It Ends With Us: A Personal Mission to Break the Cycle
My name is Dana Roppo and I am a victor.
Like 1 in 4 women in America, I lived through domestic violence. I came from a loving family, never imagining I would become a statistic. What started as emotional abuse—the manipulation, isolation, and control that affects 95% of domestic violence cases—escalated into unexpected violence. I know firsthand how quickly words become weapons, and weapons become life-threatening. I nearly lost my life in a brutal knife attack that left me fighting for survival. But I am living proof that even after the darkest moments, healing is possible—and that survivors can become powerful agents of change.
The statistics are staggering:
• Every 9 seconds, a woman is assaulted or beaten in the United States
• 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year
• Children who witness domestic violence are 50% more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol
• Without intervention, the cycle continues: 30-60% of children from violent homes will perpetuate this trauma
These aren’t just numbers—they represent the child I once was, and the countless others still trapped in this cycle.
Join Us for an Evening That Changes Lives
Thursday, October 23rd | 6:00 PM Cocktails | 7:00 PM Dinner at Empress Banquets, Addison, Illinois
This isn’t just a gala—it’s a movement. It’s survivors, allies, and community leaders standing together and declaring that the generational cycle of trauma and violence ends with us.
What Your Support Accomplishes:
💜 WINGS - Illinois’s largest domestic violence intervention organization touches 300+ lives daily. Your support helps launch their new North Shore program, providing counseling, legal aid, and crisis intervention where it’s desperately needed.
💜 Metropolitan Family Services Holiday Shoppe - Because 78% of domestic violence survivors struggle financially after leaving their abuser, this program restores dignity by letting mothers shop for their children while accessing life-changing support services.
💜 Northeast DuPage Family & Youth Services - Recognizing that 90% of juvenile offenders have experienced trauma, this organization guides at-risk teens and families through comprehensive healing, breaking the pipeline from childhood trauma to adult dysfunction.
Why This Matters More Than Ever:
Behind the closed doors of our seemingly safe suburban neighborhoods, domestic violence thrives in secret. 1 in 3 female homicide victims are killed by intimate partners. But here’s what gives me hope: Research shows that community intervention reduces domestic violence by up to 50%.
My Promise to You:
As someone who has walked this path—from victim to survivor to advocate—I promise you that every dollar raised, every conversation started, and every person educated creates ripples of change that extend far beyond what we can see. When we support these organizations, we’re not just helping today’s survivors—we’re preventing tomorrow’s victims. We’re showing families that there is life after trauma.
Together, we are the generation that says: It ends with us. Tickets: $85 (includes elegant dinner & open bar) Adults & Teens Welcome!
The evening features live entertainment, exciting raffles with amazing prizes, and most importantly—hope.
Link for tickets and sponsorships and additional information on the venture will be on our social media pages. Businesses interested in donating raffle items, please message me directly.
givebutter.com/ItEndsWithUsGALA2025
Because healing happens in community. Because survivors become thrivers. Because it truly ends with us.
Website: Itendswithusmovement.com
For immediate help: National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
