Welcome to the 2026 March issue of Volunteer Voices, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) volunteers.
In this Issue:
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DSVS volunteers and supporters—happy Women’s History Month! As we celebrate, I feel very lucky to be surrounded by strong women, men, and people at DSVS who are working toward a more equitable future. This month, I always enjoy celebrating some of my female heroes who have pushed forward women’s rights in so many ways. From activist powerhouses like Gloria Steinem, to authors who shine light on women’s experiences like Toni Morrison, there are so many women who have pushed us forward as a society.
Something I sincerely appreciate about DSVS is that we know that no issues are only “women’s issues.” Domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking affect people of all genders, including women, men, transgender, and nonbinary people. Women are often leading the charge for change in our space, but we could not achieve thriving and safe communities if we do not serve everyone affected, and if we do not rely on allyship and community connections to drive change. We are grateful for all of our volunteers supporting their community through their work at DSVS, and I hope each of you has a chance this month to reflect on some of the amazing women, men, and people in our community who we work alongside to secure safety not only for women, but for all of us.
Caroline Croghan
Volunteer Manager
Rest, Recovery, Repair
What’s this year’s self-care trend? According to the experts, it’s all about a more grounded sense of what being well is all about. That includes these three concepts:
- Connection as medicine. The defining theme of this year is connection—between people, systems, and senses. Some attribute this to a growing sense of digital fatigue, but cultivating purpose through community and connection may dominate the wellness conversation. This could look like social wellness health clubs and community-driven wellness retreats.
- A refocus on anti-inflammation. We used to demonize ingredients that were either inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. But we’ve evolved. Instead of categorizing foods as good or bad, 2026 trends are moving toward overall patterns that calm chronic, low grade inflammation through diet, movement, sleep, supplements, and stress management. This includes adding foods with omega-3 fats, vitamin D, and magnesium.
- Listening to our body. We’re shifting our attention from perfectionism to the body’s natural rhythms. Instead of striving for constant balance of our 24-hour internal clock, this movement acknowledges life’s ebbs and flows, reframing wellness as something robust, responsive, and compassionate.
Celebrating Women!
March is Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day is Saturday, March 8. The first National Women’s Day in the United States was in 1909, in response to U.S. demonstrations demanding better pay and voting rights for women. What started in the U.S. and Europe became a global movement, and International Women’s Day began being celebrated across the world. It was formalized by the United Nations in 1977 and continues to be a day we focus on equality for women.
In the spirit of International Women’s Day, take a moment to watch A Hilarious Celebration of Lifelong Female Friendship, featuring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin describing the importance of female friendship and female activism.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” –Leo Buscaglia
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ podcast, Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence, is real talk on tough topics! Stay in the know with these biweekly discussions. If you have ideas for topics you’d like to hear addressed on Unscripted, email them to DSVS’ communications specialist Kendra Lee.
