YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena outlines domestic‑violence services, asks commission for outreach support

Deborah Saa, representing the YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena, told the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women on May 11 that domestic violence is driving homelessness among women and that local services must be survivor‑centered and trauma informed.

"We just walk alongside them," Saa said, describing the YWCA’s approach to safety planning, case management and voluntary, survivor‑led decisions. She said the agency operates a 24/7 hotline and an emergency shelter intake system and provides counseling and parenting education in Spanish, Armenian and English.

Saa cited national research, including the widely used "one in three" statistic for intimate‑partner violence and studies linking domestic violence to higher health care costs and homelessness. She said many survivors do not immediately seek shelter and that offering information and counseling can reduce risk: "If they can talk to a counselor, they can talk to one of our case managers and learn about all the options they have — they're that much safer."

The presenter told commissioners that, beginning July 1, Los Angeles County will make a new real‑time referral tool called Care Connect available to domestic‑violence programs. The system will show available shelter space and help staff perform warm handoffs to partner agencies. Saa cautioned there may be early technical challenges but expressed hope the system will speed placements.

Commissioners asked about prevention work on college campuses, volunteer pipelines and outreach to young people via Instagram and TikTok. Saa said the YWCA runs a 40‑hour counselor‑training course for volunteers and is expanding school‑based healthy‑relationship programs and Camp Rosie and girls‑empowerment conferences. She asked the commission for help with co‑branding, marketing the hotline and bringing YWCA programs into Glendale‑owned facilities.

Saa also noted local housing challenges: some rental assistance that helped survivors during the pandemic has ended and local voucher programs are winding down, forcing many families to move outside Glendale where housing is more affordable.

The presentation closed with an invitation to the YWCA Centennial gala and an offer to bring program participants to a future commission session.

Provenance: presentation began at SEG 028 and continued through SEG 366.