Letter from the CEO
Dear Friends of the YWCA Silcon Valley:
I remember when "Back to School" meant the blissful end of hearing "I'm bored" and "When is school going to start?" from our kids missing the social and academic connection of school.
Today, "Back to School" has a much more serious, sobering meaning. The questions--outwardly spoken or silently pounding inside our kids' heads and hearts--are more troubling and pervasive than ever:
- Is last year's bully still going to be there, taunting me or my friends?
- Where can I go after school and feel safe?
- How do I go on with school and life, now that my Dad is gone?
- Can I try to succed in school, wthout feeling afraid?
- How can I go on with those horrible things posted about me on Facebook/MySpace?
- Is my life really worth living? Is school really worth the effort?
- I'm so fat/skinny/ugly/stupid/poor (fill-in-the-blanks), I'll never fit in. What's the point of even trying?
And then there's Mom's point of view and heart-heavy concerns:
- Can I really risk going to work and leave my child alone after school?
- Can I realistically afford after-school child care?
- If I take this job, will I lose my opportunity to have quality, affordable child care?
- How can I possibly help with technology-focused homework?
- How can my child succeed in a neighborhood plagued with crime, gang violence, and drugs?
- Should I (really, how CAN I??) leave this abusive situation and provide a better life for my family?
This is what we, at the YWCA are working through in these "Back to School Days" and every day of the year. In this issue, I share with you the numerous YW programs that address these issues, help alleviate many of the fears and concerns around Back to School, and make a positive difference our children's lives.
I also ask for your new or continued investment in our children's TODAYs, and in turn, our community's TOMORROWs. The return on your investment in YW programming is unquestionably a safer, better-educated, more productive, and socially conscious community.
Warm regards, and thank you for your support!
The YWCA of Silicon Valley is a non-profit entity under section 501(c) (3) of the IRS code, EIN: 94-1186196.