Dear Friends:

We hope that this email on a cold, snowy February weekend finds you warm, safe, and well. We have LOTS of opportunities to learn, take action, and make a difference coming up! Please share these opportunities with others you think might be interested.

In this issue:

Thank you for your support!

Are you interested in a career in food? Apply today for YW Culinary, a free job training program for women. In 12 weeks, you will learn essential culinary and job readiness skills to prepare you for success in Chicagoland’s vibrant food service industry.

Sign-up for an orientation session.

Our Spring 2021 session (March 15 – June 4, 2021) will be entirely virtual. Sign up for orientation today!

Our next session of YWeb Career Academy is scheduled for April 5 – June 25, 2021!

YWeb Career Academy is an intensive training program, presented in partnership with Oakton Community College, that prepares women for success in the tech industry.

In 12 weeks, you’ll learn technical (web design, HTML, CSS, Javascript) and job readiness skills (project management, interview practice, resume writing). After you complete the program, we’ll help you find a web developer/designer job or seek additional education. Learn more…

YWeb is free and completely virtual. Women of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Start your new career in tech today! Sign-up for an upcoming orientation session on March 8, 9, or 11.

Our newly formed "Women in Tech Council" will help guide our YWeb program. The women on the council are passionate about increasing the representation of women of color in tech and helping women achieve family-sustaining employment, the goal of YWeb Career Academy.

The members of the YWCA Women in Tech Council and their respective companies include:

YWeb Career Academy is supported by a grant from Google.

Basic Money Management (open to all) will help strengthen your money management skills by developing tools to help with budgeting, credit and debt issues. Participants must commit to complete the entire course consisting of two modules over two evenings.

This online class is open to the public, but please register here to attend. Are you new to our platform Community Pass? Follow our easy guide to set-up an account.

Most parents (82%) feel confident they can spot the signs of abuse, but fewer than half (42%) can correctly identify all the direct signs. (Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. 2005)

Please join us for a free hour-long, discussion-based training covering:

Dates offered:

These virtual discussions will be facilitated by Hallie Cohen, YWCA violence prevention educator. Learn more and register here.

All of the following online classes are open to the public, but please register to attend. Are you new to our platform Community Pass? Follow our easy guide to set-up an account.

We’ve taken Let’s Talk @ Lunch, an informal discussion of current events through a racial equity lens, to Zoom!

Please grab some lunch, pull up a chair in your home, and join your virtual neighbors for a facilitated discussion. All are welcome! Free.

We’ll explore how an organization can become inclusive and understanding of a variety of cultures, races, abilities, and differences. Register here.

This workshop looks at how we have been socialized to play certain roles within the systems of oppression that are deeply rooted in American culture, and how we help maintain oppressive systems. Register here.

What are the characteristics of white supremacy culture and what do we do once we’ve recognized it? Understanding this makes it easier to talk about race and racism. Register here.

YWCA Evanston/North Shore's annual Stand Against Racism is April 21-23. As our nation continues to face the intersecting public health crises of COVID-19 and racial injustice, we invite you to join YWCAs and allied groups to focus events and organizing on the myriad racial justice issues that impact the health and safety of communities of color.

Learn more about the nationwide Stand Against Racism here, and stay tuned for details about how you can participate locally April 21-23.

Our sixth annual Equity Summit will be held virtually May 13-14, with the theme "Redistributing Power to Build Liberated Communities."

Last year, 450 people joined us from across the country. We hope you'll be one of them this year. Registration will open at the beginning of March. Please save the dates; more details to come soon!

To learn more about the Equity Summit and view videos from last year's event, visit our website at www.ywca-ens.org/equity-summit or email equityinstitute@ywca-ens.org.

We are inviting presenters for Equity Summit breakout sessions that will engage participants in meeting the goals above. Link to our 2021 Request for Proposals.

"The YWCA is such a welcoming, accepting place. The coaches are all so amazing and I have never felt out of place on the swim team. Everyone is just so nice and even during hard times, like now, we still manage to have fun. We all root and cheer for each other when we’re at meets, or just recording our fastest times. We play music and do fun games, like trivia questions. Being on the Flying Fish swim team is one of my favorite things in the whole world, and I am so lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of this community. That’s what I love about the Flying Fish."

-Izzy Paracuelles, 8th grader

YWCA Evanston/North Shore is an approved ICDVP training provider for the 40-hour domestic violence training, which provides a solid base of knowledge for anyone working with individuals affected by domestic violence. The training covers all ICDVP required topics using a trauma informed lens. Learn more here.

We have a number of job opportunities available! Learn more by clicking the links below:

YWCA Evanston/North Shore is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Thank you to all those who donated gift cards to our clients this holiday season. We collected nearly $10,000 in gift cards and were able to divide that between over 60 families. You made the season brighter for more families than ever.

Wondering how you can make a difference in 2021? Here are some ideas:

Our Domestic Violence Services are available free of charge to anyone who needs them.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 847-864-8780 or (toll free) 877-718-1868 anytime, day or night.

We're here for you.

Stay in touch! Tell us what you're interested in and we'll make sure you're among the first to know about classes, news, and opportunities. Sign up here.

YWCA Evanston/North Shore | Phone 847-864-8445 | ywca@ywca-ens.org | www.ywca-ens.org