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YWCA names Interim Executive Director

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Group photo of the 2025 board with interim executive director Liz Swanson

The YWCA Board of Directors has appointed Liz Swanson (pictured above in pink opposite Board President Becky Kettner)  from the Valtas Group as Interim Executive Director. The Valtas Group is well known through the Pacific Northwest for guiding successful nonprofit executive leadership transitions, including other YWCAs, sexual assault services, childcare programs, and many other human services organizations … Continue reading YWCA names Interim Executive Director →

A holiday miracle for Grace and her family

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On a chilly morning in December, the team at Underriner Honda of Walla Walla gathered with anticipation for their annual holiday car giveaway.  General Sales Manager Pat Custer took a moment to explain the process. “The United Way gathers nominations,” Pat shared. “Once applications are approved, our staff has the honor of making the final selection.” A partnership of … Continue reading A holiday miracle for Grace and her family →

Campus support role for YWCA advocate

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Smiling advocate standing in the Walla Walla Courthouse law library where the YWCA provides assistance with protection orders

KAREN ANGEL always knew she wanted a job helping people, which is why she studied psychology at Washington State University. She was hired as a YWCA Advocate partway through her degree, which has included many relevant classes like Violence Toward Women, Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents, and Families in Poverty. “When I first began … Continue reading Campus support role for YWCA advocate →

Child advocacy: Your support empowers young lives

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Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) succeed when they center on kids’ needs WHEN A CHILD is being abused, the No. 1 priority is that child’s safety and well-being. Children are vulnerable,and they may lack the vocabulary and power to speak for themselves.In her new role at the YWCA, Leslie Bumgardner, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Coordinator, is helping make … Continue reading Child advocacy: Your support empowers young lives →

Family ties bind YWCA wedding tradition

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Two photos inside purple border: On left is the bride and groom recessing and the other is the bride with her uncle, grandmother, and younger sister.

Friday, June 14, was a day filled with love, memories, and tradition as Brianna and Joaquin celebrated their wedding where Brianna’s grandmother and great-aunt tied the knot more than 50 years earlier. Brianna’s great-aunt Norma and great-uncle Frank exchanged vows in the YWCA reception room in 1972, and her grandparents, Mary and Merle, followed a … Continue reading Family ties bind YWCA wedding tradition →

Lana leads caring team of Advocates

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Our new Director of Client Services, Lana Bushman, has always found satisfaction in helping people grow, heal and flourish, especially women and children who can’t advocate for themselves.Being a survivor herself, she said, makes it easier for her to comprehend all that they are going through when dealing with domestic violence (DV) or sexual assault … Continue reading Lana leads caring team of Advocates →

Sponsorship: More than logos

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When organizations sponsor a YWCA event, you might be surprised how deep the support goes. Providence St. Mary Medical Center regularly goes above and beyond financial support.“We know when we contribute to YWCA, through sponsorship of an event, bringing a hot meal to the shelter, or other ways,” said Emily Volland, Providence Communication Director, “that … Continue reading Sponsorship: More than logos →