Friends, That time of year, I ask you to join me in the ICADV 21st annual 5k Race Away from Domestic Violence, downtown at the Indiana University Carroll A. Stadium on August 10, 2024. You can register to run, walk or roll or sign up as a volunteer at https://icadvinc.org/rafdv2024/. We are only two weeks away from the big event and I need your support. Over the last year, ICADV has been responsive to the needs survivors have identified as critical to their safety, especially access to economic justice funds. The threat of poverty is a barrier that makes it most difficult for them to separate from an abusive relationship and increases the likelihood that they will return to one. As a result, ICADV responded by distributing $168,883 in support of 156 domestic violence survivors and their 108 household dependents. With an average request amount of $1,082, these survivors were able to secure basic needs essential for keeping themselves and their children safe. Housing was the greatest area of need; ICADV distributed $104,605 for housing related costs including housing payments and new housing startup costs (deposits and rental payments). Other areas of need included utility payments, relocation expenses, transportation costs, bad debt related to the abuse, nutrition assistance and costs related to safety/security. I have set a goal of $3,000 to help support the emergency financial and legal needs of survivors. As eviction rates rise, inflation increases, food insecurity is amplified, survivors are going to need our assistance more than ever. Survivors have shared “the absence of violence alone without basic needs met makes me no safer…” Again, please join us Saturday morning, August 10 for our 21st Annual Race Away from Domestic Violence. Thank you for your support!