August 2026 Newsletter | YWCAJamestown.com

This summer, YWCA Jamestown launched EmpowerU, a new youth leadership program designed to help young people build confidence, develop leadership skills, explore their futures, and discover the power of their own voices.

Throughout the summer, participants took part in hands-on activities focused on leadership, mental wellness, financial literacy, career exploration, communication, teamwork, goal-setting, and personal development. EmpowerU recognized that preparing young people for their future means supporting the whole person—including their emotional well-being.

Participants had opportunities to talk openly about mental health, managing stress, building healthy relationships, recognizing emotions, developing healthy coping strategies, and knowing when and how to ask for help. These conversations helped create an environment where youth could feel comfortable being themselves, supporting one another, and understanding that taking care of their mental health is an important part of taking care of their overall well-being.



A highlight of the summer was the participants’ Community Action Project, which gave youth the opportunity to identify an issue they cared about, work together to develop ideas, and take action to create a positive impact in their community. Through this experience, they practiced communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership while seeing firsthand that their voices and ideas matter.

Our youth staff played an important role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment where participants could learn, grow, have fun, and feel heard. We are incredibly proud of everything our first EmpowerU cohort accomplished this summer.

YWCA Jamestown recently completed the YWCA USA Healthy Associations Questionnaire and received a score of 80 out of 100, placing us in the “Healthy” category! YWCA USA’s feedback recognized that we have “built a solid infrastructure across all three core areas of the Healthy Associations initiative.”

These results reflect the hard work of our staff and Board to build a strong, sustainable organization. We are especially proud of the recognition of our financial health, governance practices, and leadership structure. We are incredibly proud of what the YWCA Jamestown team has accomplished and grateful to everyone who has helped us get here from our staff, Board, volunteers, donors, partners, and community to our families and clients that trust us to work along side them. 



Strong. And still growing. Thank you for believing in the YWCA Jamestown and the work we do every day to empower women, eliminate racism, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

A Night to Celebrate

On Friday, August 1st we gathered to celebrate five phenomenal women who work to make Chautauqua County an incredible place to live. We were thrilled to celebrate Leishya Rios Pérez, Rising Star; Makayla Santiago-Froebel, Power the Future; Briana Postle, Catalyst for Change; Crystal Surdyk, Shattered Ceiling; and Diana Scott, Dorothy Height Legacy at our annual Women of Achievement event.

We are grateful for M&T Bank, this year's official Title Sponsor of YWCA Women of Achievement event. Our YWCA mission is dedicated to empowering women, eliminating racism, and strengthening our community, and that is why we couldn’t ask for a better partner. M&T Bank has a long, proud history of stepping up for local neighborhoods, supporting small businesses, and investing in leaders who drive meaningful change.

Linnea Onuffer

Early Childhood Education Department

Linnea joined YWCA Jamestown on April 8, 2025, and currently works as a Teacher Assistant in our Toddler classroom. She is a hardworking and dependable member of our ECE team who is always willing to help where needed and go the extra mile for our children, families, and her coworkers.

When asked about her “Y,” Linnea shared that she enjoys working at the Y because the children make each day worth it. She also values being part of a great group of staff who are always willing to help one another. She loves working in Early Childhood Education because of the smiles, laughter, and joy the children bring each day.



Linnea recently completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) coursework and is preparing for the remaining steps in the credentialing process. Her goal is to continue growing professionally, move beyond her current assistant role, and eventually have a classroom of her own. "I am really proud of the initiative she has taken toward that goal," says Nikki Gullotti, ECE Director.

Outside of work, Linnea enjoys relaxing at home with her five dogs and spending time with her boyfriend and their children. And if you ask what makes her smile during the workday, her answer is simple: the kids singing, dancing, and, of course, bubble time!

Linnea is a kind and caring employee, and I think she is a wonderful example of someone continuing to learn and grow within our ECE program. We are lucky to have her as part of our team.

YWCA Jamestown is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.