YWCA GLENDALE & YWCA PASADENA-FOOTHILL VALLEY TEAM UP TO OFFER AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR GIRLS

This school year, YWCA Glendale and YWCA Pasadena will offer a new, once a week after school program for girls ages 12-15. The Girls Circle model is a structured support group for girls and youth who identify with female development, and integrates relational theory, resiliency practices, and skills training in a specific format designed to increase positive connection and personal and collective strengths in girls. Glendale Girls Circle will be held on Tuesdays at 3:30PM-5:30PM and Pasadena Girls Circle will be held on Thursdays at 3:30-5:30PM for the first school semester, with sessions beginning on September 8th and 10th.

In partnership with YWCA Pasadena, we will also jointly implement quarterly TechGYRLS® programming to empower young girls in the areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) and to encourage them to pursue careers within these fields. The YWCA TechGYRLS® is a national program created by YWCA USA in 1997, developed in response to the widening gender gap in exposure to an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Currently, women make up only 24% of California’s STEM workforce. Our TechGYRLS® activities: coding camps, STEAM career presentations, and robotics workshops work to inspire girls to take on challenges and pursue STEAM interests and careers to lessen the gap and bring an empowered female presence to the STEAM workforce.

These free programs can be offered in partnering schools and on-site at the YWCAs. During COVID-19, Girls Circle and TechGYRLS® programs will be offered virtually. 
We are over the moon to welcome YWCA Pasadena Board Vice President and JPL Engineer, Janelle Wellons into a new role: Official STEAM Program Advisor for YWCA Glendale and YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley. Janelle has been instrumental in both organizations' growing work in engaging young girls, and specifically, young girls of color in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

Janelle Wellons graduated from the Massachusetts Institute Technology with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and now works at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. At JPL, Janelle works as an instrument operations engineer on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the earth-observing Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA), and previously on the Saturnian Cassini mission. Her job consists of creating the commands for and monitoring the health and safety of a variety of instruments. She also works in development, specifically for the ground data system and instrument operations concepts. When she isn’t working you can find her scuba diving, playing video games, reading, enjoying the outdoors, and doing outreach work. www.janellewellons.com

Please join us in welcoming Janelle!
THERE ARE JUST A FEW SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR OUR NEXT 40 HOUR DV COUNSELOR ADVOCATE TRAINING!
TALKS WITH TARA
With the shift to virtual meetings and gatherings, our CEO, Tara Peterson has never been busier! If you'd like to schedule a presentation on domestic violence, girls empowerment, or racial justice, please reach out to: celestemeza@glendaleywca.org or 818.242.4155 ext. 217. Tara would love to be a part of your next event or membership meeting!

JULY/AUGUST TALKS WITH TARA:
7/6 Virtual Chat Supporting GUSD Schools with Dr. Vivian Ekchian
7/7 Coffee Conversation with Arlene Vidor - Diversity and Racial Equity in Arts
7/9 Virtual Meeting - City of Glendale Racial Equity Report with City Manager Yasmin Beers & Chief Polvilitis
7/10 Virtual Chat with AGBU - Supporting Youth in Fall 2020
7/14 Virtual Chat with David Fields, Campbell Center Executive Director 
7/15 Virtual Guest Speaker Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Union Station Homeless Services Diversity Network Launch 
7/20  Virtual Guest Speaker Consumer Insights into Reducing Inequality - Cal Poly Pomona, Department of International Business & Marketing
7/23 Coffee Conversation with Lt. Tigran - COVID 19 and DV
7/29 Virtual Chat with Janelle Wellons, JPL - Empowering Girls through STEAM
7/30 Virtual Meet and Greet with Jennie Quinonez-Skinner, President of Glendale Latino Association 
7/30 Virtual Meet and Greet with Armenians Against Racism and Glendale March for Black Lives Organizers 
7/31 Virtual Chat with Jill Welton, CEO Dignity Health & Rev. Cassie McCarty 
7/31 Virtual Facilitated Conversation with Coalition for an Antiracist Glendale Virtual Debrief on City of Glendale’s panel on Racism 
8/3 Virtual Chat with Casey Gwinn, Esq., President Alliance for HOPE International
8/4 Virtual Meet and Greet Ani Nazaryan Law Student and Women’s Rights Advocate
8/5 Virtual Meet and Greet with Glendale Community College Black Student Union

UPCOMING TALKS WITH TARA:
8/11 Coffee Meeting with Lieutenant Alex Krikorian - Community Impact Bureau 
8/11 Virtual Chat with Father Vazken Movsesian - In His Shoes 
8/12 Meet and Greet at Glendale Police Station with Sergeant Ernesto Gaxiola
August TBD - YWCA Lexington Campus Tour with Glendale Historical Society 
August TBD - Meet and Greet with NAACP Pasadena 
735 East Lexington Drive
Glendale, CA 91206
Phone: 1-(818) 242-4155
Support YWCA Glendale's mission to eliminate racism and empower women