Letter from the CEO
Hello All,
Summer is finally here! This year has passed all too quickly for most of us. With so many families struggling in our community this year, all of us at the YWCA have felt compelled to step up our efforts even higher to help those in need. But there are still more mountains to climb. Empowering women and eliminating racism – some may see them as lofty goals. But at the YW – our mission is our sense of purpose. Each day that we are here running our programs, we see dramatic impact on the lives of people in our community. There has been much talk in the news about the impacts of the current economic crisis and the dramatic ways it is affecting families right here in our community. The work that we do each day is so important to these families.
Of course, none of this is possible without the support of our donors and advocates in the community. Giving to others is a gift in itself. For the reasons listed below, I am asking you to help us to continue to serve our mission and our community. Please join me in making our community a place where individuals feel empowered to live their lives and achieve their dreams, a place where that is free from sexualized and domestic violence, and uncontrolled by racism, hatred and prejudice. For your children and their children, the time to act is now.
Here’s what your support did this year:
Because the of the strong presence of the YWCA Rape Crisis Center in your community, 1200 survivors of sexual assault were connected though our crisis line, 266 were accompanied through their forensic exam, and 350 were accompanied through police and court proceedings. And through our prevention programs, 360 students received assault prevention and intervention training.
Because the YWCA Support Network domestic violence program provided its services in your community, 7001 crisis calls were answered, 220 women and children were sheltered, and 1185 clients were provided with counseling services.
This year, because the YWCA Counseling program provided services throughout your community, 52 adolescents who were considering suicide had a counselor to comfort them and keep them safe.
Because there were strong programs offered through YWCA Family Services in your community, 160 parents completed parent education classes learning effective alternatives to corporal punishment, information on how children grow and develop and skills to develop children’s self esteem and confidence, and 65 non-custodial parents were able to spend time with their children in a safe, neutral and monitored setting.
Because the YWCA operated 4 child care centers in your community, 400 children had a safe place to be afterschool, got help with their homework, and were inspired by positive role models while their parents could be successful at work and create a better quality of life for their families.
Because the YWCA Project Inspire program was offered in four at risk high schools in your community, 216 youth completed their high school education and received a diploma – changing the direction of their lives. Without Project Inspire, these students would not have received their diplomas!
This year, because the YWCA TechGYRLS program was offered at 2 elementary schools in your community, 53 girls gained self confidence and life skills that will open up their future. I hope that you will join our efforts in teaching these girls that “not all IT guys have to be guys”.
The YWCA has taken a leadership position in promoting Social & Racial Justice or ”SARJ”. SARJ is a formalized effort to address the overall YWCA mission: to empower women, children, and families, and to eliminate racism, hatred, and prejudice. We live in a very diverse culture, and we must educate people about the need for appreciation of diversity. SARJ is an anti-bias educational approach used as a proactive means to eradicate various forms of social and racial oppression. Our ultimate goal is to exemplify social and racial justice throughout all of the YWCA programs and services, as well as within our community.
Every dollar you give is an investment in future generations of women, children and families. Empowered women, living and working in a community free from violence and hatred, is the future we are building for our children. Together, we can make this our reality.
Warm regards! Keri
Chief Executive Officer