Dear Friends,
We have exciting news to share -- we're embarking on a campus expansion project so we can do more and be more for our communities!

Over the last ten years, YWCA Evanston/North Shore has experienced tremendous growth. We have launched or expanded 14 impact areas to further our mission to eliminate racism and empower women, and our staff has grown by 70 percent. 

We are now building on this positive trajectory by expanding and improving our physical space. We are thrilled to share with you that we will break ground next spring on a new building and also upgrade existing facilities. This will position us to do more and be more for the communities we serve. 

By 2021, our renovated campus will include:
  • a new Family Support Center and expanded shelter for victims of domestic abuse;
  • a new Economic Advancement Center to help more women gain the knowledge and tools they need to become financially stable;
  • an expanded Equity Institute to grow our work in promoting racial and gender equity; and 
  • an upgraded Aquatics Facility to preserve the quality and extend the excellence of our historic swim program. 

The need for YWCA has never been greater and we work hard every day to meet that need. Thank you for supporting us and working alongside us as we move boldly into the future.

Karen Singer
President/CEO
We're partnering with Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse to sustainably "deconstruct"
As a first step in our campus expansion plan, we’ve partnered with the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse, a local non-profit, for environmentally conscious deconstruction.

The old house on our property will be carefully dismantled so building components can be reused, repurposed and recycled. The deconstruction will also serve as a workforce training program for men and women learning to become skilled members of building trades.

Learn more here.
In other news...
Illinois State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (left, with YWCA CEO Karen Singer), who has personal experience with domestic violence and gun violence, was the opening speaker.
Yesterday, YWCA Evanston/North Shore hosted its fourth annual domestic violence conference in partnership with Oakton Community College. Over 120 people attended the day-long training.

Three key takeaways from April Zeoli, expert on the intersection of intimate partner violence and gun violence, who spoke at the conference:

  1. We know some effective interventions and how to make them better -- we need to implement firearms restrictions for abusers, which are already in place in Illinois, comprehensively.
  2. Intimate partner violence alone is quite serious, intimate partner violence with guns has greater risk of being lethal. Even when a gun isn’t directly used in violence, the threat is always there. She knows it’s there.
  3. Research does not suggest that if someone doesn’t have access to gun, he’s still going to commit a homicide. We see reductions in total intimate partner homicide when an abuser doesn't have access to a gun.
What can we do about the issue?
YWomen draws 400 and raises $250,000
Thank you to all of you who joined us on November 9 for our YWomen celebration honoring Cindy Hartwig, Sekile M. Nzinga, and Alpana Singh. Read more about the event here.

Pictured at right: Sekile M. Nzinga speaks to the crowd after receiving her award while Cindy Hartwig, Karen Singer, and Cindy Rawlings look on.
What shaped our YWomen honorees into the courageous leaders they are today? Watch the video below by filmmaker Susan Hope Engel -- it's inspiring!
Welcome LeAnn Jenkins!
We are pleased to welcome LeAnn Jenkins, who joined YWCA Evanston/North Shore on October 16 as our new Equity Institute coordinator.

“On my first day of work here, I was already out in the community interacting with people. I was really impressed because a lot of people told me that the YWCA is the gold standard for so many things. I’m really happy to be part of a team that can build on this deep respect and trust within the community and help them do the work.”

Read more here.
Flying Fish Aquatics isn’t just for kids
Tricia, quoted here, learned to swim through adult programs at the Flying Fish, and now swims regularly in the masters program.

What would you like to learn to do?

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a chlorinated aquanaut, we have swimming opportunities that meet your needs:


Learn more here.
Your gift makes our work possible!
Over half of our revenue comes from private giving—from individuals just like you who want to make a difference. That’s why your support is critical to continuing comprehensive YWCA programs and services.    

Your gift makes our communities thrive! You can make a one-time gift in any amount, or simplify your giving and become a monthly donor for just $10 a month.

You can also make a bequest gift and leave a legacy for future generations. Click here to learn more .

You can make a difference today! 
Thank you!
We love our Corporate Partners!
YWCA Evanston/North Shore | Phone 847-864-8445 | ywca@ywca-ens.org | www.ywca-ens.org