Volume 12: April / May 2008

pasadena-foothill valley

What's the Difference?
Black or brown? Yellow or white? Male or female? "What's the Difference?" is the new YWCA blog that will explore the assumptions we make based on race and gender and other attributes that make us different from one another.

Yet another dialogue on "getting along?" You want to talk about It, racism; you have a lot that you would like to say. But after a long day at work, going out again to talk is a challenge that is easy to push to one side.

A blog though is something else. Stay at home, sit down at the computer after a good dinner, or even later at night, and let your fingers do the walking while your mind does the talking. Perfect!

Check out the new YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley blog "What's the Difference?" at www.ywcapasadena.blogspot.com to read what others in town are saying . . . and then add some "well chosen" words of your own. And in the process, maybe we can come up with some action. Words only take us part of the way.

We hope to hear from you. We hope to meet you on-line.

Sincerely,


The members of your YWCA

In Today's World What Does It Mean To
"Empower Women"?

Empowering Women is one of two visions that drive YWCA's all over the country. We state it in our Mission when we say "strengthened by diversity we strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power" it is woven into our logo.

At the moment the Pasadena YWCA has chosen to empower women by starting with girls. Help girls from 6 to 16 to recognize and develop their potential and they are well on their way to becoming empowered women. Motivate them. Show them the importance of completing high school and the opportunities that are there for them after that and they have a base from which they can soar. It's hard to argue against that and so we have focused on Just for Girls for the last ten years.

But just what does it mean to empower women? How can we define an empowered woman? Self-reliance, self-knowledge, a collective voice come to mind. We'd like to hear from you, our members and our newsletter readers. Are there support programs we could offer that you don't find elsewhere in Pasadena? Keeping current and filling a need is important for any organization; it is certainly important to us. Please take a minute to share your ideas. Get back to us by emailing Community Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Phillips, at ashley@ywca-pasadena.org.

Just for Girls (JFG) News:
Just for Girls participants stayed busy in April
with multiple field trips and conferences made possible for them by the YWCA

The YWCA was bustling with permission slips, van rides and sack lunches during the month of April as we took many of our girls on field trips to the Getty Museum, Boomers (a fun park), a Junior League rally on Autism and to the Adelante Mujer Latina conference.

Here's what the girls had to say about their experiences.
"The best part of the Getty was when we went to the garden. We had time to see the flowers that made
the museum a happy museum. The happy garden showed me that the museum was made with love
and I could feel that. I liked it because it showed that the people who built the garden were full of love. It is like the garden is showing its feeling to the museum and it is very happy. I learned about how the garden feels and how the people felt when they built it. I learned about the meaning of the flowers.

My name is Selena, I am a fifth grader. I am a Latina. I love being crazy and I love being funny when my friends are around so they can be happy to have me as a friend."

My name is Yaneri, I am in 8th grade. I like to make my family laugh. I am a good friend, daughter, older and younger sister."

Thank You Donors!

The YWCA extends its warmest thanks to the
Kaiser Permanente Foundation which has generously awarded a two year grant for $50,000 to our Just for Girls program.

The City of Pasadena through their Community Development Block Grant has awarded the YWCA $25,000 to fund our Just for Girls program.

The Allen Lund Company has donated in-kind printing needs to the YWCA for their Women for Racial Justice Breakfast 'Save the Date' cards!

Donate Online NOW!

Your contribution to the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley allows us to continue to offer our community:

• Just For Girls enrichment and development program for the school aged young women of Pasadena.
• Racial Justice work in our community.
• Community Building efforts through public dialogue and our program initiatives.
• Ensuring that you and our young women, your sister, your wife, and our families have a voice in our city, region and nation!

• Volunteer. We are always recruiting women and girls to join a committee or to volunteer in the office.
  Contact the Program Office.
• Make a gift of stock, real estate, or money.
  Contact the Development Office.
• Join the Racial Justice Committee.
  Contact Denise Jones, Chair.

Girl's Empowerment Camp
For Ages: 10-14yrs

Camp Begins: July 14th through August 15th
Monday - Friday 12:00pm - 6:00pm

It's all about the possibilities! This day camp for girls focuses on building self-esteem, forming friendships, learning new skills, exploring new ideas, and empowering girls to dream big. Each week incorporates hands-on activities and field trips, and explores real-world applications of a new theme.

Week 1: Life Skills Week 2: Safety Week 3: Healthy Relationships Week 4: Self-Esteem Building Week 5: Planning For The Future

Cost: $60 per week or $250 for all five weeks!

Registration begins on April 14th, 2008. Payment in full is required before June 2 to secure your spot.

For more information contact: Jasmine Guerrero at (626) 296-8433 ext. 13 or
jguerrero@ywca-pasadena.org

A Penny For Your Thoughts

Do you have a question or concern about anything presented in the eNewsletter or any of our activities?We invite you to drop us a line at
pr@ywca-pasadena.org

YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley 1200 N. Fair Oaks Ave. • Pasadena,CA 91103

Phone: 626-296-8433 • Fax: 626-296-8434

www.ywca-pasadena.org