What do you do when a coronavirus pandemic forces you to postpone a luncheon that typically brings in more than $150,000 of your fundraising budget? How can you continue to provide essential domestic violence and sexual assault services to your community? 1. One answer is that you get by with a little (make that a … Continue reading You can still watch YWCA Virtual Luncheon 2020
Celia Guardado is the YWCA Community Outreach Coordinator who also offers a Spanish language support group. It is a special space for immigrant survivors of violence. Celia Guardado, community outreach coordinator, said many of these women have low-wage jobs and live paycheck-to-paycheck. Some have been very nervous about not having the cash available to stock … Continue reading Spanish group a survivor lifeline
While working from home is prescribed for all nonessential services, YWCA continues to offer the Domestic Violence Protection Order (PO) Clinic. “I’ve been asked by family and friends if I am still working,” said advocate Jessica Matthews. “The need for protection and shelter for women fleeing from an abusive partner does not diminish during a … Continue reading Protection Order Clinic an essential service for survivors
According to Director of Client Services, Mary Byrd, COVID-19 has done nothing to reduce the need for YWCA Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault services. “The shelters are nearly at capacity,” Mary said. “We are seeing some walk-ins and doing advocacy by phone as well as daily Protection Order Clinics. We are carrying on with the … Continue reading Advocates carry on
A message from the YWCA Executive Director What a roller coaster ride we have all been on! How are you doing? Whether you are an introvert who has spent your life preparing for this worldwide quarantine, or an extrovert who craves constant social interaction, I think we can all agree that staying connected with the … Continue reading A time to keep calm
“My LiNC 2.0 class,” said Deana York, YWCA LiNC educator, “was making real progress when we got the news that gatherings of 10 or more should be cancelled.” The class had been growing close, acquiring skills and knowledge, and was helping meet each other’s needs outside of class. “I knew it would be terrible to … Continue reading LiNC 2.0 group goes online
Jessica Matthews, YWCA advocate and sexual assault victims advocate (SAVA) for Whitman Campus, continues to work as more businesses and activities shut down to slow the spread of COVID-19 infections. Available during Whitman shutdown Although many Whitman students left for Spring Break and will not be returning to campus, Jessica remains available to students, faculty, … Continue reading Advocate working with Whitman community, shelter during shutdown
To our community and our program participants: Your safety, and the safety of our program participants and staff, is our highest priority. Please continue to take care of yourself, and thank you for isolating for the good of our community. YWCA Walla Walla leadership continues to respond to the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) pandemic with measures designed to both … Continue reading COVID-19: Caring for our community
COVID-19 UPDATE Dear YWCA Friends and Partners: Thank you for helping people face challenges every day with dignity and peace. In this time of uncertainty, we want you to know that your investment in the empowerment of people is working. Here’s what we’re doing to keep critical services to women and families going in the … Continue reading YWCA responds to coronavirus concerns
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