July 2009
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July 2009 |
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How Do You Measure Value and Worth?
A Message from our Board President and Executive Director
Lately, we’ve been thinking a lot about value and worth.
It could be because so many have had to take stock of their own value after lost jobs, falling home prices and plummeting portfolios. Or it could be because we’re continually questioning how we can bring value to the YWCA and the community.
It’s tempting to look at the bottom line when assessing our individual or group worth. Those numbers are important, but they only tell part of the story of our value.
That’s why we also ask, “How are our programs making a difference in the lives of the girls and women and their families?” Our Just for Girls (JFG) after-school program continues to empower girls in grades four through 12. Maria, a JFG participant has dealt successfully with the emotional stress and depression of disloyal friends; Candice recognized the warning signs of an emotionally abusive boyfriend and took steps to protect herself; and Aisha has identified two potential colleges where she can pursue her passion for design.
But the YWCA isn’t “just for girls.” We’re empowering a new group of women through financial literacy, parent education and support groups.
Our Financial Literacy Course teaches budgeting, savings, debt management and other basic money skills. Sandra tells us that she feels a “sense of control over one area of her life” when she is able to master money skills.
Women from a Pasadena transitional housing program who attend our parenting education classes say that the course and support have been “impactful” and they were able to “make connections” and “learn about parenting resources.”
We’re helping to fill the GAP (grandparents as parents) by providing a meeting space and support for a growing segment of the parenting population. Belinda, a 92-year-old grandmother caring for her four-year-old grandson, thanks you. Because of your contribution she has experienced an intimate and safe place where, “I am understood, supported and connected to people who can help.”
We love being reminded that we never stop growing and learning. We’re thrilled to be in the business of facilitating that growth and embedding sensitivity to racial justice in all that we do.
We can’t do it without you and depend on your generosity to keep these programs going. Please help by donating online. We value you and your continued support of the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley.
Tamika Farr Carmen Vargas SHIELD Women's Self Defense The YWCA is hosting a second SHIELD Women’s Self Defense workshop for community women. SHIELD is a practical and effective fighting system specifically designed for women to combat sexual assaults. If you are a woman or have a young daughter, you can't afford not to consider this class. A recent article by Ellen Snortland, a YWCA Women of Excellence, states, "What if preparing for violence is just as responsible as acknowledging the possibility of a car accident or fire? We have fire drills so we don't have to figure out what to do when the fire is happening. Drilling for violence actually makes one less of a target." Read the full article here in the Huffington Post. The classes will be on Wednesdays from July 15 - August 12 (5 weeks) at the YWCA Facility. The time is from 7:00 - 9:30pm and the cost is $199.00. The cost includes one private training session with the instructor, Nelson Nio. |
Save the Date Mrs. Ellen Portantino, breakfast committee chairwoman, invites you to mark your calendars for Monday, October 19th, 7:30 - 9:30am at the Hilton Pasadena. Join us as we bring together 600 community leaders and advocates to share in the YWCA's efforts of promoting and supporting racial justice throughout our community. Greetings!
Sincerely, Ellen A. Portantino Be a 'Community Advocate' by purchasing a table and inviting friends to join you at the breakfast. Tables of ten for $450; $550 after Sept. 25 Remember to join us on Thanks for helping us get the word out
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Do you know We posted Hector Tobar's article "For Latinos and blacks, a call for unity, not hate." to the blog. What are your thoughts? After you have read the entry, make comments at the end of the post by clicking on the word comment. Do you have something to share or thoughts regarding the assumptions made based on race or gender? We are looking for new, original posts for our blog. Check out the blog using the link above and tell us what you think. If you would like to contribute to the blog with an original post, please email YWCA Board Member, Susan Carrier, at susancarrier@sbcglobal.net. Your contribution to the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley allows us to continue to offer our community: |
 by Edith Grady Empowerment of Women and Elimination of Racism are co-equal parts of the YWCA mission. We do the former quite visibly through our Just for Girls programs. Seeds planted early bloom in a variety of ways as empowered girls become empowered women. How we address racial justice is not as visible and we ourselves sometimes struggle to define how we go about it. It is our policy to embed a consciousness of racial justice throughout the Just for Girls curriculum. YWCA banners remind visitors of any age at our headquarters or at our events that “The Color of a Person’s Skin Reveals Only One Thing, the Color of a Person’s Skin.” Board members and staff take racial justice training. The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley blog with the title "What's the Difference?" explores the assumptions we make based on race but also gender, ethnicity and culture, religion or other attributes that make us different from one another. But we look for new ways to meet this mandate. On June 16, as I worked to prepare this piece for our July newsletter, an article by Hector Tobar in the Los Angeles Times rang a resounding bell. The caption: “A call for unity, not hate.” The article that followed reminds Latinos how much they owe to “the long African American struggle for civil rights. Black people have bled and been beaten in the name of equality, and without their sacrifice, we’d be 30 years behind where we are today” Tobar wrote. What can we take from Tobar’s article? What more should our organization and our community do to carry forward the racial justice part of our mission? One thing certainly: constant reminders must be made, not just for the young but for those of us who as adults should remember, but too often do not, that elements of the Black struggle for justice have made life better for so many others of us. To help you remember, I suggest you read Hector's article here. Join the Discussion, Join the Committee If discussing these issues and responding to them interests you, we would love to have you join our Racial Justice Committee. We meet every 4th Wednesday at the YWCA. For more details, please contact Sandra Davis Houston, our committee chair, or Ashley Phillips at the YWCA office at 626-296-8433. "The YWCA will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary." - One Imperative |
