DVIS renames holiday assistance program, seeks sponsors

To better align with its client-centric focus, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Inc. (DVIS) is renaming its nearly two-decade-old holiday assistance program this season.

Previously known as “Adopt-A-Family,” the program matches community members and groups looking to give back with DVIS clients who are healing from violence and unable to provide gifts for their families during the holiday season.

The initiative will now be called the “Joy Givers Program.” The new name was inspired by a thank-you letter from a past survivor-participant, which begins with, “Dear Mystery Joy Giver(s)…,” and goes on to capture the true impact of the program on those it supports:

“I trust that the family/team/person who chose to do this for me will understand [that] really – [the gift] is the joy of the good memories.”

“We take a survivor-centered approach to our work, and it was time to rethink what that looks like for this program,” said Chief Development Officer Cathy Wilkie. “While the structure of the program has always reflected that focus, it was important for us to extend that to the way DVIS and our community talk about it.”

DVIS is currently seeking sponsors for the Joy Givers Program. Sponsoring is a great way for families, community groups, church groups, work teams, and local businesses to lift up domestic violence survivors and their families around the holidays.

The deadline to apply to sponsor is October 26. Learn more and sign up here.