YOU PUT THE SPRING IN OUR STEP!
Celebrating Our Work Together
YW Happenings
YWCA Bergen County
Quarterly Newsletter
In This Issue:
Letter from the CEO
Community Connection
Supporter Spotlight
Legacy Corner
Apr-Jun ’18 Showcase
In the News
Looking Ahead
Ways to Give
Letter from the CEO
Dear Friend,

Summer may be in full swing, but we wanted to check in with our donors, partners, sponsors, members, and program participants and reflect on the important work we’ve accomplished during the spring quarter

Civic engagement and access to political leadership for women of color were a key focus of our Stand Against Racism. Our daily work of raising awareness about sexual violence and supporting survivors was enriched by events throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as well as by our Time Is Now Action Coalition, which is actively taking steps to help end sexual harassment and assault in our workplaces and communities.

We celebrated extraordinary community leaders at our annual Gala, re-connected with our amazing Legacy Ladies, recognized healingSPACE volunteers, and expanded our leadership with five new members of our Board of Directors, including Erin Chung, Shonya Jordan, Erika Monell, Christina Tso Metz, and Amy Weiner.

We are so proud of the work we have done together, and all that we will continue to do. From our donors who believe deeply in equality and equal opportunity to our community partners committed to collaboration and service to our corporate sponsors who want to make the most meaningful impact in our communities, our supporters are key to improving the lives of the thousands of women, girls, and families we serve.

We hope you enjoy looking back at our accomplishments together from April through June 2018 in this quarterly newsletter.
Helen Archontou MSW, LSW
Chief Executive Officer
YWCA Bergen County

P.S.  Stay up-to-date on all of our programs and services.  Check out our  calendar of events  and follow us on on  Facebook,   Twitter,   Instagram , and  LinkedIn .  
Community Connection
We can always count on our friends at the Ridgewood Newcomers to support our efforts and initiatives for those in need. Recently, they presented us with a generous donation to benefit the important work of healingSPACE, including supporting survivors of sexual violence with our 24/7 crisis intervention hotline, professional counseling, and medical and legal assistance as well as educating the community on prevention. We are so very grateful for our partnership with the Newcomers and their commitment to helping women and families in our communities thrive.
YWCA Bergen County Walking the Talk Gala 2018: Our Time Is Now was a powerful celebration of extraordinary community leaders, including International Justice Project Co-founder Wanda Akin Brown; Rodan + Fields RFX Circle & Lexus Achiever Jennifer Boucher; Age-Friendly Englewood Coordinator and Bergen Volunteer Center CEO (1993-2015) Janet Sharma; Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy Co-founder Lauran Tuck; and Covenant House New Jersey Executive Director Jim White. We are so grateful to our amazing sponsors, advertisers, donors, and attendees for making this important event possible.
Learn more about corporate sponsorship by contacting Director of Development and Communications Lori Murray at 201-345-1888 or lmurray@ywcabergencounty.org .
L egacy Corner
Throughout the years, Pamela and Joseph Averso have been incredible champions and friends of YWCA Bergen County. The Aversos generously donate to our healingSPACE sexual violence resource center, provide scholarships to underserved families for swim instruction, and sponsor our healingSPACE volunteer appreciation dinner year after year. Pam also volunteers her time on the healingSPACE team as a Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate and is one of our esteemed Legacy Ladies. We are so grateful to Pam and Joe Averso for all that they do!
Learn more about legacy donations by contacting Director of Development and Communications Lori Murray at 201-345-1888 or lmurray@ywcabergencounty.org.
April to June 2018 Showcase
50 Shades of Politics: Black Women Breaking Ground - In this powerful forum, African American women leaders in New Jersey politics shared their knowledge of what it takes to be on the front lines.
Time Is Now Action Coalition Community Update with NJ First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy - After four February Town Halls to gather input from the community, our public update with NJ First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy shared next steps to help end sexual harassment and assault in our workplaces and communities.

Established with NJ Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and comprised of diverse government, business, labor, education, legal, and non-profit leaders .
2018 YWCA Bergen County Racial Justice Awards - In this signature racial justice event, we recognized four leaders who are eliminating racism, including Al Stawsky, Maryann Woods-Murphy, “We the People,” and Andre D. Perrin.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) - In addition to prevention presentations, film screenings, Traveling Clothesline Projects, and Denim Days across the area, featured SAAM events included Zonta's 21st annual R.A.V.E. Walk, "Express Your Voice" Enlightened Coffee House, and “Human Sex Trafficking: A Survivor's Story” with Shandra Woworuntu, a survivor of human trafficking and founder of Mentari whose mission is to empower survivors of trafficking.
Motherhood Uncensored - A practical and inspirational series of workshops with child care provided to support and guide women returning to the workforce after staying home to care for children or other loved ones.
Synchro Stars Swim Team Show - A showcase of the athleticism and artistic flair of our talented synchronized swim team who combine the skills of swimming, gymnastics, and dance in this team and confidence building sport.
Teens Talk About Racism - A leadership conference for youth who want to create strategies to understand and stand up to racism in their schools and communities.
Co-sponsored with: Office of Global Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson and Social Action Committee of Central Unitarian Church.
Legacy Ladies Luncheon - An annual gathering of our very special Legacy Ladies who unfailingly support our work of empowering women and eliminating racism in myriad ways.
healingSPACE Volunteer Appreciation Dinner - An annual celebration of our caring, committed volunteers who do the critically important work alongside our staff of helping survivors of sexual violence navigate their trauma.
Annual Meeting - An annual showcase of our hard work, commitment, vision, and creativity as we strive to improve the lives of women, girls, and families, and achieve equality for all people.
In the News
Time Is Now Coalition presents findings after series of...

With the collective power of the #MeToo movement behind them, women of New Jersey's Time is Now Action Coalition say they're ready to take the next step in offering solutions to eradicate the pervasive...


Opinion: Closing the gender pay gap in New Jersey

The wage gap between men and women exists for a variety of reasons. Our society devalues work done by women, there is a dearth of affordable child care, and we lack national family friendly workplace policies like paid family leave and paid...

Looking Ahead
Who will be the next YWCA Bergen County TWIN Honoree? Our 43rd TWIN Tribute to Women of INfluence takes place on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, 8am - 10am, Stony Hill Inn, Hackensack, NJ. This inspiring event recognizes women who are making significant contributions to their organizations and communities.
Visit  ywcabergencounty.org/twin-tribute-to-women-influence  for NOMINATION and SPONSORSHIP information, or contact Director of Development and Communications Lori Murray at 201-345-1888 or  lmurray@ywcabergencounty.org .
WEN on the GO!
We are very excited to announce WEN on the GO!, our new Women’s Empowerment Network quarterly corporate leadership series. Sponsored by leading area corporations committed to attracting, retaining, and developing talented women, WEN on the GO! brings one relevant, high-impact program each quarter to professional women in women’s networks, women’s leadership groups, and business resource groups across sponsoring organizations. Additionally, WEN on the GO! offers a small business track for woman-owned companies, entrepreneurs, independent consultants, and gig workers with ways to network, exchange ideas, and get actionable advice on growing their business. WEN on the GO! will kick off this fall, and fully launch in January 2019.
Interested in becoming a WEN on the GO! sponsor? Contact our Director of Development and Communications Lori Murray at 201-345-1888 or  lmurray@ywcabergencounty.org .
Ways to Give
Your donation helps strengthen and empower women, girls, and families in our communities.
Whether you are an individual, community group, or company, we welcome the gift of your time and talents.
Sponsor Camp or Swim Scholarship
Help children in need enjoy summer with scholarships for camp or swim lessons. 
To d iscuss how you can get involved, c ontact Director of Development and Communications Lori Murray at 201-345-1888 or lmurray@ywcabergencounty.org .
At YWCA Bergen County, our daily work is to empower women and girls with programs like Motherhood Uncensored , Empower U , Start Up , WEN is Now: Women’s Empowerment Network , and Walking the Talk Gala ; advocate for the equality of all people with programs like Racial Justice Awards ; support survivors and raise awareness about sexual violence through YWCA Bergen County healingSPACE ; and advocate for change with initiatives like our Time Is Now Action Coalition to address sexual harassment and assault.

Stay up-to-date by following YWCA Bergen County on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and LinkedIn , and find out ways to sponsor, donate, and volunteer.
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Information filed with the Attorney General concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received by the charity during the last reporting period that were Supporter Newsletter—Draft Copy 8 dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling 973-504-6215 and is available on the internet at http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement.

Copyright © 2018 by YWCA Bergen County. All rights reserved.

YWCA Bergen County
112 Oak Street
Ridgewood, NJ 07450