YWCA of Walla Walla

2009 is the 92nd anniversary of the YWCA of Walla Walla. Through a dedicated Board of Directors, a strong and committed staff and outstanding community support, the programs of the YWCA are as strong as they have ever been—and getting stronger!

On November 11 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm members of the Walla Walla community will gather to make Peace Cranes in the Reception Room of the YWCA 213 S. First Street.

Instruction will be available and the goal is to make 1,000 cranes to be sent to the YWCA of Palestine in Jerusalem.

Legend has it that if 1,000 cranes are made a wish will be granted and the wish will be for peace in the country that receives the cranes.

This is the second annual Peace Crane event at the YWCA--last year over 30 people of all ages participated. Refreshments will be served and materials will be provided.

Please join us--call 525-2570 for more information and to sign-up.

YWCA RECEIVES PART OF $3 MILLION NATIONWIDE GRANT FROM THE MARY KAY FOUNDATION TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN WALLA WALLA

Domestic violence shelters receive much needed cash infusion in light of the economic downturn

WALLA WALLA YWCA Women’s Shelter has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program. The YWCA Women’s Shelter is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will be used to purchase a transport vehicle.

“This grant is such a blessing to the YWCA’s Women’s Shelter in a variety of ways,” said Danielle Hill, Director of Client Services. “Not only does it make up for a deficit in funding this year but gives us hope and strength to continue what we do. Domestic violence continues to be a serious problem and deserves very serious attention. Programs to help families escape violence and homelessness require a lot of resources. That’s why we are so thankful The Mary Kay Foundation is helping us help families in the Walla Walla area.”

The economic climate has not only caused a decrease in donations but can also be attributed to an increase in the need for domestic violence services. In May 2009, Mary Kay’s Truth About Abuse survey of domestic violence shelters across the country revealed some alarming results: three out of four domestic violence shelters report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse since September 2008, a major turning point in the U.S. economy. The survey data directly connects the downturn in the economy to an increase in domestic violence.

“In light of the economic downturn and alarming increases in domestic violence, The Mary Kay Foundation’s mission is more critical than ever before. The YWCA’s Women’s Shelter has helped so many women and their families in the Walla Walla area. We know they will use these funds to benefit even more domestic violence survivors and their children and help end domestic violence,” said Jennifer Cook, The Mary Kay Foundation board member.

The YWCA of Walla Walla has served small rural communities in the Blue Mountains of Southeastern Washington for 92 years. While our programs and services have changed to meet women’s needs, our mission has never wavered: we exist to eliminate racism and to empower women. When the domestic violence movement made its way to our community in the late 1970s, we realized that our old travelers’ aid structure was exactly the place for the provision of safe, secure, and respectful shelter for women leaving abuse. The women of the YWCA raised the funds needed to bring the building up to code, and they never looked back. Now, the YWCA operates two shelters, serves two counties in Washington and also helps many women fleeing abusive situations in Oregon. We provide domestic violence and sexual assault crisis response and supportive advocacy services to over 600 new clients every year.

About The Mary Kay Foundation
The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded nearly $22 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and $13 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).

Congress has begun work on next year's federal budget (FY 2010). Like at the state level, there are two versions of the budget -- Senate and House -- and they can be different. Each side has now passed their own version, and they will negotiate to combine into one final version, likely in the next two weeks.
The Senate version of the budget contains two amendments for higher spending on important domestic violence funding:
** $10 million for the Long-Term Stability/Housing for Victims Program under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This program builds collaborations between domestic violence service providers and housing providers and developers to leverage existing resources and create permanent housing solutions that meet victims' needs. ** $1 billion to fully fund VAWA and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). These programs provide funding for emergency shelters and community-based advocacy, along with grant funding for a range of specific areas (such as children's services, civil legal assistance, rural-specific programs, STOP, Grants to Encourage Arrest, transitional housing).

What Can You Do?
One of our two U.S. Senators from Washington state, Patty Murray, is a member of the Senate Budget Committee that drafted one version of the budget bill. Call Sen. Murray's office in Washington, D.C. at 1-866-481-9186 and give this message:

For more information, please contact Tralonne Shorter at tshorter@nnedv.org or 202.543.5566.

The Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America is a women’s membership movement nourished by its roots in the Christian faith and sustained by the richness of many beliefs and values.

Strengthened by diversity, the Association draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision:
Peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.

The Association will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.Mission Statement of the YWCA of the USA
Click here to go to the YWCA of the USA site.