support to drive their missions forward: government funding, individual donations, event proceeds, business partnerships, corporate matching gifts, and one especially critical yet often behind-the-scenes source, foundation grants. Foundation grants can fund specific projects, essential services, or even general operations. They are often the key to launching......

This Mother’s Day, we honor the courage, compassion, and drive of the RESPOND’s founding mothers—a group of women who took their shared vision and turned it into an organization that has saved countless lives. Honoring the Founding Mothers & Supporters of RESPOND In the early 1970s, domestic violence was a hidden crisis, rarely talked about.......

As the days grow longer and the trees turns green again after a long winter, many of us feel a natural pull to be outdoors. Whether it’s the urge to take a walk through the woods, the view of bees buzzing around freshly bloomed flowers, or the fresh scent of rain-soaked soil, different aspects of......

One of the most common myths about domestic violence is that alcohol and drugs are the root cause of abusive behavior. While substance use can escalate the severity of violence or make incidents more frequent, it’s crucial to understand that addiction and intoxication do not cause abuse. Abuse is a choice—rooted in a desire for......

Domestic violence is often misunderstood. Many believe it happens because of anger, stress, or external factors like substance use. However, at its core, domestic violence is about power and control. The person causing harm seeks to dominate their partner and maintain authority through a range of behaviors and tactics. A domestic violence relationship is more......

When you think of volunteering at RESPOND, you might picture hands-on, front-line roles—helping at events or directly interacting with those in need. While these are important, there’s another side of volunteering that often goes unnoticed: the behind-the-scenes work. Tasks like stamping envelopes, assembling informational packets, and organizing supplies may seem small, but they’re the essential......

The Women History Classes Forgot to Mention When we think of history’s most influential figures, we often hear about politicians, scientists, and activists who made sweeping changes. However, the subject of domestic violence is often overlooked and many of the women who transformed the movement to end domestic violence remain overlooked. Their work has shaped......

You’ve probably heard the term “gaslighting” in recent years—it has become a go-to word for describing a specific kind of manipulation, one that makes someone question their own perception of reality. But where did this term actually come from? A Word Born from the Stage Believe it or not, “gaslighting” has its roots in a......

As we observe Black History Month (BHM) in 2025 under the theme “African Americans and Labor,” we take a moment to honor and reflect on the incredible contributions of Black leaders who have made a lasting impact in many fields, including the ongoing efforts to end domestic violence. We recognize those who have dedicated their......

Art therapy is not just about an outcome – it’s about the process.   Through the creative process, individuals can express difficult emotions, process trauma, and find empowerment. Whether through painting, drawing, or making collages, art therapy provides a unique outlet for survivors to make sense of their experiences and reclaim their narrative. For survivors......

Posted on February 11th, 2025: Romantic comedies have long been a beloved genre, offering humor and heartwarming moments. But beneath the charm and swoon-worthy confessions, many rom-coms glorify behaviors that, in real life, can be signs of coercive control. One of the most concerning: Love Bombing......