Standing at the Threshold: Finding Our Way Forward Together In 2021, we find ourselves at a new threshold, a place tinged with both anticipation and trepidation. Where do we go from here, and how will we get there? Keynote speaker, writer, facilitator, and coach with over 20 years of national and international experience, Molly Davis … Continue reading Register for the 2021 Virtual YWCA Luncheon
Every year in April, YWCAs all over the country take a Stand Against Racism. Show that you’re taking a stand by downloading and printing this sign. Then post a selfie with #standagainstracism. If you missed the YWCA 21-Day Racial Equity & Social Justice Challenge 2021 in March, click here for a catalog of the 21-Day Challenge … Continue reading Stand Against Racism
When Walla Walla closed schools and businesses to slow the spread of coronavirus, all ages of students were faced with new ways to learn. That included YWCA LiNC students. LiNC stands for “Living In New Circumstances” and is designed to help domestic violence survivors gain confidence and set goals for independent living. These students face … Continue reading LiNC: COVID-conscious classes carry on
Longtime educator Deana York has retired as director of the YWCA LiNC program. Deana based LiNC on the Impact Life Transitions Program she started at Walla Walla Community College in 2004. Impact was a model program in Washington state. However, many programs lost funding in 2010, including Impact. The program needed a new home, and … Continue reading LiNC curriculum creator retiring
We appreciate your gifts to YWCA Walla Walla So many generous supporters have stepped up for the YWCA in a big way during this crazy year, 2020. Thank you! When we found our costs rising because of the very same virus that forced the canceling of all our fundraising events, we weren’t at all sure … Continue reading You let your light shine
SAFER CAMPUSES, COMMUNITY YWCA Campus Advocate Jessica Matthews and a team of student interns representing Whitman College, Walla Walla University, and Walla Walla Community College, hosted a tri-college summit on sexual violence, “Building Community Through Justice and Healing,” Oct. 25 as part of Domestic Violence Action Month. “I was searching for examples of sexual violence … Continue reading Summit takes on campus violence
On Nov. 24, our community lost a beautiful soul. Like her mother, Dora Reyes, Elsa Escalante was a member of the YWCA Board of Directors as well as a volunteer. She courageously battled brain cancer, even attending some board meetings after her treatment began. She is deeply missed by her family and also by her … Continue reading Tribute to Elsa Escalante
Departing YWCA Advocate Kenia Pineda first met Executive Director Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin while working on her bachelor’s degree in social work at Walla Walla University. “Anne-Marie made time in her busy schedule and told me all there was to know about the YWCA in a nutshell!” Kenia said. “She made sure I left with all … Continue reading See you later, Kenia!
Just in time for the holidays, YWCA Walla Walla was surprised by an unsolicited, unrestricted gift of $1 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. She announced her gift in a blog post on Medium Tuesday morning. Why us? Scott described a rigorous review process focused on nonprofits serving populations with “high projected food insecurity, high measures … Continue reading YWCA Walla Walla receives unexpected gift
Last year, and for many, many years previously, YWCA Walla Walla hosted a much-loved holiday tradition, building Hansel & Gretel houses. If you were there, you may remember how much fun the kids (and parents!) had or how many attended. You may recall, especially in recent years, families wearing extremely festive (definitely not “ugly”) Christmas … Continue reading Six ways to build YWCA Hansel & Gretel Holiday Houses