As we close out 2021, two words that rarely go together come to mind – exhaustion and exhilaration.
Nearly two years of a pandemic will exhaust even the hardiest of souls, not to mention decades of excluding and marginalizing communities of color, especially women of color. Yet, there is an exhilaration that flows from refusing to allow exhaustion to define the future, exhilaration rooted in resolve and faith in the unstoppable power of our collective efforts.
On the eve of another year, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin and all of our stakeholders have reason to be exhilarated – reason to believe that, although the road to a more just and inclusive region is winding and has many potholes, we will move forward because we have committed to this #JusticeJourney together.
This newsletter shares stories of what collective commitment has accomplished in 2021 and how this past year has set the stage for deeper, sustainable impact in 2022 and beyond – how 2021 has been about preparing to #FueltheFuture. Even as we are genuinely mindful of the burdens our current times impose – on our program participants and neighbors, on our staff, Board and volunteers, on all of us as a community – we are poised to continue the work of our #OneMission: eliminating racism and empowering women.
As featured below, 2022 will include significant program expansion in all areas of our work. And, as announced last week, in January we will welcome our new President and CEO. Serving YWCA SEW during these two turbulent years has been humbling and eye-opening, providing deep lessons to apply as I return to the role of YWCA SEW’s Chief Development Officer. Deep lessons for all of us on a #JusticeJourney.
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Education & Training Meets Collective Impact |
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Three Year Workforce Innovation Grant Supports Key Collaboration to Increase Access to YWCA SEW’s Work Ready HSED Program
YWCA SEW works in partnership with many, but a special collaboration just received word of a $5.6 million award to support a new 3-year initiative. The Wisconsin Talent Optimization Project is anchored by Gateway Technical College and also includes participation by What Works Cities and the Southeast Workforce Development Board (SEWDB). With funding from Wisconsin’s Workforce Innovation Grant Program, this initiative includes $1.37 million for YWCA SEW to fund the provision of a four-week HSED-preparation experience followed by a 16-week work ready HSED program. Education as an economic empowerment tool is central to YWCA SEW’s #OneMission to eliminate the barriers caused by racism and sexism. Focused on Kenosha, Racine and Walworth Counties, the program will intentionally connect YWCA SEW program participants to further education through Gateway and access to employers through SEWDB.
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New Just Employment Bridge Initiative Receives Greater Milwaukee Foundation Grant
YWCA SEW’s approach to workforce development has long recognized that programs focusing only on employees, while overlooking the needs of employers, have serious barriers to success. Countless employers, large and small, seek to establish and maintain genuine workforce inclusion and equity but struggle to do so. Understanding the impact of our long-standing racial justice coaching and consulting services and its role in creating a bridge between employees and employers, YWCA SEW reached out to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to propose a new way to think about workforce development. After all, people don’t just want to be employed – they want just employment; they want to be welcomed and intentionally included at an equitable organization. Initial funding for the Just Employment Bridge was approved as 2021 wrapped up, so look for periodic updates as this initiative develops.
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The week of December 13, 2021 marked the launch of new possibilities for 50+ new graduates of YWCA SEW’s High School Equivalency Diploma program. Posing with family, friends and classmates, these new graduates enjoyed a COVID-respectful graduation celebration hosted by YWCA SEW staff and program partners, including Gateway Technical College. Our Adult Ed program, offered virtually, will expand dramatically in 2022.
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Now Open: Racial Justice Class Registration for 2022
Recognizing that 2021 witnessed multiple waiting lists for Racial Justice community-facing classes, YWCA SEW has announced that 2022 registration for both Conversations on Race and Unlearning Racism: Tools for Action© is now open.
Conversations will start January 20th and conclude February 24th. ULR:TFA, a deeper dive into the history and manifestations of racism, will start February 2nd and wrap up March 16th.
Class experience is valuable to all who seek to recognize systems of racism and develop the skills to engage in constructive dialogue and action. Class fees are on a sliding scale.
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17th An Evening to Promote Racial Justice Emphasizes Our #OneMission and Launches #JusticeJourney Initiative
On December 9th, YWCA SEW hosted its first in-person event since December 2019. With 350+ in attendance at Discovery World and another 50+ attending by simulcast, the annual An Evening to Promote Racial Justice featured an interactive (yet COVID-respectful) reception with six SE Wisconsin women artists of color who shared work that reflected YWCA SEW’s #OneMission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
After the reception, stakeholders enjoyed the talents of spoken word artist Lilo Allen and vocalist B-Free, who performed her original work, Everything (I Am Woman) as specially commissioned for YWCA SEW. Keynote speaker, Dr. Sarah Lewis had the audience on its feet as she explored the power of art to shape the social justice narrative.
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With support from generous donations by Board members Jomarie Coloriano, Lindsey Davis,
Raven Eggson-Washington, Bobby Griffin III,
Gary Hollander, Danielle Johnson, Laura Lindner,
Erin Loofboro, Steve Stall, Tiffany Strong Salaam, Tammi Summers and Dr. Alonzo Walker, the event also featured the debut of a special video invitation for all to join YWCA SEW on a #JusticeJourney.
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Thank You Molson Coors and Rockwell Automation |
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Our mission comes to life because of multi-faceted financial support and this is a special shout out to two key supporters: Molson Coors and Rockwell Automation. These well-known corporate citizens are among YWCA SEW’s most generous philanthropic supporters of our integrated racial justice mission, which addresses system change and informs all of our direct service work. They also chose to support the 17th annual An Evening to Promote Racial Justice as Presenting Sponsors. Their investment in our annual capstone of racial justice programming allowed us to provide a COVID-respectful environment and assured simulcasting for those guests who could not join us in person. That’s inclusion and we are grateful.
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Why should you support YWCA SEW’s one mission to eliminate racism and empower women? Because the work we did this year and will expand on next year are the building blocks for a shared vision of a thriving, inclusive and just southeast Wisconsin defined by racial and gender equity.
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Thank you for continuing to support YWCA's mission! |
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