$393,000 Raised for State’s Largest Domestic Violence Shelter

 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 1, 2019) – More than 500 friends and supporters of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee shopped and sipped for a good cause during the seventh annual Wine Women & Shoes on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Music City Center. The event was presented by Regions, and proceeds support the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Services programs, including the Weaver Domestic Violence Center, the 24-Hour Crisis & Support Helpline, and Re-New at the YWCA. Click here to view photos of the event. Hundreds of the Nashville’s most fashion-forward women—and a few dozen “Sole Men”—enjoyed a day out of the rain for an afternoon of wine tastings from some of the country’s top vintners, exclusive shopping from local and national vendors, and an exciting live and silent auction. CMT on-air personality Marley Sherwood was this year’s emcee, and the event was co-chaired by Lucia Folk, Shay Howard, and Cameron Simmons.“Wine Women & Shoes is a party, but there’s a purpose behind it that everyone in the room can feel,” said Sharon K. Roberson, YWCA president and CEO. “Domestic violence impacts so many lives, and we heard directly from the family members of victims and survivors who were brave enough to share their powerful stories with us. It is only through education that we can break the cycle of violence and make Nashville the safest city in the nation for women and girls.”The event’s mission moment featured a powerful video of family members sharing the impact domestic violence has had on their lives. The generous guests responded by donating more than $115,000 to the YWCA in the ten minutes following the video. In total, the event raised more than $393,000 for the YWCA’s domestic violence services.Throughout the event, monetary contributions were explained in terms of the impact it has on the individuals staying at the Weaver Center: $50 provides a cab ride to the Weaver Center, $100 provides therapy to victims, $250 sends eight survivors to weekly support groups, $500 feeds an entire family for a month, $1,000 sends a child to summer camp, and $2,500 transitions a survivor and her family into a furnished apartment.The YWCA is the largest provider of domestic violence services in Tennessee. Programs include the recently expanded Weaver Domestic Violence Center, a 65-bed facility in Davidson County. The YWCA is also building a pet shelter on the Weaver Center property. Last year alone, the YWCA’s services provided nearly 17,000 nights of emergency shelter to 350 women and children fleeing abusive homes. The Weaver Center also houses a crisis and information hotline that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week answering more than 7,500 calls each year. That number is 1-800-334-4628.To learn more about the YWCA’s mission or to get involved, visit ywcanashville.com.About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee:For 120 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls, and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives. YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc., AMEND Together, Dress for Success Nashville, and the Family Learning Center. For more information, visit www.ywcanashville.com, follow us on Twitter @YWCANashville and find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/YWCANashville. # # #