Reunion Online

Today marks the annual celebration of Women’s Equality Day. This year is the 91st year since the 19th Amendment was adopted in the United States, giving women the right to vote. We have so much to look back on and be proud of—so many achievements to celebrate as women and as those championing women’s equality.

Did you all see the post from the wonderful Joanna Colangelo last week about Joyful Heart's month-long fundraising challenge with GlobalGiving? We've been invited into a GlobalGiving Open Challenge during the month of August to raise $4,000 this month from no fewer than 50 supporters. If we do this, we’ll earn a permanent spot on GlobalGiving, which will allow us to keep fundraising there throughout the year.

Read about an exciting new initiative that we’ve embarked on for the month of August. As many of you have probably seen through our Facebook posts, we’ve been accepted into a GlobalGiving Open Challenge from August 2 to August 31.

It’s important to recognize that time holds a different meaning for everyone; this is especially apparent when referring to healing. While continuing on your journey time can be your friend and constant companion or a burden and steady reminder you want to forget. That’s why it is so important that you are gentle with yourself and go at your own pace. There are no guidelines or time limits to follow or that need to be met.

Yesterday, representatives from Joyful Heart, including myself, went to Albany to advocate for the expansion of New York State’s DNA Databank to include samples from all convicted offenders. Right now in New York, state law only allows for collection of DNA from offenders convicted in just 48% of all crimes. We went up with a statewide coalition of advocates, law enforcement, survivors and policymakers. We met with representatives in both political parties in the Senate and Assembly, as well as members of the press. We went with a simple message: pass all crimes DNA legislation.

On May 17, I had the opportunity to work and attend Joyful Heart’s 4th Annual Gala at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Today we’re featuring a guest post from Patti Giggans, the Executive Director of Joyful Heart’s Los Angeles partner organization Peace Over Violence. Patti was the pioneer behind Denim Day in LA & USA. Today, she gives us a history of the movement and this year’s call to action.

April has been declared Child Abuse Prevention Month. Please help us raise awareness about the devastating effects of child abuse. Whether you're surrounded by children every day or you just want to get the word out, there are still things you can do to make this a hopeful and meaningful month.