YWCA supports vigil, fund for Gravely

While the YWCA of Charleston works tirelessly each day to eliminate domestic violence through leadership, education, advocacy and community collaboration, we also support domestic violence victims and their families in every way we can. Some we reach through shelter and emergency services like our 24-hour crisis line. Others we help through legal advocacy. Still more we reach through educational programs like our Teen Dating Violence Prevention program, where middle and high school students learn about healthy dating relationships that are rooted in equality, trust, honesty and mutual respect, instead of power and control.

In the case of Nalisha Gravely, we are helping her family by supporting a candlelight vigil and fund in her honor. The candlelight vigil will be held Friday, July 11 at 7:00 pm on Magic Island and will include special guest speakers, musical and dance tributes, poem readings and other special tributes to honor this young woman and inspire hope in the family and the community. Learn more about this event here.

Also, at the request of Charleston Mayor Danny Jones, the YWCA established a special fund in Gravely’s honor. This fund will help Gravely’s family members pay for her funeral and burial. More than $4,000 is still needed to cover the total expenses. Donations received above this amount will provide support for Gravely’s 2-year-old child. All donations are tax deductible and can be mailed or dropped off at the YWCA at 1114 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV 25301.

We are truly inspired by the way we see our community pull together in these times of tragedy, and we wish to support this grieving family in any way that we can.