Domestic Violence Awareness Month began October 1 with NCBI Director Amie Thurber receiving the Missoula Family Violence Council's Citizen of the Year Award at the county courthouse. The award is given to a person who has demonstrated a personal commitment, passion, and leadership towards working with survivors and ending domestic violence.

“I feel very humbled to receive this award, particularly as my work is a step removed from the advocates and officers that are on the front lines responding to family violence,” Thurber said. “Seeking help is hard for all victims, but it can be even harder if you are a not sure how you will be treated because of your ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation. My hope is that NCBI’s work will help those first responders to communicate across any fear or mistrust so that all people impacted by violence can get the support and resource they deserve.”

“You won’t have enough time to even scratch the surface of Amie’s impact on this community,” said Cindy Weese, executive director of YWCA Missoula.

This is the premiere fundraising event for YWCA Missoula programs. Since the YWCA began hosting the luncheon four years ago, we've raised more than $850,000 in unrestricted operating funds to support our mission.

Help save the lives of local women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence by volunteering at YWCA Missoula. Volunteers are also needed for teen and pre-teen girls through the GUTS! girls leadership program.

Advocate duties include answering the 24-hour crisis line, bringing women into the emergency shelter and playing with children living at the shelter. No experience is necessary, and volunteers receive two weeks of professional-caliber training. YWCA volunteers are representative of all genders, sexual orientations, ages, professions and walks of life. Those interested should attend one of two orientations on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. or Saturday, Sept. 20, at 10 a.m. at the YWCA, 1130 W. Broadway.

Racism happens in Missoula, and young people can help stop it.

That’s the message behind the second-ever Rock Against Racism slated for Friday, Sept. 19, from 3 – 10 p.m. in Caras Park. Fourteen bands are joining scores of other YWCA volunteers to raise awareness about the nonprofit’s anti-racism campaign. “I started Rock Against Racism in 2006 because I wanted to show young people that they really can make a difference,” said Megan Baumann, founder of the event. “I feel passionately that people have a responsibility to help end racism.”

Between each set, speakers from a variety of backgrounds will share their experiences with racism and other forms of bias, as well as what they’ve done to stop mistreatment of others. Many nonprofits will table at the event, providing volunteer opportunities for concert-goers.