In 2024, Mariposa leaders entered Walla Walla fifth grade classrooms with a fully updated curriculum for this group of students who started school in 2019 and were in kindergarten when the pandemic hit in 2020.
Today’s fifth-graders are part of the first generation to spend their lives immersed in social media, with screens everywhere.
Changes in the use of technology in and out of school have had a major influence on these girls’ early learning experiences and continue to shape their worlds.
They have health and relationship challenges related to screen time, including loneliness, isolation, obesity, and cyber-bullying.
The YWCA is all about helping women and girls become leaders in their own lives, said Rebecca Patterson, Mariposa Coordinator, and we need to meet them where they are.
If we don’t include the online space where so much of their lives are happening, she said, we’re missing a big opportunity to help girls learn and grow.
Last April YWCA Walla Walla expanded its childcare options by opening a full-time facility dedicated to caring for the community’s youngest children.
Located in Dayton, Rosemary’s Place is an offshoot of My Friend’s House, the YWCA childcare facility on Birch Street in Walla Walla. Children ages 6 weeks to 6 years are admitted.
Anita Jackson, a gregarious woman who laughs easily, is the lead infant caretaker at Rosemary’s Place. A mother of four, she knows a thing or two about nurturing babies and young children.
A sense of community
“I absolutely adore working here. Actually, I can’t imagine working any place else.” When pressed to say more, Anita points to the strong sense of community that upholds Rosemary’s Place.
“You work so closely with the parents and there are so many community members who want to be a part of working with kids.”
She loves the fact that some volunteers like to read to the kids while others create pint sized science experiments for them to try. “They want to help however they can.”
Anita often takes the children on excursions and one of her favorite trips is to visit The Cottages, an assisted living facility near the hospital in Dayton.
An opportunity to shine
Every year the Dayton Chamber of Commerce holds an annual Community Awards Ceremony to celebrate businesses in the community. They approached YWCA Director of Childcare, Tabitha Haney, to see if someone from Rosemary’s Place might want to decorate a few tables with centerpieces that the honorees could take home.
The first person who came to mind was Anita. She’s well known for her design skills and is always the one to decorate the facility for holidays. Anita immediately accepted the challenge. After all, this was a chance for Rosemary’s Place to represent themselves as a new business in the Dayton community.
Sending a colorful message
First, she asked herself “What says childcare?”
Then, Anita let her imagination lead her, despite not having the exact craft skills required. Her first step was to attach colorful crayons around a large candle. She chuckled, “My boyfriend had to show me how to use a glue gun!”
Since the mascot of Rosemary’s Place is an elephant, this too was included, along with the fragrant herb that the daycare is named after.
It’s obvious when speaking with Anita that she is very happy working at Rosemary’s Place and proud to have represented them locally. “There’s just a huge sense of community at work.” If asked next year, she said she’d be more than willing to create themed centerpieces again. “I’m happy to contribute to such a wonderful community!”
Anita consults her notes while decorating a table to represent RoseMary’s Place at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce awards banquet.
*YWCA VolunteerPaige Rogers recently directed Rhinoceros at the Harper Joy Theater on Whitman’s campus. She holds an English degree from Princeton University and a Masters in Journalism from the University of Wroclaw.
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 care
United Way Blue Mountain’s Executive Director Christy Lieuallen explained the criteria. “Trusted partner agencies like the YWCA identify clients who would benefit from a reliable vehicle and who can manage the ongoing costs of ownership, like insurance, fuel, and maintenance. We collect, organize, and review the applications before submitting them to the dealership,” she explained.
When Karen Angel, YWCA Advocate/Campus Advocate, learned about the opportunity, Grace and her children immediately came to mind. A family of 5, they barely fit in their borrowed Ford Focus. More worrying were the car’s growing mechanical issues.
Karen also knew that the car hadn’t been Grace’s only struggle. When she checked in at the shelter about the family’s food security and discovered Grace was skipping meals to be sure her kids would have enough, “it broke my heart,” she said.
Grace was a perfect fit for the criteria. “She is responsible and resilient,” Karen said. “And I knew how much she would benefit from a reliable vehicle appropriate for her family.”
Grace’s success impressed everyone at the shelter, said Karen. “Not even a month after moving out, she got promoted to a supervisor position.” This made her a full-time employee, which would help reduce her family’s financial stress and secure her ability to handle the responsibilities of car ownership.
YWCA Advocates at the presentation included Karen Angel, Alisha Gonzales, and Lana Bushman. Christy Lieuallen represented United Way.
Once the decision was made to nominate Grace, Karen and Lana Bushman, YWCA’s Director of Client Services, got to work on the application, completing it during a busy week with only moments to spare.
A thoughtful selection
After the nominations were narrowed to a few finalists, the dealership staff made the final choice. “Her courage and dedication to her children stood out,” Pat said. “She’s faced so much and has worked hard to create a strong, loving home.”
Blake Underriner, owner of Underriner Honda, shared the history of the giveaway. “My parents started this program 10 or 15 years ago at their first store in Billings,” he explained. “We later expanded it to include our dealerships in Walla Walla and The Dalles.” Blake emphasized that the owners provide the car and cover a year’s worth of any necessary repairs. But what made him most proud was how the dealership’s staff embraced the project. “They chose the car, donated their time fixing it up and detailing it to make it as perfect as possible. They even pooled their own money to buy gifts for the kids.”
During the presentation, Pat struggled to hold back tears. “I get emotional this time of year,” he admitted. “No child should go without at Christmas, and I’m so grateful to work for an owner who cares this much.”
Gratitude and joy
The presentation brought immense joy to everyone involved, but the highlight was the reaction from Grace’s family. Grace had decided that this special occasion warranted missing a little school, so her children arrived at the dealership with no idea what awaited them.
Product Specialist Teya demonstrates the van’s audiovisual system.
“This is ours?” Grace’s older daughter asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Once they grasped the reality of their new eight-passenger Honda Odyssey, the children eagerly explored its features, especially the screen and DVD player. A friendly debate ensued about who would get to pick the first video.
“That’s easy,” said one brother, gesturing to his younger sister. “The littlest should pick first.”
Between the dealership’s employees and several YWCA Advocates, plus United Way’s Christy, quite a crowd was assembled to witness the moment, one filled with smiles, gratitude, and the promise of brighter days ahead for Grace and her family.
The kids enthusiastically dove into their gift bags and thanked the staff for their generosity before loading everything into their new vehicle.
For Underriner Honda and YWCA Walla Walla, this day was about more than just a car. It was a way to fuel hope and drive change in our community, one family at a time.
How you can inspire community support as a Table Captain
Wendy Cheng has been a dedicated YWCA Luncheon Table Captain for so long that she’s lost count. “Maybe 15 years?” she speculated.
Over time, her involvement grew, and she co-chaired the event for several of its 25 years alongside Claire Siegel and a few other friends.
One common misconception Wendy shared about being a Table Captain (TC) is that you’re responsible for purchasing tickets for the entire table. Yes, a few TCs may choose to treat the whole table, but most simply extend invitations to a few friends who purchase their own tickets.
Another myth is that you have to recruit friends who will be big donors. “Yes, the luncheon is a fundraiser,” Wendy says, “but the goal is to have a diverse cross-section of the community attend. The luncheon is also about growth—introducing new people and new energy to our mission of helping survivors break free from domestic violence.”
Wendy suggests starting small by inviting groups you’re already a part of, like workout buddies, book clubs, or church friends. She recalls her own humble beginning, filling just half a table by asking four tennis friends to join. From there, word spread. Soon, friends were asking to bring co-workers or family members, and she found herself filling not just one-half, but two full tables of ten.
Today, the process is simpler than ever with online ticketing. Wendy provides her guests with easy instructions: choose an entrée, note any allergies, and pay online. If you prefer, checks are fine too.
“It’s really that simple,” she says. “Then all that’s left is showing up to enjoy lunch, reconnect with friends, and hear an inspiring speaker.”
Wendy’s story shows that being a Table Captain isn’t about having deep pockets or a vast network—it’s about sharing your passion for the YWCA mission and creating opportunities for others to get involved. If that sounds like something you would enjoy, reach out to Kirsten: kschober@ywcaww.org. Or call 509-525-2570 and let the YWCA office know you’d like to learn more about being a Luncheon Table Captain.
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 my job with the YWCA, I was super excited to help women who felt alone.” Karen loved the idea of helping families and guiding survivors to light and hope. She’s done crisis work responding to sexual assaults at the hospital and handling domestic violence calls. She represents the YWCA at the county protection order clinic and accompanies clients to hearings.
“Working in the shelter for the past two years, I have noticed that some kids come into our shelter in distress and frustrated because of the situation they were living in,” she said. “Of course it’s reflected in their behavior.”
Coursework about poverty, she said, “allowed me to truly see the struggles that low-income families go through and how much it impacts not just the parents but the kids as well. Sometimes those struggles go on for generations.”
THE BEST FEELING “I love to see when a woman who has been put down or gaslighted finds their purpose again,” Karen said. “Watching them fly from our shelter to their own home – with a job and empowered – is the best feeling in the world.”
Now in her new role, she continues her work in the shelter and also spends half her time as an advocate at Whitman providing free, confidential support to anyone experiencing assault or intimate partner violence.
While these YWCA services can be provided on campus, an assault will not be reported to college officials unless the survivor wishes.
And those times when abuse is reported, Karen offers support throughout the investigation process. She understands how traumatic an assault can be and that it has the potential to disrupt a student’s education.
“What happened to them was not their fault,” Karen said. “I want to encourage them to continue with their careers and move on from an awful experience.”
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 sure those kids have a voice.
“I’m excited about bringing a team together,” Leslie said, “getting everyone who’s committed to what’s best for children around a table regularly.”
The ultimate goal is to have a fully accredited Child Advocacy Center (CAC), a process that will take time.
Meanwhile, Leslie is looking forward to strengthening partnerships between team members. Those partnerships are vital because children respond best in a protective environment where they feel safe and can tell their stories – just once – to the people who can help stop the abuse and provide needed support. That’s the essence of a CAC.
WHY MDTs MATTER A key component of the CAC model is the multidisciplinary team (MDT). Leslie has been meeting with Child Protective Service investigators, law enforcement personnel, counselors, advocates, and other expert professionals to prepare for improved collaboration among these entities.
“We can do better for kids when we put them at the center of the process,” Leslie said. When efforts are not well coordinated, the independent process of each agency involved can lead to unnecessary and repetitive interviews that re-victimize a child, forcing them to relive the trauma over and over.
The CAC model is designed to transform the process. As MDT members gather and share information about a child’s case, they smooth the way for that child to begin healing, receive justice, and experience trust.
ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN “Coordinated, child-centered responses have been found to accelerate the healing process for kids. We’re so grateful to everyone who encouraged the YWCA to lead this work,” said Executive Director Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin.
By next year, YWCA Advocates specially trained in child advocacy will join MDTs collaborating to provide better outcomes and support for children and families.
“Everyone is working hard to do their best for children,” Leslie said, “and I can’t wait to build a team that pulls together all the folks already working passionately for young victims of violence and sexual abuse.”
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 few months later, on June 29, 1973.
This connection to her family’s past made the choice of venue particularly special for Brianna.
“When we were trying to find places to have the wedding, we weren’t sure where to start because I don’t belong to a church, and all the venues around here were larger than we needed and so expensive,” Brianna shared. “Then my grandma Mary mentioned the YWCA since she and her sister had gotten married there, so we checked it out and thought it was a great idea.”
BACK IN THE DAY In the early 1970s before ending domestic violence became a big part of the YWCA mission, the building was a safe, affordable place where young women could rent rooms while they attended college or were starting their careers. The reception room, like today, was used for YWCA programs as well as a variety of other community events.
“My great-aunt Norma’s wedding was in December, and my grandma’s was in June like ours, but at 8 pm.”
Since the building wasn’t yet air conditioned, an evening wedding may have an attempt to beat the heat. “My grandma told me her wedding day was so hot that the cake started to slide,” Brianna recalled with a smile.
Carrying on her family’s tradition was deeply meaningful to Brianna.
“I’m very close to my grandma on my mom’s side of the family,” Brianna said, “so I’m happy I get to share this with her.”
Although some beloved family members were missing, including her great-aunt Norma and grandfather Merle, who both passed away in 2022, their presence was felt.
Brianna’s great-uncle Frank attended the wedding, and her uncle Michael walked her down the aisle.
ENDURING LOVE The Bahm Torrez wedding at the YWCA wasn’t just a celebration of love between two people but a beautiful testament to enduring family bonds and traditions that span generations.
It felt very cool to continue my family’s YWCA wedding tradition,” Brianna said. “It will always be something interesting I can tell people about our wedding day.”
Need a room for a meeting or party?
Whether you’re planning a simple meeting with snacks or a family reunion with far-flung participants joining by Zoom, the YWCA kitchen and reception room may have what you need.
Learn more about rates and what’s available by calling 509-525-2570 or emailing the office manager, Karla, at kcastillo@ywcaww.org.
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 (SA).
IMMEDIATE GOALS “My goal for the next three months,” said Lana, “is setting up a strong program of support groups for DV and SA survivors.”
In the next six months to a year, she plans awareness campaigns to educate community members, including teens, about DV, also called intimate partner violence (IPV), and to encourage people to promote social change.
WHAT IS DV DV is a complex concept, she said. It isn’t a matter of anger management. It’s a pattern of behavior that one person uses to gain power and control over the other.
It can result in injury, harm, deprivation, or even death. It may involve physical or sexual assault, but it can also be emotional or psychological, including isolation from friends and family, emotional abuse, or financial control.
Awareness matters. Domestic violence awareness can help identify abuse if it happens to you or someone close to you. Awareness can provide information that can be life saving for victims and their families, such as hotlines, shelters, counseling, and legal aid.
Your YWCA support keeps these services available in our community and makes it possible to increase survivor awareness.
Numbers to know
One out of five high school students is being sexually and/or physically abused by a dating partner.
One million women and 371,000 men are being stalked right now.
More than three women are killed by their partners every day.
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 people will be served, hope will be shared, our community will be positively im- pacted, and the team at YWCA will be faithful stewards of gifts given.”
Banner Bank too went beyond a sponsorship, offering a financial literacy class for YWCA clients. Danni Schack, who works in mortgage loans and customer service at Banner, was one of the instructors. “I had personal experience as a single mom making it on my own, so this is near and dear to my heart.”
The class was excited to learn how credit scores work, said YWCA Outreach Coordinator Celia Guardado. “Low credit scores can limit your rental options and make it harder to buy a house or car.”
“Meeting these women made a big impact on me,” Danni said. “It moved me to help sponsor a family at Christmas, and I’ve just joined the 2024 YWCA board.”
When you see that a favorite organization supports YWCA Walla Walla, invite them to share why the mission matters to them. And let them know how much you appreciate their care for families who need a safe new start.
