BOARD Members President Becky Kettner (above, left) and Vice President Jill Juers (right) joined Executive Director Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin for Capitol Hill Day, part of the YWCA national conference.
A key concern was secure funding for crime victim services, something YWCA supporters like you lobbied for all year, especially at the state level.
And your efforts paid off!
Our lawmakers in Olympia increased ongoing annual domestic violence support to $10 million. In addition, one-time $20 million funding for crime victims was allocated to help preserve services while the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) gap is addressed at the federal level.
Jill was in awe of the energy of the attendees. “The enthusiasm for and passion about the YWCA’s mission was incredible to be a part of.”
Meeting women from YWCAs all over the nation and having the opportunity to influence lawmakers was, she said, “an advocacy experience unlike any other.”