October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Despite it's prevalence, domestic violence is not a topic many people understand or know how to respond to when it happens to someone they know.

If you know someone who is experiencing domestic violence, it is important to approach the situation with care. You should avoid pressuring your friend to leave the relationship as it may make them less likely to confide in you if the abuse worsens. The best way to help a survivor is to be calm, supportive, and inform them of housing, counseling, and legal resources.

Please help support survivors we work with by making a donation to Every 9 Seconds: YWCA Campaign to End Domestic Violence today. Every gift will be matched by an anonymous donor.

Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate the completion of our campus last week!

Our new shelter, like our old shelter, is named "Mary Lou's Place," after long-time YWCA employee Mary Louise Sain (right, with YWCA CEO Karen Singer).

Mary Lou worked at what was then called YWCA’s “Shelter for Battered Women” from 1979-2006. She came to the YWCA after retiring from her job at First National Bank, which followed her tenure at a box factory—she worked each of those jobs for 13 years. She took the bus to work and rarely, if ever, took a day off.

While working at YWCA, she did the laundry, changed the beds and cleaned the rooms at the shelter. And, without fail, she made her famous red velvet cake for every staff party and birthday celebration in the shelter. For 27 years, she worked tirelessly to create a warm, clean, welcoming space for those seeking refuge from domestic abuse. In recognition of Mary Lou’s dedication to our organization and the women we serve, the shelter was renamed Mary Lou’s Place upon her retirement in 2006.

In order to protect the health and safety of our communities, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the YWomen Celebration originally scheduled for October 23. We are tentatively planning for a celebration in Spring 2022.

More details to come shortly!

YWCA Economic Advancement Program

Come learn about YWeb Career Academy, a FREE PROGRAM designed to help women of color enter the tech field as web developers (all times are Central):

YWeb Career Academy is a FREE 4-month course which covers intensive technical training in the foundations of web development (Design, HTML, CSS, Javascript). Students also receive soft skills training, including situational workplace judgment, active listening, communication skills, and problem-solving.

The program is specifically designed to provide a free education in digital skills to traditionally underrepresented or vulnerable populations, such as women of color, survivors of domestic violence, and low-wage workers. Learn more here.

Register today for our free Basic Money Management class, which will help strengthen your money management skills with tools to help with budgeting, credit and debt issues. Participants must commit to complete the entire course consisting of two modules on two consecutive days.

This online course (held virtually on Zoom) is free, but you must register to attend.

New to our registration platform? Follow our guide to set up an account in English, en Español.

The Equity Institute has created a 21-Day Anti-Racism Challenge, something we hope will support congregations throughout the area in continuing your racial and social justice ministries. Last spring, you may have participated in the 21-Day Stand Against Racism Challenge. We modified that tool specifically for faith-based settings. Participation in this challenge will help people:

October 14, 2-4 pm: Understanding Power and Privilege

October 19, 6-8 pm: Understanding Power and Privilege for Board Members

October 21, 2-4 pm: Microaggressions

October 28, 2-4 pm: Developing Cultural Humility

November 2, 10 am-12 pm: What is White Supremacy Culture?

November 9, 10 am-12 pm: Socialization of Oppression: Breaking the Cycle

November 16,10 am-12 pm Advocacy in Action

November 30, 6-8 pm: Advocacy in Action

All workshops are currently virtual and the cost per workshop is $100. Take advantage of our "two for the price of one" promotion now!

To register, please go to Community Pass. New to Community Pass? Learn about creating an account here.

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

Training will take place (on Zoom) October 18-29, 2021 from 9 am – 2 pm (Central), Monday through Friday, with an hour long lunch break from 12 -1 pm.

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

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