Denise Shives, 2019 Board President, presented two community awards at the Year in Review. The first went to Gesa Credit Union, our Business Partner of the Year. Gesa invited Denise and Executive Director Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin to their regional meeting to educate 500 Gesa employees about domestic violence, a great YWCA opportunity. The meeting concluded … Continue reading Gesa and Life Church part of amazing community
YWCA Walla Walla is co-organizing a project with photographer Augusta Sparks Farnum and Whitman College Community Fellow Jessie Brandt to capture voices of women in our community (Walla Walla and Columbia counties), and we need your help. We aren’t necessarily looking for the first person who springs to mind as a traditional leader. (Though she … Continue reading Quiet Force: Women who make things happen
If you ask YWCA director of childcare, Tabitha Haney, what she loves most about her Adventure Club staff, she might tell you that they never shrink from a challenge.When she presented the staff with information about the School’s Out Washington program, they knew it would be hard work and could make Adventure Club better for … Continue reading Adventure Club kids learning skills through play time
Nearly 100 friends of YWCA Walla Walla gathered on Monday, Feb. 3, to celebrate the accomplishments of 2019 and the supporters who made it possible — you! YWCA staff highlighted several programs that your gifts moved forward last year. Mary Byrd, Director of Client Services, started a support group for women at the Walla Walla … Continue reading YWCA kicks off year of vision
Nearly all YWCA board members attended a board retreat at the YWCA on January 25, including six new members! Lynne Brennan jumped right into volunteer life in Walla Walla eight years ago after moving here from Woodinville where she served in the Children’s Hospital oncology ward for 15 years. She has been a board member and … Continue reading Meet the new members of our board of directors
YWCA Walla Walla staff and clients are regularly joined by volunteers who give their time to lighten the load and cover some of the tasks we can’t always get to. Fashion warriors Volunteer Kathy Jones has donated more than 220 hours over the past five years to sorting donations for our emergency clothing closet, making … Continue reading Volunteers brighten days at YWCA Walla Walla
At the YWCA Leadership Luncheon, you heard from two young YWCA women who empower fifth-grade girls to grow as leaders. And we shared our dream of seeing Mariposa, Spanish for butterfly, in every elementary school in Walla Walla. Thanks to the overwhelming response from our luncheon guests, we were able to begin this school year … Continue reading Mariposa: You’re the wind beneath their wings
Lorena Ault, a bilingual/bicultural YWCA advocate for 17 years, has a taste for fun and fashion (including a stunning shoe collection) that belies a deep and passionate commitment to helping others. Lorena and fellow advocate Celia Guardado have worked hard to help immigrant domestic violence survivors navigate the complex legal system to safety. Their bond … Continue reading Adios, dear Lorena: Advocate to fight human trafficking
In 2017, YWCA began a series of free classes for clients. Designed to build confidence and uncover hidden strengths, LiNC, short for Living in New Circumstances, helps survivors of domestic violence step ahead in strength with plans in place, connected to their community from Day 1. The first LiNC class graduated, having formed strong bonds … Continue reading LiNC program for survivors continues to grow
Do you know what is the fastest growing segment of the U.S. prison population? The Center for American Progress noted in a recent report that the answer is women — and this segment is “increasing at nearly double the rate of men since 1985.” A troubling fact is that while the average woman has suffered … Continue reading You’re giving incarcerated women a new start