An author who has turned her true story of being stalked by a neighbor into a fictional, psychological thriller will be the keynote speaker for the YWCA of Richmond annual dinner Friday.
The dinner, which coincides with October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will benefit the YWCA and its Genesis programs. Genesis provides a domestic violence shelter, counseling programs and other services. Click here for more...
The YWCA Warren, in partnership with the Warren Police Athletic League and Warren WEED & SEED, is having a free basketball tournament and career fair at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Warren G. Harding High School gymnasium.
The tournament is open to boys and girls in grades nine to 12 as an alternative to violence. Individuals and teams of five may enter. Members of the winning boys and girls teams will receive an iPod Shuffle. Click here for more...
Halloween Parade Could Be York’s Last
YWCA Seeks Sponsors For Next Year
The 62nd annual Halloween Parade in York is just over two weeks away, but it may be the city's last. York YWCA has been hosting the parade for six years but will back out if no other major sponsors are found for next year. The YWCA will use $10,000, or about half its operating budget for the parade. YWCA officials said the cost may be too high to afford in the future. Click here fore more...
If the YWCA Tri-County Area accomplished only its two primary goals — eliminating racism and empowering women — it would be a lot.
But the truth of the matter is, from hosting Girl Scout clothing drives, to child care, to promoting literacy, to helping teen girls make good choices, the YWCA is already much, much more.Click here for more...
Women to build Habitat home in Bristol for one of their own
Then head out to East State Street this weekend, where the Bristol community is building a home with Holston Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA.
Habitat, a nonprofit Christian housing program, and the YWCA in Bristol are hosting a Women’s Build Day, and asking local women to volunteer an hour or a day Saturday to help complete a home for one of the YWCA’s own, Food Services Coordinator, Robin Wright, and her 5-year-old son, Damien. Click here for more...
Permanent homeless shelter for women to open in Arbutus
Facility the first of its kind in Baltimore County holds open house Thursday
Three years after an agreement between Baltimore County and the YWCA to establish the Arbutus Permanent Supportive Housing program that would provide living quarters to chronically homeless women, an open house for such a facility will be held this week.
On June 6, about 20 volunteers equipped a building at 4000 Southwestern Boulevard with new appliances and other necessities as the finishing touches went on the project, a collaboration between the Women's Leadership Council of the United Way of Central Maryland, YWCA Greater Baltimore and Baltimore County.
"We have a meeting with the county to discuss referrals this week," said Mary Chestnut, chief executive officer of YWCA Greater Baltimore. "(It's possible) it'll be soon after our open house on June 16." Click here for more...
Local Women Named to YWCA Board
They will help the YWCA's mission dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
The Spoon River College Office of Community Outreach and the YWCA Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment Center are partnering this summer to offer a week-long interactive day camp for girls who have completed fifth or sixth grade.
“Discover Our World” is scheduled for June 20-24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and will meet at the Spoon River College Community Outreach Center or at the YWCA. Click here for more...
YWCA NCA
May 20, 2011
Group hopes to reduced violence and racism in Warren
Leaders and residents in Warren are taking a stand against racism.
A group gathered at courthouse square Friday as part of the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
A subcommittee of the YWCA, Partners for a Peaceful Community, unveiled its new logo designed by a Liberty High School Senior.
Shari Harrell, the executive director of the Warren YWCA, says the group is comprised of neighborhood organizations, other social service agencies, government, law enforcement and schools; that will all come together to promote positive events, bring peace into the community and reduce violence. Click here for more...
800 participate in 5K Race Against Racism in York
Bill Landauer
York Daily Record/York Sunday News www.ydr.com
May 1, 2011
It shocked Kehinde Ilubusi.
Seven years ago, Ilubusi moved from Nigeria to attend Penn State York. Standing in line at a grocery store one day, she overheard people making racist comments.
"Everyone was very cliquish," she said Saturday, watching a team of Aztec Dancers blowing into conch shells at the YWCA's fifth annual Race Against Racism.
People segregated themselves more than she had been expecting, she said.
Today, little by little, those cliques are breaking down, Ilubusi said. She is a graduate student at Millersville University and an intern at the York YWCA on Market Street. Events like Saturday's race, which raised money for the organization's racial tolerance educational programming, have helped break down some racial barriers in the city, Ilubusi said. Click here for more...
Walk a mile in her heels
Event raises awareness of sexual assault programs
"Ugh! I'm going to be limping by the end of this," Alyce Clark groaned good-naturedly yesterday as she pulled on a pair of sparkly purple platform stilettos edged with white lace and punctuated with perky black bows.
A sexual assault and domestic violence case manager for the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Clark was one of 45 participants in the local YWCA's first "Walk a Mile in Her Heels" event. Click here for more...
Exhibit illustrates devastation wrought by domestic violence
At Dayna Shaeffer's spot is a cup that has a tiny ceramic frog peeking out from the bottom. Her grandma gave her the cup when she was born.
A baby bottle and a favorite yellow buggy car sits at Jorge Gonzalez's spot.
Kathy Sheaffer's coffee mug, monogrammed with her name, sits by her plate.
Tucked under Maria Rodriguez's placemat is a protection-from-abuse order, written in her own hand.
"We were arguing and he had the machete in his hand," she wrote. "I didn't like the look in his eyes. I got scared."
A month later, Rodriguez was dead, at the hand of the boyfriend who had frightened and threatened her.
Rodriguez's chair is empty. So are the other chairs around the table just inside the front door of the Lancaster YWCA, 110 N. Lime St. Click here for more...
Seriously, why even bother? It's not like in two hours you're going to wipe Hanover clean of racism and prejudice, remove the stain of all that talk and type so often offered in anger.
It's not like we don't all have our stubborn biases.
Many of the 80-plus people who filed into the building for a town hall meeting on race and diversity and culture - a meeting organizers struggled even to name for fear of alienating this person or that group - may have had such thoughts. And the audience at Hanover YWCA said little. Click here for more...
Server education has bar employees looking for sexual predators Beyond the Bar trains bar staff to help patrons who could fall victim to sexual violence.
Rebecca LeFever
Daily Record/Sunday News www.ydr.com
April 2, 2011
Kristen Sechrist has seen how alcohol can blind someone's senses. As the medical advocacy program coordinator with the YWCA, Sechrist has tried to help men and women recover from sexual violence after falling victim to a predator using date rape drugs or excess alcohol.
People are taught to watch for predators in their workplace, school and neighborhood, Sechrist said, but who is looking out for them when their guard is down and they're enjoying a night out? Click here for more...
Is Harlem program a fix for York City's education troubles? New Hope Academy and the YWCA want to develop a birth-to-college program for kids, saying it will help them succeed. But there are obstacles.
Angie Mason
Daily Record/Sunday News www.ydr.com
April 2, 2011
About two years ago, a group of York community leaders visited New York's Harlem Children's Zone.
The project, founded by education reform advocate Geoffrey Canada, aims to guide children who live in certain blocks from birth through college, providing them not only an education but other services they need, whether that's housing, health services, social services or something else. It's often touted as a solution to the problems plaguing urban education.
After leaving Harlem, a few in the group had the same thoughts. Couldn't they do that in York?
It's just a matter of coming together as a community to make this work," said Deb Stock, chief executive officer of the YWCA. Click here for more...
Hanover to host town hall-style meeting Race, culture to be discussed by officials and citizens.
Rene Najera was born in Mexico. He crossed the border when he was 10 years old, then lived for a time in predominantly Hispanic El Paso, Texas, before coming to Pennsylvania for work. Today he lives in a house in Hanover.
He's been to the local stores and made small purchases while the clerk - not knowing any Spanish - has had to point to the cash register to show him his total. He's been pulled over by the police, who have sat and waited for an interpreter to arrive, to make sure his papers are in order.
These days, of course, you can't be too careful. Click here for more...
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month kickoff begins March 31
York Daily Record/York Sunday News www.ydr.com
March 16, 2011
The Victim Assistance Center, a program of YWCA York, will hold a National Sexual Assault Awareness Month kickoff event on March 31, according to a news release.
The event will begin at 11:30 a.m., where Mayor of York Kim Bracey and the York County commissioners will read proclamations. The event will be held at the York County Administration Center at 28 East Market Street in York. Members of the community are invited to show support for the elimination of sexual violence in York County.
Since 2001, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center have officially observed April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
This year's campaign, "It's time to get involved," incorporates a bystander approach to sexual violence prevention. The April 2011 Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign focuses on everyone speaking up to prevent sexual violence in our neighborhoods, communities, workplaces, and schools.
Other events are planned for April. For more information, visit the YWCA York online at www.ywcayork.org
As YWCA Lancaster's chief program officer, I was most interested to read staff writer Cindy Stauffer's article, Feb. 24, about the task force Judge Dennis Reinaker has created to address sexual abuse within the Amish community. YWCA Lancaster is participating in the task force.
I think it's important to note that sexual abuse is not restricted to any one community, but is prevalent throughout society. The statistics are sobering. One in four girls and one in six boys will be a victim of sexual violence by the age of 18.
My concern is for victims and survivors of sexual violence who may need someone to talk to or information on this harrowing topic. Click here for more...
Canton YWCA’s homeless housing project is on schedule
Housing for the homeless is under construction on Walnut Avenue NE, across the street from its owner, the YWCA.
The project to house homeless people and families is on schedule for completion in June, said Margaret Egbert, executive director of the YWCA of Canton.
The $8.5 million Gateway House II project is being funded by a public-private partnership involving federal, state and local governments, foundations and individuals, she said. “It’s certainly a community project,” Egbert said.
The opening could be delayed because the YWCA needs to raise another $150,000, she said. Click here for more...
YWCA celebrates Black History by applauding heroes
Celebrating the rich heritage of Black History in February often involves a focus on music and cultural highlights of the African-American community.
Some local celebrations each year also honor those who are making history with their contributions to the community.
The YWCA Tri-County Area, formerly the Pottstown YWCA, on Sunday held its annual program, this year paying homage to what it called "hometown heroes," those who selflessly make a difference and work toward the betterment of other people's lives in the Pottstown community. Click here for more...
Local Leaders Honored at MLK Dinner
Gail E. Smith, Rob Levit, U.S. Naval Academy Capt. Anthony P. Barnes and Christopher B. Nelson were among those awarded for their efforts in and around Annapolis.
Krysta Porter Lott is a product of the personal sacrifices made by strangers decades before she was born.
Leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave their lives to right injustices and pave the way for folks like Lott, who was raised in a tiny apartment with eight family members in Papillion, Nebraska.
Today, Lott, 22, and a Midshipman 1st Class at the U.S. Naval Academy, plans to become a U.S. Marine and study general science fields. Click here for more...
York YWCA executive director explores the Cuban experience
Deb Stock, executive director of the York YWCA, traveled to Cuba for five days in early November.
Ted Czech
York Daily Record/York Sunday News www.ydr.com
December 28, 2010
After spending five days in Cuba, Deb Stock said she realized that per capita, women there have more positions of leadership than their American counterparts. "I was surprised that there is equity in Cuba," she said. "I had an assumption before I went there that there would not be."
Stock, the executive director of the York YWCA, journeyed to the Caribbean island in early November as part of a delegation of 35 women to examine the role of women in Cuban society.
The trip was sponsored by the American Association of University Women, and an article on the trip is set to appear on the group's website later this week, Stock said.
Stock, 57, said the trip is the latest example of the marriage between her job and her love of traveling. Click here for more...
Christmas spirit fills volunteers and guests at Allentown Y
Economy makes Christmas harder this year for some
Steve Esack
The Morning Call
December 25, 2010
Stephanie Charles is an out of work dental hygienist with a bad right hand, a surgically repaired heart and a mortgage that needs to be paid.
She doesn't have much in her life. But she has Jesus.
So the single Allentown mom went for a second year in a row to the Allentown YMCA & YWCA's annual Christmas dinner, but not to eat, like she did in 2009. She went to serve others.
"I'm worse off this year than I was last year," Charles, 46, said. "But Christmas is not about gifts." Click here for more...
A YWCA housing project for the homeless has received a nearly $1.5 million boost in combined federal and local foundation funding.
The funding was announced Wednesday morning during an event outside the YWCA offices on Sixth Street NE. The permanent supportive housing project will receive a $1 million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. The funding will go toward a roughly $7 million apartment project for the homeless to be called Gateway House II. Click here for more...
Bedbugs have forced a Charleston homeless shelter to move its 75 residents while the facility is fumigated and renovated.
Debbie Weinstein, executive director of the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter, says the problem has been ongoing for two years and no one is sure how the initial infestation started. Click here for more...
Before closing its doors, the Clay Foundation will give the keys to its Kanawha Boulevard headquarters to the YWCA as a final benevolent act.
YWCA board president Sue Sergi said Thursday that the board voted to accept the building, appraised at $800,000, during its Aug. 12 meeting.
"We're honored that the Clay Foundation would choose the YWCA as the recipient of this significant gift," Sergi said. Click here for more..
Shelter relocates for now
YWCA Sojourner's Shelter temporarily moves to Second Avenue
Charlotte Ferrell Smith
Charleston Daily Mail www.dailymail.com
August 25, 2010
Margaret Taylor, Sojourner's director, said the shelter is blessed to have a temporary home on the West Side while the regular building in Charleston's East End is undergoing renovations.
Residents of the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter have temporarily moved into a building at 1601 Second Ave. on Charleston's West Side next to the new HospiceCare Building.
The temporary relocation is expected to last 60 to 90 days until $330,000 in renovations can be completed at the regular shelter at 1418 Washington. St. E. Click here for more...
It's nearly noon on moving day for Margaret Taylor, and there's still plenty to be done. The furniture is mostly in place but the family will be arriving later -- all 55 people.
Taylor, director of the YWCA's Sojourner's Shelter, seems calm when she greets visitors at the shelter's new temporary home on the West Side, but she admits she's a bit frazzled.
"It is a crazy day," she said Tuesday.
The last three months have been kind of crazy, ever since Taylor and YW leaders decided the best way to do the first major renovations at the shelter's East End home since 1992 would be to move all the residents and staff to temporary quarters for up to three months. Click here for more...
For years Paula Booth was afraid that her abusive husband would kill her if she took their children and left him.
"I was absolutely scared to death of him. I still am. I still can't sleep at night with the windows open," said Booth. "I truly thought he would kill me [if I left] ... until I realized that he would kill me if I stayed."
Four years ago, Booth and her daughters, then ages 3 and 4, sought refuge at the domestic violence shelter in Lewisburg, where they stayed for five weeks. "I am certain that's the only reason why I am alive today," she said in a recent phone interview. Click here for more...
Anne Arundel County volunteer brief - YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel
The Sexual Assault Crisis Center of the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County needs volunteers to provide hospital accompaniment to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Training will be provided Aug. 26, 28 and 31 and the YWCA Building, 1517 Ritchie Highway, Arnold. RSVP: Amanda Fields, 410-544-0716 or afields@ywcaaac.org by Aug. 23. Click here for more...
The YWCA Tri-County Area Adult Literacy Center will conduct a seven-hour Volunteer Tutor Training Workshop on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YWCA Adult Literacy Center, 1830 E. High St. (National Penn Bank, lower level).
Another training will be held at the same location on Sept. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.; Oct. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m.; and Oct. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The YWCA Adult Literacy Center serves the Tri-County Area and accepts tutors and students throughout the area. After tutors are trained, they are paired or grouped with students to meet twice weekly at a day, time and location convenient to both individuals.
White Supremacist group applies for permit to gather on Gettysburg Battlefield
The Aryan Nation wants to speak June 19
The Aryan Nation, a white supremacy group, has filed a special use permit with the Gettysburg National Military Park. In the permit application, the group says it wants to "express it's First Amendment Right" on the Gettysburg Battlefield on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Aryan Nation leaders say they will speak out about the economy, President Obama's Healthcare Reform Bill & immigrants.
The National Park Service has not yet granted the permit, but has done so with similar groups in the past. In 2006, the KKK demonstrated at the Battlefield. In a a statement, the Gettysburg National Military Park's Management Assistant explains that because the land is owned by the American people, the National Park Service has a responsibility to allow the land to be used by Americans wishing to express their Right to Free Speech. Click here for more...
White supremacist group plans Gettysburg rally
Peace-promoting community leaders to plan alternative event
The Aryan Nation announced Sunday that they have applied for a permit to demonstrate at the site of the Old Cyclorama Center and peace-promoting members of the Adams County community are planning to offer the an alternative event.
Katie Lawhon, management assistant for Gettysburg National Military Park, confirmed Monday that the white supremacist group has applied for a permit to hold a demonstration on June 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. Lawhon said the permit has not yet been approved, and she cannot provide any more details on the event until it is approved by the park.
If the Aryan Nation meets all of the required criteria, they will be approved because denying the permit would be a violation of their first amendment rights. The park is not organizing the rally, nor do they support the views of the Aryan Nation. Click here for more....
The YWCA of Warren is adding a national youth program using MINIBIKES to its list of services. The program aims to provide at-risk youth a recreational incentive to develop self-esteem, strong values and a sense of responsibility using minibikes as a motivational tool, YWCA officials said. The project was funded in part from a grant from the Kennedy Family Foundation Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley. The YWCA plans to make the program available to the YWCA Warren's Team Mentoring Program and Camp Discover, and the YWCA summer camp program. Click here for more....
Ann’s Choice residents honored by YWCA of Bucks County
Edith McLay and Jane Neiger, two residents of Ann’s Choice retirement community, were honored by the YWCA Bucks County at the 19th Annual Salute to “Women Who Make a Difference” awards dinner. The ceremony took place on May 6 at Spring Mill Manor.
“Edith and Jane represent the best of the best when it comes to serving others,” said Ann’s Choice executive director Joseph LoCascio. “They are active and engaged at Ann’s Choice and the surrounding community, always willing to offer their leadership and a helping hand. We thank the YWCA of Bucks County for recognizing their outstanding contributions.” Click here for more...
The atmosphere at the YWCA is lighter and happier thanks to a $6.5 million renovation project recently completed there, said Debra Stock, the organization's chief executive officer.
The YWCA will show off its new look during a grand reopening celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at its facility at 320 E. Market St. in York City.
Celebration days includes building tours, entertainment, silent action and activities for families and children, Stock said. Click here for more...
As mayor, he has seen the positive effects of diversity and the negative effects of racism, Michael J. O'Brien said Saturday during a Stand Against Racism event at the YWCA of Warren.
O'Brien said he tries to govern his conduct by the words of former civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said we should judge people based not on the color of their skin but on the content of their character. Click here for more...
Ruth Tolbert hopes Friday's Stand Against Racism will focus awareness on and help to eradicate racism.
Tolbert is president of both the YWCA of Westmoreland County and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Greensburg-Jeannette Branch.
The message area organizations, schools and individuals will deliver should be ongoing, she said. Click here for more...
Nearly 175 works by artists of all ages from the YWCA's Eliminating Racism art contest are on display in the Clay Center lobby through Sunday. The contest is part of the national Stand Against Racism Day. An open house, where the winners are announced, runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday. Call 304-340-3584 or visit www.ywcacharleston.org.
Height fused struggles of blacks, women
As civil rights movement’s leading lady, she had to stay mostly in the background
Sheri L. Parks
The Baltimore Sun
April 26, 2010
Dorothy Height, the grande dame of the civil rights movement, died recently in Washington after a long illness. She was 98.
Miss Height, as everyone called her, was a force in the black civil rights movement for 60 years, 40 of them as the president of National Council of Negro Women. Click here for more...
YWCA Bethlehem's Race Against Racism 5K walk/run scheduled for May 1
The YWCA of Bethlehem's fourth annual Race Against Racism 5K walk/run is slated for May 1 through Hanover Township, Northampton County.
The run kicks off at 9:15 a.m. on Adler Place off of Highland Avenue. Both runners and walkers are welcome.
Registration costs $25 and is open until April 29. Runners and walkers can register at www.active.com or they can sign up in person from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. May 1 at 3893 Adler Place, Building B Suite 180. Click here for more...
The YWCA of Warren, 375 N. Park Ave., Warren, is calling on individuals to join in taking a STAND AGAINST RACISM, to be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
The program focuses on raising awareness that racism still exists and that it can no longer be ignored or tolerated.
The event is free. Refreshments will be served. Mayor Michael J. O'Brien will be on hand to give a proclamation and WFMJ/WBCB Director of Community Relations Madonna Chism-Pinkard will lead the group in a racial awareness exercise.
Any organization or group of individuals can become a participating site by signing up at www.StandAgainstRacism.org or call 330-373-1010. Click here for more...
Men walk in heels to raise abuse awareness
The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event was organized by the YWCA of York along with the York Revolution
Teresa McMinn
York Daily Record/York Sunday News www.ydr.com
April 24, 2010
Matt Hartman paraded down North George Street in black marabou, high-heeled slippers that had been ordered from prettysinful.com.
The Mount Wolf resident had some impressive company when it came to girlie footwear.
Larry Miller of York Haven wore size 13, rhinestone-trimmed, red satin, strappy slingbacks.
Shawn McCleary of Hallam sported leggy, black vinyl, lace-up "G.I. Jane" combat boots. Click here for more...
With 2,757 runners and walkers already registered, Saturday's 12th annual Race Against Racism is on track to be the largest.
"We're hoping to have a record number of registrations," said John Jascoll, spokesman for the YWCA of Lancaster.
Usually, the 5-kilometer footrace and walk gets nearly 3,000 participants, Jascoll said. The number of people already signed up is higher than pre-registration totals from previous years, and more registrations are expected, he said. Click here for more....
YWCA Charleston events for the Stand Against Racism on April 30th
M.C. Helsabeck
Daily Record/Sunday News www.ydr.com
April 19, 2010
The 22nd annual edition of the 5K exclusively for the ladies took place Saturday in York, and the YWCA event cracked a new barrier: The race drew a record 415 women runners!
"It was another great race today," said race director Tara Neff. "We had a fantastic turnout, and they were amazing!"
Aimee Taylor raced to the victory in 18:07, topping Lynn Knothe (20:03) and Dianna Golden (21:14). Margaret Starnes was the top Masters finisher (over age 40) in 22:33.
The torment of 'red flags'
Children are often slow to share their stories of sexual abuse.
Looking back, the mother said, "There were so many stinking red flags."
Mary's young daughter was indecently touched by a family friend years before she told anyone it happened. Experts say children often are slow to disclose that they have been sexually abused.
Mary, who asked that her full name be withheld to protect her child, said her daughter, even as a little girl, had worried about hurting the offender's family. Click here for more...
Therapy focuses on feelings and 'thought distortions'
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children who have been sexually abused be evaluated by a mental health professional to assess whether therapy is needed.
In the view of Deb Francis Werner, director of counseling services at the YWCA of Lancaster Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center, therapeutic intervention is "critical."
Victims of sexual abuse are at risk for a raft of long-term problems, including substance abuse, eating disorders, suicide and re-victimization. "Therapeutic intervention is very important in preventing those long-term effects," Werner said. Click here for more...
The YWCA of Charleston is looking for submissions for the second annual YWCA Eliminating Racism Art Contest. Kindergarteners through adults are encouraged to submit their artwork in a communitywide effort to promote education and awareness about diversity and acceptance. Click here for more...
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
YWCA Plans to Open Nathan's Famous Franfurter Franchise
Since 2004 Sonia Kothari has donated more than 2,000 used cell phones to help victims of domestic violence in the midstate. Kothari’s long-standing devotion inspired Verizon Wireless on March 29 to donate $5,000 in Kothari’s name to YWCA of Greater Harrisburg.
The money will go toward the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Medical Advocate program, which trains people to advocate on behalf of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who are brought into the center. Click here for more...
Program to discuss community response to sexual assault
Daily Record/Sunday News www.ydr.com
April 3, 2010
An educational program will be held to discuss the importance of the community's response to victims of sexual assault.
The program will be 6 p.m. April 13 at the York College Life Science Theatre.
The program -- sponsored by the YWCA's York Victim Services and York County Alliance Against Sexual Violence -- will address several topics, including: best practices and how to respond effectively to victims of sexual violence. Click here for more...
Prom Dress Day gives away more than 130 dresses
Kelly Huth
March 29, 2010
The YWCA of Bethlehem hosted its third annual Prom Dress Day on Saturday at the State Theatre. More than 130 local high school girls walked away with new or gently used dresses for this year's prom. Click here for more...
YWCA honors Harrisburg-area women for volunteering
Ann H. Moffitt doesn’t spend much time reflecting on her legacy of almost five decades of volunteer work or her career, especially since she’s still working on both of them.
So the idea of being named the 2010 honoree of the Legacy Award, presented by the YWCA of the Greater Harrisburg, made her realize one thing.
“I’m not dead yet. How can I possibly have a legacy?” said Moffitt, of New Cumberland. “I’m very honored by the award, but I’m still very much alive.” Click here for more...
State Theatre To Host YWCA's Prom Dress Day Event, 3/27
Broadwayworld.com
March 24, 2010
The YWCA of Bethlehem, in cooperation with Northampton County high schools and local corporations, will collect and distribute prom dresses for Lehigh Valley young women.
The free distribution will occur 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27, at the State Theatre for the Arts in downtown Easton, 453 Northampton Street. At the event, personal shoppers will escort the girls as they select their dresses and accessories. On the day of the event, students must bring their high school ID, and each participant may bring only one female guest. No children will be permitted. The YWCA also needs volunteers for set-up and the event, March 26 and 27. Click here for more....
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
M.C. Helsabeck
York Daily Record/York Sunday News www.ydr.com
March 23, 2010
The YWCA of York, in partnership with the York Revolution, will be hosting this event on April 23. This event is an international march aimed at stopping rape, sexual assault and gender violence, where men have to walk a mile wearing women's high heels.
The event starts and ends at Sovereign Bank Stadium. Registration opens at 4 p.m., the walk starts at 5 p.m., and the Revs follow with a baseball game at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Victim Assistance Center, a YWCA program that offers free services to victims of sexual assault or other violent crimes.
For more information or to donate to the event, contact Miesha Hill at 434-1761 or mhill@ywcayork.org.
North Newton homeless veterans center nearly ready
Specialized housing is now available in North Newton Township for homeless veterans willing to help each other retake command of their lives.
Renovations were completed in late January to a single-family home at 90 Doubling Gap Road just outside Newville, said Ben Laudermilch, homeless and special needs housing director for the Cumberland/Perry Housing and Community Partnership.
About $326,815 in public and private money was used to develop a facility for up to six honorably discharged and homeless individuals who may otherwise fall through cracks in the support system, Laudermilch said.
New Visions of Chambersburg will operate the 3,100-square-foot facility, which consists of six upstairs bedrooms, along with a large kitchen, living room, dining room and sun room downstairs. Click here for more...
United Way cherishes the children with annual gala
Event is expected to raise more than $50,000 for summer camp scholarships.
When Donna Houser went hunting for deals Friday, she didn’t expect to find two hours of fly fishing lessons.
“There’s something for everybody,” said the Carlisle woman, making her rounds of the 83 items featured in the silent auction. “I like to look at everything first.”
It is tradition for her to attend the Evening for the Children Gala and participate in a subtle bidding war with friendly rivals dressed in formal suits, tuxedos and evening gowns. Click here for more...
Support coming for domestic violence victims in southern York County
York Daily Record/York Sunday News www.ydr.com
March 15, 2010
A support group for victims and survivors of domestic violence will be coming soon to southern York County.
ACCESS-York, a Victim Services program of YWCA York, will be conducting the support group in an effort to reach those who would otherwise not receive services because of isolation and transportation issues, according to a news release. Click here for more...
Deb Weinstein, executive director of the YWCA of Charleston, thanks the group's staff and supporters during a Friday-evening celebration of their successful $2 million fundraising campaign. Philanthropist Lyell Clay's foundation gave the YWCA $2 million and challenged the group to match it, which they did, creating a program endowment of $4 million. Click here for more...
Prom dress drive under way
Bob Coupland
Tribune Chronicle
February 23, 2010
Howland High School students are collecting used dresses to distribute to local girls in need for the upcoming prom season.
The dress giveaway event called ''Operation Fairy Godmother'' will befrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20 and 27 at the multipurpose room in the athletic section at Harding High School. Dresses will be collected through March 17.
Jessica Mason, 17, of the Howland High School National Honor Society, said the honor society and Interact Club, which she is the president of, are asking people to donate prom dresses to help those families who cannot afford to buy a new one for prom season.
Mason said she got the idea from Interact and Rotary members in other communities where such a project was successful.
She said the event will be open to girls from anywhere in Trumbull and Mahoning counties who need a dress. Click here for more...
YWCA building sold for all-girls public middle school
Leadership School paid $1.5 million, plans to begin construction by spring
Edward Gunts
The Baltimore Sun
February 18, 2010
YWCA headquarters was sold this week and will reopen in September as the home of Baltimore's first all-girls public middle school, and one of only two public all-girls schools in the city: the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women.
The nonprofit Foundation for the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women paid $1.5 million Tuesday to acquire the six-story YWCA building at 128 W. Franklin St. and plans to begin construction by spring to convert the building to its new use.
The Leadership School opened in 2009 with 120 sixth-graders operating out of temporary quarters on the third floor of Western High School, at 4600 Falls Road. It will start on Franklin Street with 220 students in grades six and seven and will add one grade a year so it eventually has 650 young women in grades six through 12. Click here for more...
Bad guys are stuck, too
Police: Crime takes a few snow days off
There is a silver lining to all of the snow hitting the area.
According to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County police, the nearly 3 feet of snow that is keeping most families home this week also is keeping the county's criminal element off the street and reports of serious crimes down.
Hard statistics relating to the storm were unavailable, but officials with both departments said officers were responding to fewer reports of aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and theft. Click here for more....
YWCA to Launch First Ever Support Group for Women With Biracial Children
This month, the YWCA in Charleston will launch a support group for interracial families.
According to a news release from the association, this type of support is lacking in West Virginia. In the 2000 U.S. Census, 6.8 million people reported being more than one race.
"My response is always kind and informative, but the question itself is sometimes part of the reason they need support," YWCA Racial Justice Coordinator Nell Fleming said. "If you don’t know why or don’t think we need support, you haven’t walked in our shoes."
The Women with Biracial Children Support Group will be held on the third Monday of each month from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the YWCA O'Conoor-Autz Room at 1114 Quarrier Street in downtown Charleston.
The group is for mothers or female guardians raising biracial or multiracial children who need support dealing with identify development, child rearing, racism, discrimination and other issues unique to caregivers with multiracial children. Click here for more....
Raising Funds for children of Haiti and YWCA Haiti January 22, 2010
The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is shocked and saddened by the impact of the devastating earthquake on the people of Haiti, particularly the children. In the wake of the tragic event in Haiti, we at the YWCA were compelled to respond. As a result, the YWCA will be accepting donations to send to YWCA of Haiti and to the BRESMA Orphanage in Port-au-Prince where children are waiting for adoption. The YWCA will match, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 total which will be taken from our reserve funds. If you would like to make a donation to help us help the children of Haiti you may do so directly through our website at www.ywcapgh.org
When it's cold, shelters for homeless 'make space'
People who worry about Harrisburg's homeless do so year-round and don't need to scramble when the weather forecast calls for temperatures that can kill.
"Temperatures like this are a danger to life and limb. It would be wrong to turn people away. So we don't," said Chuck Wingate, Bethesda Mission's executive director.
The weekend forecast calls for overnight lows in the teens. Click here for more...
YWCA of Bethlehem will hold the following lectures as part of its 35th annual Great Decision Foreign Affairs Lecture Series at Kirkland Village, Madison Avenue, Bethlehem: a discussion on peace building with Lehigh University's Frank Gunter, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday; and a discussion on Kenya and the United Nation's Responsibility to Protect doctrine featuring Curtis Keim, professor of history and political science at Moravian College, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10. The cost is $10 per lecture. For information, call 610-867-4669.
Children learn what it means to have a dream
YW center honors civil rights leader, celebrates his life
Children from local child-care centers learned more about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and honored his life Monday at the fifth annual YWCA King Day celebration.
In recognition of the gifts King gave our nation, the approximately 125 children were offered creative ways to celebrate his vision of hope and sense of humanity.
"They are writing and creating birthday cards for Dr. King that will be sent to the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta," said Cheryl Gahring, director of child care.
They also signed a large "I Have A Dream" poster to go along with the cards, made peace necklaces and wrote about their own dreams. Click here for more...
Almost 200 people celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Bethlehem
Almost 200 people gathered today to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
During a two-hour celebration co-sponsored by the Bethlehem branch of the N.A.A.C.P. and the Bethlehem YWCA, participants spoke about how King’s dreams for equality have fared in the present and in Haiti. Click here for more...
More than 100 people packed the Heritage Church for the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service on Sunday evening.
Dallas Leake, president of the Fremont Brach of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said King always pushed people to take action.
"He always wanted us to challenge the status quo," Leake said. "You have to get out of your comfort zone."
The service featured entertainment, including songs by Ebenezer Choir, a performance by Set Free Dance Troop and a moving poem about King written and recited by Latrice Brisco.
The keynote speaker was Jeanine Donaldson, executive director of the YWCA in Elyria. Click here for more...
The YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County was recently a recipients of a $1,000 grant from Unity Gardens, a nonprofit organization that supports neighborhood greening projects, environmental enhancement and education.
The grant was used to landscape the entrance way to the YWCA building on Ritchie Highway in Arnold.
Volunteers worked over several weekends to plant and mulch the gardens, beautifying a highly trafficked location and creating a more welcoming and peaceful reception.
For more information, call the YWCA at 410-626-7800, Ext. 115, or e-mail epoiter@ywcaaac.org.
The Lancaster YWCA's child-care and youth department will hold its fifth annual King Day celebration on Monday.
The YWCA, 110 N. Lime St., will again invite youngsters from neighborhood day-care centers and other school-age programs.
They will then take part in activities including making birthday cards to send to the King Center in Atlanta and performing multicultural music.
The YWCA's racial justice and advocacy trainer, Conrad Moore, will speak to children about what King stood for.
Call the YWCA at 393-1735 for further information. Click here for all activites...
Mentoring program seeks female veterans
The Valley's Homepage www.vindy.com
January 14, 2010
The YWCA Warren T.E.A.M. Mentoring program is looking for female Trumbull County Veterans to dress in camouflage or dress uniforms and to speak to small groups of fourth-grade students about their military experience.
The talks will be part of a Valentine Tribute to Female Veterans program to take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 6 at the YWCA, 375 N. Park Ave.
Included in the event will be a tribute to the veterans, re-enactments and a presentation by the National Freedom Center.
Those willing to participate should contact Toni Blake, coordinator, at (330) 373-1010, ext. 18, by Jan. 22.
