What the YWCA means to me:

I love coming to the YWCA afterschool program. The YWCA means a lot to me because it is like a home away from home. It is like a family.  Susie, Age 10
 
I love working out at the YWCA's Club W. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the classes and instructors are great, and the membership fees support excellent, quality programming for women and children.   Amanda Edwards, Literacy Council
The YWCA is positive, happy people.  Wendy Mannon Leighty, member 

New Choices:
Strategies for Success

Displaced Homemaker Program
Case management for displaced homemakers. Eligibility requirements are listed here. This program is structured to assist our participants move out of financial crisis and put the essential components of stability in place so they can become more economically self-sufficient. By conducting a thorough intake, participants create their own action plans with both short term and long term goals to move toward earning a greater income. Counseling, advocacy, and resource and referral are all key components of this program. Participants have a review at least every six months to review and set new goals. Child care and transportation are offered on a limited basis.

Supportive Services
YWCA New Choices provides free Drop-In Child Care for parents who are in transition, continuing their education, or looking for employment. Currently, drop-in child care is available Monday through Friday mornings from 7:30 am - 12:30 pm, Monday through Thursday evenings from 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am - 11:30 am. Space is limited. Evening hours are for students only. To make reservations, call 828-254-7206 x 113 on Monday or Wednesday between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. A phone orientation is required. You can click here to watch a video testimonial from Jodi Rhoden of Short Street Cakes, who used Drop-In Child Care to help start her business.

The Circles of Hope support group provides support for women struggling with un- or under-employment. This group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at the the YWCA at 6:00 pm. Child care and dinner is offered during these meetings. The schedule is subject to change as a result of inclement weather and occasional YWCA mandated events. Schedule changes will be listed on the voice mail number below.

For more information on these services, call Missy Summers, New Choices Director, at 828-254-7206 x 113. 

Resources
Helpful websites for dealing with divorce and custody issues can be found here.

"Through New Choices I found faith, hope and love freely offered and generously given. Stephanie and the group Circles of Hope gave me the support I needed to slowly recover from emotional and financial devastation that was the result of a bad marriage and divorce. I learned that I was still a person of value and I was able to regain my self esteem. I thank God there was a place where I could find myself again."        

- Greta Shelton, former New Choices Participant