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2023 has been a remarkable year! Remarkable in both the number of individuals who received our services or were positively affected by our work, and in the ongoing support we received from our friends.
To see a recap of some of the remarkable work we have done, please click on the link below in the Year in Review section. As for our friends, first we honor the memory of Rikki Goldstein, who founded the Goldstein Family Scholarship program. Also, we want to recognize the Waterfield/Chapman family for uniting to honor the legacy of Anne K. "Kennie" Waterfield with a significant gift to our capital campaign. Read more about the significant legacies of these two remarkable women below. We also are very grateful to our many friends who contributed to Holiday Hugs. Holiday Hugs is the annual holiday party for residential clients and provides a time of celebration in the midst of the challenges families staying at YWCA are experiencing. The kiddos love visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus (and to be honest, I think their parents do too!).
Thank you to Lincoln Financial's Women's Committee, Purdue Fort Wayne's Music Therapy team, Out of a Jam Ministries, Harris Boat Group, Franklin Electric, Embassy Theater, the Fraternal Order of Police, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, for your very generous support to ensure our Holiday Hugs was a memorable and happy time for all of our residents.
We also want to thank Shawnee Construction, Maumee River Roofing, and ABC Supply Company for their generosity! They donated labor and materials to replace a portion of the roof on The Hefner Center that was crumbling. See pics of their generous donation below!
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We also want to let you know that The Lutheran Foundation is accepting Health Professions and Nursing Scholarship Applications. This is a broad category that encompasses undergraduate and graduate students in nursing, counseling, physical therapy, mental health, dental and medical programs, and more. | |
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Thank you to all of our friends for your unwavering support! We appreciate all your gifts, not only at this time of the year, but throughout all the year. We simply could NOT do what we do without you! We are beyond grateful!
Happy Holidays to all of you. Be safe, and have a joyous new year!
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In loving memory of Rikki Goldstein; Rikki's personal passion for serving and elevating women was an inspiration. She founded the Goldstein Family Scholarship Program with YWCA Northeast Indiana to directly impact women in need. The scholarship fund provides financial support for tuition, books, rent, utilities, and childcare for survivors of domestic violence to pursue higher education. | |
We are so immensely grateful for the time we got to know Rikki and for the generosity she has shown through the scholarship program. The legacy Rikki left behind will be celebrated in each survivor who fulfills their dream of higher education. | |
YWCA Northeast Indiana accomplished a lot in 2023! Find a recap of our year here. We can only do what we do because of you. We can't wait for 2024! | |
Holiday Hugs Volunteers and Donors | |
YWCA is so grateful to have so much help this year in making the holidays an extra special time for those utilizing our services. | |
Holiday Hugs is YWCA Northeast Indiana's annual holiday party for our residents. Leading up to the party, the Fraternal Order of Police had their “Kops 4 Kids” event (pictured right). 11 families from our Bonnie's House and Hope & Harriet programs got to go holiday shopping with these police officers. | |
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Santa and Mrs. Claus traveled all the way from the North Pole to pose for pictures with all of the children and families staying at YWCA. PFW Music Therapy students (pictured) sang carols while our residents enjoyed a delicious meal donated by Lincoln Financial’s Women’s Committee, which included cookies donated by Out of a Jam for dessert. | |
All of the children received a board game and other goodies from Santa and Mrs. Claus, which were donated and wrapped by Lincoln Financial’s Women’s Committee (pictured below). They also took time from their busy days to deck the halls at YWCA with seasonal decor and holiday cards filled with encouragement. | |
The decorations were topped off with a tree from the Festival of Trees donated by the Embassy Theater. And, the children were not the only ones who received gifts at the party! Thanks to Betsy Kachmar and friends and Franklin Electric’s generous donation drive, each adult received fuzzy socks and a throw blanket to stay warm and cozy in these colder months. | |
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Harris Boat Group (pictured above) also kindly donated items to make sure those leaving the shelter soon will be set up for success with all of the necessary items to start their next chapter! The German Heritage Society also coordinated a donation drive for one of our community-based families, helping furnish the children's bedrooms at their new home. We are so thankful for everyone who helped make the holidays special. We truly could not pull off this party every year without a dedicated group of volunteers and donors! | |
Anne Kendrick "Kennie" Waterfield was a long-time supporter and volunteer for YWCA Northeast Indiana. In honor of her support of YWCA, the Waterfield family is honoring her memory with a significant contribution to YWCA Northeast Indiana’s capital campaign. | | |
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YWCA is in the final phase of their $16.7 million campaign, raising dollars to offset the $3.2 million purchase of the former Don Hall’s Guesthouse, located at 1313 W. Washington Center Road and the needed renovations. This new home will position YWCA to better meet the increasing community need for domestic and sexual violence services, residential addiction recovery services for women, racial justice trainings, and much more. YWCA hopes to have renovations completed before summer in 2024. | |
"We are grateful to be supported by the Waterfield/Chapman Family and to be the recipient of a gathering of family donations to honor Anne Waterfield’s legacy in Fort Wayne. YWCA Northeast Indiana is recognized for its role in empowering women in our community, and recognizing the matriarch of this family is a perfect match of values,” stated YWCA CEO Paula Hughes-Schuh. | |
Changing the World, One Message at a Time. | |
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We are excited to begin providing our Don't Say / Do Say posts in Spanish to help reach a wider audience. Thank you to our volunteers who have translated and made this possible!
La justicia racial es un tema que requiere nuestra atención constante. En el transcurso de la vida, se nos presentan ocasiones para educar a los demás. La justicia racial es un tema que requiere nuestra constante atención. Pongamos esta situación, estás con un compañero de trabajo y están hablando sobre el racismo. ¿Cuál sería tu opinión?
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YWCA Northeast Indiana's 24/7 Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Line is free and confidential: 800.441.4073
To see all of our Don't Say/Do Say messages, please visit our website.
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"The Scoop" will keep you up to date on the latest happenings as we renovate our new building. After construction, the former Hall’s Guesthouse Hotel at 1313 W. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana will become YWCA’s new home: The Hefner Center. Stay tuned for updates! | |
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During recent renovations of our future home, Shawnee Construction discovered an aged and crumbling section of the roof in the courtyard of the building that was in need of replacing. This unexpected expense was not included in our budget. In response, Shawnee donated their portion of the roof, and teamed up with Maumee River Roofing to donate labor and materials to get the job done.
Matt Schenkel, President of Shawnee Construction says "With everything YWCA does to help the community, we felt an obligation to help them succeed in their mission. Maumee Roofing was extremely generous to quickly respond to our call for help. Between the two companies, the roof will be replaced, and the project can continue without additional expense to YWCA. We are honored to be part of this project and help with such a worthy cause.”
Megan Ranney, Chief of Staff with Maumee River Roofing says, “We have chosen to help YWCA with their roofing needs because of all that they do for our community. At Maumee River Roofing, we are about making an impact and we want to partner with other organizations who are making an impact in our community as well. Without the community of northeast Indiana, we truly would not be able to do what we do or serve our community. We are honored to be chosen as YWCA's roofing partner in helping make a difference and providing the essential needs of the new YWCA facility on Washington Center Road. We want to thank our local ABC Supply, Inc. branch for partnering with us to provide the roofing materials needed for this project.”
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Thank you to Shawnee Construction, Maumee River Roofing, and ABC Supply for donating labor and materials to replace a portion of the roof at our future home! We are beyond grateful for your support of the work we do in our community.
Pictured: Matt Schenkel (President, Shawnee Construction), Paula Hughes-Schuh (CEO, YWCA Northeast Indiana), Scott Kleinknight (Senior Project Manager, Shawnee Construction), and Sam Schwartz (Owner, Maumee River Roofing).
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"I am more than my yesterday" is a phrase that resonates deeply with the mission of YWCA. It encapsulates the belief that each person has the power to overcome challenges and shape a brighter tomorrow. At YWCA, we are committed to providing support, resources, and opportunities to help individuals realize their full potential. | |
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Your support makes a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. Whether it's providing a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence, offering educational programs to the community, or advocating for social justice, YWCA is dedicated to fostering a community where everyone can thrive.
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As you make decisions for your year-end philanthropic investments, we invite you to join us in making a difference. Your donation will contribute to programs and initiatives that empower individuals to break free from the constraints of their past and build a future filled with promise and opportunity.
To donate, click here. You can also mail your gift to 5920 Decatur Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46816. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to creating a community where everyone can say, "I am more than my yesterday."
Thank you for being a beacon of hope in the lives of those we serve. Happy holidays and a joyous new year!
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We are collecting in-kind $25 gift cards and fun passes for those who are staying at YWCA. These gifts could provide groceries to those who are exiting the shelter, gas to help our moms take their children to school, or a fun experience that offers a break from stress. Gift cards or tickets could bring joy and relief to those who really need it. If you want to do a gift card donation drive, download this flyer. Email Kristina at knussbaum@ywcaerew.org with any questions.
If you would like to financially support YWCA Northeast Indiana, you can access our donation page by following the link below:
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