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Urban Resource Institute and The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Join Forces to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence
This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Urban Resource Institute partners with The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated to heal, hold, and center survivors through awareness projects and The Art of EmpowHERment program in Harlem.
New York, NY, October 1, 2024 – This October, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), Urban Resource Institute (URI) is pleased to announce an expanded collaboration with The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (GNY Links) as a premier partner to enhance support for survivors of domestic violence. GNY Links is a leading professional women’s volunteer organization celebrating 75 years of service, volunteerism and impact in the Greater New York community.
Building upon the 16 years of collaboration between the GNY Links and URI, this year we are launching a dynamic DVAM social media campaign as part of the National Call for Unity: Connective Action. This initiative is designed to bring together advocates and survivors, reinforcing our united front against domestic violence. By encouraging participants to pause and reconnect, this campaign aligns perfectly with this year’s DVAM theme, “Heal, Hold & Center,” focusing on ending and healing from domestic violence.
Through this campaign, vital information will be shared across GNY Links and URI networks about the dynamics of intimate partner violence, the availability of critical resources and empowering messages for survivors.
Alongside the social media initiatives, URI and GNY are introducing The Art of EmpowHERment – a transformative program conceived by GNY’s Arts Facet dedicated to empowering the women and youth in residence at URI’s Urban Women’s Retreat in Harlem through a series of interactive cultural excursions and wellness workshops. The Art of EmpowHERment initiative is a direct reflection of the DVAM theme, emphasizing healing, support, and giving priority to those most impacted by violence and oppression.
As the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter and support services, URI houses 3,900 individuals nightly across its 25 New York City shelters, 15 of which cater specifically to survivors of domestic violence. Each year, URI assists approximately 40,000 individuals who have experienced homelessness or domestic violence.
The partnership between URI and the GNY Links harnesses combined resources, expertise, and commitment to forge a stronger network of support, advocacy, and education, driving meaningful change in the lives of survivors – prioritizing those most impacted by violence and oppression.
“Launching Domestic Violence Awareness Month in partnership with The Greater New York Chapter of The Links underscores our collective commitment to uplifting and safeguarding the city’s most vulnerable. This year’s DVAM theme and the launch of this initiative highlight our commitment to ensure survivors have spaces to heal from violence, have their voices heard, and regain control of their lives—particularly in Black and brown communities impacted by violence and oppression,” said Nathaniel Fields, CEO of Urban Resource Institute. “True justice involves tackling the systemic inequalities that underpin domestic violence. This effort aligns perfectly with our goal to effect lasting change and uphold that there is no justice without racial justice.”
“As a Black women’s organization, Greater New York Chapter of The Links is aware of the disparate impact of domestic violence and femicide on African American women in New York City,” stated DeNora Getachew, President of The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. “We are therefore honored to deepen our decades-long partnership with the Urban Resource Institute as we work together to support survivors and their families. And, like URI, we share a long-standing commitment to the Harlem community, especially in supporting Black people through our diverse service initiatives.
About The Art of EmpowHERment Program:
The Art of EmpowHERment program will feature a series of events and workshops through 2025, including voter registration drives this month, cultural excursions, and self-expression activities, culminating in a celebratory wellness retreat. Throughout these activities, participants will receive personalized affirmation cards and journals to document and reflect on their experiences, culminating in a special wellness retreat to celebrate their journey and evaluate the program’s impact. These events are designed to build confidence, foster community, and celebrate the resilience of survivors.
The program will commence with an orientation session at Urban Women’s Retreat on October 3. This introductory event includes an overview of the program’s scope, featuring author and wellness expert Lyn R. Grady, Your Be Well Bestie, alongside arts and crafts activities tailored for children in attendance.
“We deeply appreciate The Greater New York Chapter of The Links for their unwavering dedication and hands-on involvement with the staff and residents at Urban Women’s Retreat. The Art of EmpowHERment program will provide essential creative and therapeutic activities that significantly aid in the healing and growth processes for the women and youth we support. Community engagement is critical in our work, reinforcing that it truly takes a village to help survivors,” stated Malika Kayou, Program Director at Urban Women’s Retreat at Urban Resource Institute.
For more information about The Art of EmpowHERment and other URI initiatives, or to learn how you can support survivors of domestic violence, email media@urinyc.org.
About The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated:
Greater New York Chapter, founded in 1949, is the first chapter chartered in New York and comprises members from all five boroughs in New York City and from Long Island. Greater New York Chapter is committed to fostering community outreach in the New York metropolitan area through quality programs with a long-term impact. Focusing on the well-being and enrichment of African Americans and other traditionally underserved communities, Greater New York serves the community through each of its five Facets: Services to Youth, The Arts, Health and Human Services, National Trends and Services and International Trends and Services. We also award thousands of dollars annually to deserving Black female students through the Dr. Marcella Maxwell and Mrs. Betty King Obiajulu scholarship.
For more information visit Greater New York Chapter of The Links at: https://greaternewyorklinksinc.org/, on Instagram @gnylinks, and on Facebook.
About Urban Resource Institute:
Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a pioneering organization that transforms the lives of domestic violence survivors and homeless families by empowering individuals, families, and communities to break free from cycles of domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, and trauma. As the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the U.S. and a leading advocate for homeless services, URI impacts over 40,000 individuals annually through prevention, intervention, education, and direct services in both residential and non-residential settings in New York. URI is recognized as a thought-leader with influence across the U.S. and beyond. For more information, visit www.urinyc.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please contact NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
