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Women of Excellence
Nomination Form for Women of Excellence
We are now accepting nominations for the 2012 Women of Excellence Awards! Anyone can submit a nomination, and each woman and business nominated will be honored at the 2012 Women of Excellence Awards on June 21st at Civic Arena. Categories include Woman in the Workplace, Woman in Volunteerism, Woman in Support Services, Emerging Leader (woman under 40), and Employer of Excellence. You may nominate one woman or business in each category. Please click on our nomination form above for details and call us at 816.232.4481 or email efattig@ywcasj.org if you have questions.
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YWCA Pool Closed Evening of December 20th
Last night’s power outage in the downtown area has caused an issue with the auxiliary heater at the YWCA Aquatic Center. A repair person will not be able to be here until tomorrow, so we are closing this evening. The front desk will reopen at 8 AM tomorrow. Please call us at 232-9099 or watch our website, Facebook or Twitter feeds for news of when repairs are completed.
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“For every woman and child who needs us, we need you”
The YWCA has begun their 2011 Annual Giving Campaign. This year’s campaign theme is “For every woman and child who needs us, we need you”. The campaign also reminds donors that while many of the YWCA’s funding sources are decreasing due to the economy, domestic violence and the number of victims increase under those same economic conditions. In fact, the YWCA served a record-setting 680 women and children who were victims of domestic violence and/or homelessness in 2010.
The YWCA takes the unique approach of only sending out one simple fundraising letter each year, and not enclosing gifts such as personalized address labels. According to Melissa Ferguson, YWCA Public Relations Manager, “We want to use donations to help even more women and children rather than spend it on more mailings and labels. The feedback from our donors has been very positive – they want their donations to go directly to helping victims. However, it does increase our need to communicate to donors that they need to contribute now because we won’t be sending them another request.”
Donating to YWCA Victim Services also benefits donors through a 50% Missouri Tax Credit for domestic violence shelters. Donors who make gifts of $100 or more to the YWCA Shelter will receive a tax credit application from the YWCA. The donor fills out the application and returns it along with their cancelled check to the YWCA. The YWCA then submits the proof of donation to the State and the donor receives a tax voucher by mail in 4-6 weeks. The credit is exactly 50% of any donated amount over $100 and is subtracted directly from any income taxes owed to the State of Missouri. “This is a rare win-win for donors and the YWCA,” comments Ferguson. “People are surprised when they find out that the State basically gives back half of their donation at tax time.”
The YWCA also encourages donors to witness first-hand the difference their donations make. The YWCA offers tours by appointment and welcomes volunteers in several of their programs. This time of year, volunteers are always needed to help sort and wrap presents for the women and children who will spend the holidays at the YWCA Shelter. Those interested in volunteering can contact Dawn Berryman, Victim Services Volunteer Coordinator, at 816.232.4481.
The campaign raises funds for the agency’s Victim Services department which includes services such as:
· 24-hour a day, 7 days a week protective shelter for victims of domestic violence and homelessness.
· Toll-free, 24-hour crisis hotline for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.
· Rape crisis advocates, court advocates and licensed counselors, all at no cost to victims.
· Specialized counseling and programs for child victims.
- Transitional housing for women moving from our shelter to independent living.
In 2010, the YWCA served a record-setting 680 women and children. This included 302 abused women, 254 abused children, 76 homeless women, and 49 homeless children. In addition the YWCA provided 1,046 hours of therapy to 209 victims of domestic violence or rape. Also provided were 15,843 nights of shelter, 47,529 meals, and 3,336 hours of case management to help victims get back on their feet.
The campaign also outlines several achievements of the Victim Services department this year, including:
The YWCA Shelter for Abused and Homeless Women and Children has reached it’s 30th Anniversary. In those 30 years, over 10,000 local women and children have found a safe place to stay when they escape from violence and abuse.
· A long-needed goal was reached when Bliss Manor opened as the YWCA’s transitional housing facility. Our community now has a place where women and children can stay and receive support for up to two years while rebuilding their lives.
The YWCA saw many women and children reach amazing goals. One example is a woman who escaped domestic violence and is now working in the YWCA Shelter, guiding other women and their children toward a life free of violence and fear.
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October Swim Lessons
It’s not to late to enroll in October swim lessons. Call 232-9099 or email tfoutch@ywcasj.org to enroll. For more information on our lessons, please see the links on the right side.
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Free Lunch & Learn Events for Breast Cancer Prevention Month
Join Us For These Free Lunch & Learns In Honor Of Breast Cancer Prevention Month on Wednesday, October 12 “Breast cancer overview and findings for Buchanan County”, Wednesday, October 19 “Learning the links to breast cancer”, and Wednesday, October 26 “Proactive breast cancer prevention” Where: YWCA terrace room Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm RSVP: The day before each lunch by noon. A healthy lunchbox from Hyvee will be provided free! Make your reservation at 816-232-4481. This event sponsored by the Social Welfare Board of Buchanan County, Komen for the Cure Kansas City, YWCA EncorePlus program, and United Way.
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Need A Dorm/Bar Fridge?
Need a dorm or bar fridge? Buy one from us and support the YWCA at the same time!
Our new transitional housing, Bliss Manor, came with several brand new dorm/bar size refrigerators that we do not need. These are the larger size (not the little cube style) and measure 31” high, 21” deep, 20.5” wide. Cost is $100 each – a great price considering they are brand new! If you are interested, please contact Regina Shelton, Transitional Housing Manager, at rshelton@ywcasj.org or call 816.232.4481.
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month Activities
Lisa Regina Performance – Monday, October 17th 6:30 – 7:30 pm at the MWSU Spratt Auditorium
Lisa Regina is an actress, writer, acting coach, educator and survivor of domestic violence. An actress for more than 25 years, her television and film credits include “The Sopranos”, “Bronx Paradise”, “All My Children” and national commercial campaigns for Macy’s and Delta Air Miles.
Lisa now uses her talents as a performer to educate others, advocate against violence and shine the light on the real issues surrounding domestic violence. In her performance of “A Write to Heal™”, Lisa will use poems, monologues and music to tell the true stories of domestic violence victims. The event is free and open to the public
Take Back the Night – October 25th5:30 – 7:00 pm
- The YWCA will host the annual “Take Back the Night” event in conjunction with the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the YWCA Shelter for Abused and Homeless Women and Children.
- A reception will be held beginning at 5:30 and the program will begin at 6:00. Program highlights include the featured speaker, Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney, Dwight Scroggins, and the presentation of the 2nd annual Mary Jolly Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Victims of Violence.
- The event is free and open to the public.
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Pink Tea Luncheon
Don’t miss your chance to attend the YWCA Pink Tea Luncheon for Breast Cancer! It will take place on October 6th from 11:30 -1:00 in the YWCA Terrace Room. The cost is $15.00 per person. There will be great food and a fashion show! Call Erica at 232-4481 to make your reservation today! Proceeds help educate area women on breast cancer prevention.
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August Swim Lessons
The August swim lesson schedule has been posted and we are taking registration. Call 232-9099 to get registered.
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Welcome to our new site
We are in the process of building a new site to better address your needs. Please be patient as we transfer content from the old site. If you cannot find the information you need, please contact Erica at the main building at efattig@ywcasj.org or Tara in Aquatics at tfoutch@ywcasj.org. You can also call us at 232-4481, or 232-9099 for Aquatics.