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I can hardly believe that summer is nearly over. And even though I am preparing to put away the summer clothing and bracing myself for colder days, I have to admit I am a bit excited about what lies ahead!
First of all, September is National Recovery Month, a time to raise awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders. The entire month is dedicated to promoting and supporting new evidence-based addiction treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery possible. It’s also a time to celebrate and support individuals who are in recovery. YWCA's Hope & Harriet program is a CARF-accredited, intensive residential treatment program in a sub-acute medical facility tailored to treat adult women living with substance use disorder. So far in 2023, Hope & Harriet has served 50 adults and 2 children. In 2022, the program served 94 adults and 6 children. Hope & Harriet is one of only six programs in Indiana that allow children to live with their mothers at the treatment center. Out of those six programs, Hope & Harriet allows the most children, accepts the widest age range of children (up to 12), and offers space to women and their children for the longest amount of time.
Did you know, there is a strong correlation between having a substance use disorder (SUD) and being at risk for homelessness? Indiana University’s Center for Health Policy released a study in 2016 that identifies housing as a primary barrier for many people with SUD. Many people with SUD are denied housing due to stigma or existing policies, which can easily lead to homelessness. Read more about our residential addiction program and our housing program in the program spotlight below.
During National Recovery Month, consider booking a member of our Education Team to provide your organization with our free Addiction and Recovery 101 training! During this training, our educator will take a deep dive into the particulars of substance abuse disorder by discussing the stages of addiction and change, examine the impact that language can have on those impacted by addiction, and understand tangible ways that we can support those who are dealing with substance use disorders. Reach out to our Education Coordinator, Ella Keen, to schedule your session today.
Looking ahead, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. At YWCA Northeast Indiana, this is a time to raise community awareness about this serious issue as well as encourage and support survivors. YWCA hosts several events and activities that the community can participate in. Keep reading to find out more, or visit our website.
Our 27th annual Circle event is scheduled for October 19th. Lydia M. Runge-Quinn shares why she is passionate about this event and asks you to consider joining her as a table host. If you cannot be a table host, but would like to attend, I would be happy to have you join my table.
Also, coming soon is our third event in our quarterly series, Coffee & Conversations. On September 27th, we will be hosting "Be a Forrest Gump: Refusing to Let Your Fears Stop You!" We will learn from Chynna Presley and Andie Hines-Lagemann. Register today to reserve your seat. Free admission! Venue and coffee is provided by ASH Brokerage.
In "The Scoop" section below, see the latest photos of our renovations at The Hefner Center, our soon-to-be new home. See what is left of the inside pool!
And, please help us celebrate alongside five of our staff members as they celebrate their work anniversaries this month! Congrats to Libby, Jessica, Alvina, Michelle, and LaShawnda. These rock stars are passionate about ensuring that our clients get the help they need!
We are beyond grateful for your support. We couldn't do what we do without you! If you are looking for additional ways to support us, please consider attending our Circle event, Flowers on the River, or our Coffee & Conversations event. Or, all of the above! We also are welcoming gifts from those wanting to participate in our capital campaign. For more information, visit our website.
Grab a pumpkin spice latte and your favorite sweater, and join us in welcoming the new season!
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Addiction Recovery Services and Housing Coordination | |
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Mental illness, substance use disorder, and homelessness are often connected. The National Health Care for the Homeless Council cites a study where 75% of people who had experienced homelessness and substance use disorder in the past year also experienced mental illness (2017). Experiencing past trauma is a risk factor for all three issues as well.
YWCA Northeast Indiana is a critical organization in northeast Indiana for addressing homelessness related to domestic violence. Many regions in Indiana participate in the annual Point In Time count, where on one day in January people who are homeless in Indiana are counted (sheltered and unsheltered). From the January 2023 Point In Time count, 120 homeless adults in Allen County were also experiencing substance use disorder.
In 2016, the Eviction Lab through Princeton University found that Fort Wayne ranks 13th in the nation for evictions. The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that, in Allen County Indiana, an individual working full time must earn $15.08/hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom rental at fair market rate without spending more than 30% of their income on rent, which is over double Indiana’s minimum wage ($7.25). The average renter wage in Indiana is $14.84, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that an Indiana renter would have to work 91 hours per week (2.3 jobs) at minimum wage to afford a 2-bedroom apartment at a Fair Market Rate (2021 Out of Reach report).
Even with rental assistance from local organizations and assistance from government programs, people with low income are faced with lack of affordable housing stock in northeast Indiana and difficulties finding landlords who will accept renters receiving help from government programs or local organizations (National Low Income Housing Coalition 2022).
YWCA Northeast Indiana’s Housing Services team works diligently to support clients in their efforts to find safe and affordable housing by connecting our clients to housing resources that best fit their needs. Emily, our housing advocate, shares that "Many individuals in a housing crisis may use alcohol or drugs as a means to cope with the trauma of housing instability. For Hope & Harriet program participants, YWCA Northeast Indiana offers support through the Housing First program. With low-barrier entry criteria and a focus on preventing client reentry to homelessness, this program truly puts Housing First when it comes to supporting recovery clients in their journey. Once an appropriate rental unit is found, rental assistance and supportive services can be provided to program participants as a means to reach stability and encourage self-sufficiency."
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Changing the World, One Message at a Time. | |
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We are excited to begin providing our Don't Say / Do Say posts in Spanish to help reach a wider audience. Thank you to our volunteers who have translated and made this possible!
La adicción, conocida clínicamente como trastorno por consumo de sustancias (TCS), se clasifica como una enfermedad. Como con cualquier enfermedad, la biología de nuestros cuerpos se ve afectada y alterada de manera negativa. La recuperación del TCS no es solo una cuestión de fuerza de voluntad. El consumo de drogas puede cambiar el cerebro y el usuario llega a sentir que necesita las drogas tanto como necesita oxígeno para sobrevivir.
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YWCA Northeast Indiana's 24/7 Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Line is free and confidential: 800.441.4073
To see all of our Don't Say/Do Say messages, please visit our website.
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Coffee & Conversations
Be a Forrest Gump: Refusing to Let Your Fears Stop ou!
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Coffee & Conversations is an opportunity for women in the community to discuss pertinent topics about how to be successful in the business sphere, public square, or in personal growth and development. YWCA Northeast Indiana invites women to come together in conversation for this free quarterly series. | |
In the movie Forrest Gump, the main character attempted all sorts of activities despite having an IQ of 75 (referenced in the movie). Quite possibly, his low IQ didn’t enable him to strategically think things through, but one could argue that is what has contributed to his success. He didn’t know what he didn’t know, and any fears of failure/success that someone with a strategic mind might consider didn’t weigh into Forrest’s decision making. He quite literally just moved forward. He also didn’t let negative feedback from others hinder what he wanted in life. Fear stops more people than any other barrier in life. Fear of failure? Fear of success? Learn what is REALLY stopping you. | |
Andie Hines-Lagemann is an Emotional Intelligence Practitioner at Tidewater Coaching and an advocate for women, entrepreneurs, and people with disabilities. She spends her free time wearing many different hats serving throughout the city. Andie earned her Bachelor's of Fine Art from the University of St. Francis, and completed her Master's of Positive Psychology through Indiana Wesleyan University. In her down time, Andie loves to cook, and she enjoys sharing this gift with her family and friends.
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Chynna Presley is a self-proclaimed multipotentialite, or more commonly described as a jack of all trades. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, a master’s degree in organizational leadership, and a life degree in hard experiences, Chynna has served the greater Fort Wayne community in a variety of roles over the course of the last 16 years. Today, she serves as an on-air radio personality for STAR 88.3, and a leadership development coach for her business Mezzo Management Solutions.
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Find more details about the event and learn more about about our guest speakers by visiting our website. | |
Join us as we launch Domestic Violence Awareness Month by honoring those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. Join us at the Wells Street Bridge from 6-7pm on Tuesday, October 3rd. | |
The FREE event will include a reading of the proclamation, poetry, music, and survivor stories. We will drop flowers in the river and share a moment of silence and unity in honor of each person whose life has been affected by domestic violence. | |
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Find more details about Flowers on the River and learn more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month by visiting our website. | |
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Join us as we chalk it up to raise awareness! Help us turn the sidewalk into a giant chalk billboard featuring drawings, facts, and quotes that bring awareness to domestic violence. The FREE event will take place at Pint & Slice (816 Calhoun Street) from 11am-2pm on Wednesday, October 11th.
Download our flyer to learn more.
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We invite you to come together as a community for this year’s Circle event, Seasons of Abuse. By bravely telling their stories, local survivors reflect on their past, letting others know that it’s possible to overcome the trauma of domestic violence and enter into a new season of empowerment. Alongside the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, our program will combine survivor stories and education to demonstrate different stages that might repeat or escalate in an abusive relationship. Domestic violence can affect anyone, at any time of their life. But we are all more than our yesterday, no matter what season we are in. | |
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Theme: Seasons of Abuse
When: Thursday, October 19th from 11:30am-1pm
Where: Ceruti's, 6601 Innovation Blvd.
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What is Persimmon Pride? Persimmon is the orange pantone color of our YWCA brand. Internally, #PersimmonPride is more than a hashtag or mantra. It is a belief in the impact the YWCA team is having in our community. It's more than a saying. It is who we are and what we believe in. | |
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"I enjoy working for YWCA because it truly makes me fulfilled to know that the work I am doing is contributing to a greater purpose and giving clients a 'leg up' that they may not have received otherwise."
-Libby (Operations Manager)
"I choose to work at YWCA because I have always had jobs helping others. I could no longer care for the elderly as a CNA due to the wear and tear on my body. I was deeply saddened when I had to quit. I became overwhelmed with joy when I was blessed to get this job."
-Jessica (Client Care Technician)
"I was hired in 2020 when Covid closed down the restaurant I worked at. The YWCA was chosen for me, my former supervisor told me about positions available at YWCA, so I took a chance. I never thought that a job could be inspiring and I could make a difference in the community. I love making a positive change to the residents at the shelter, and my new supervisor and co-workers are the best."
-Alvina (Client Care Technician)
"The main reason I chose to work at the YWCA was for the challenge of my current job. I am now at ten years working in for a non-profit and I continue to love the work we do more every year."
-Michelle (Project Coordinator)
"I choose to work at YWCA because I love helping others and watching others grow. Working at YWCA, I see that plus more. It's amazing seeing the ladies set goals, achieving them, and empowering each other to be the best version of themselves. I love working at YWCA Northeast Indiana!"
-LaShawnda (Client Care Technician)
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The passion from our staff, in addition to the unending support from our community, is what makes our work possible. Thank you to our staff and the northeast Indiana community for your support! | |
"The Scoop" will keep you up to date on the latest happenings as we renovate our new building. After construction, the former Hall’s Guesthouse Hotel at 1313 W. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana will become YWCA’s new home: The Hefner Center. Stay tuned for updates! | |
The indoor pool and jacuzzi have been filled in! Requiring 12 trucks and 96 tons of concrete, the process took 6 hours and occurred on the hottest day of the year. More stone and concrete will be added to create a level surface. Once complete, this space will include multiple offices and open space. | |
Gentrification in Fort Wayne | |
Gentrification has been defined as “a process in which a poor area (as of a city) experiences an influx of middle-class or wealthy people who renovate and rebuild homes and businesses, and which often results in an increase in property values and the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents.” | |
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Today’s patterns of gentrification have deep, systemic roots in racism and discrimination. Find the full blog on our website to learn about the history of gentrification in Fort Wayne and what can me be done about it.
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Find past posts from our "Are You an AllY?" blog series here. | |
Thank you, Lydia, for your long term involvement in our Circle event. We greatly appreciate how generous you are with your time, talent, and treasure. We are lucky to have you! | |
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"As we celebrate our 27th Circle Luncheon I have to think back to the very first Circle I attended. Little did my original Table Host know how personal it was for me when she invited me to sit at her table the 2nd year of Circle back in 1997. She knew me
professionally and felt it would be a good networking opportunity for me. She had no idea I was a domestic violence survivor, no idea how very passionate I was about the cause, and no idea how involved I would become. As a survivor, the cause IS personal for me. I am ever so thankful for that first invitation!
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After a year or two, I asked her if I could invite others to join us and we grew our table(s). Soon she asked if I would take over her duties as Table Host and she became one of my guests until she could no longer attend.
In 2006, I was asked to join the Circle Steering Committee, and I got involved immediately as Table Host Chair and the rest is history! I chaired the event in 2009 and 2010, telling my story on stage. I took over the duties of Sustaining Circle Chair in 2011 and I also chair the Food & Decor Committee. My creativity as an Interior Designer is challenged every year as we come up with our centerpiece designs. Each year, we try to do something that YWCA’s clients can benefit from. As you gather around our tables in October, you will notice seasonal decor and toys. This is so that year round, our clients will see a little beauty and joy in the turning seasons.
Being a Table Host has always been rewarding as I get others involved in my passions and with my favorite charity. I ask friends or professional acquaintances, just like my original Table Host did 26 years ago, and their passions grow as well. Many of my guests come year after year. Some become their own Table Hosts. That's how we grow our event. But most importantly, that's how we meet our monetary goals for the mission, for YWCA’s domestic violence services. Many of my guests have joined me in becoming part of our Sustaining Circle, a group of donors who are committed year after year to give higher contributions/gifts.
I challenge you to get involved! Register to attend Circle, commit to hosting a table, or join me as a part of our Sustaining Circle. It's all so rewarding and worthy of your time, talent, and treasure!"
Lydia M. Runge-Quinn
Ethan Allen Diamond Spirit Award Winner
Learn more about Circle and find a link to register on our website.
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Circle Corporate Sponsors | |
Thank you to the following groups who have already committed to top level sponsorships for our 2023 Circle Luncheon. Your sponsorship directly supports our domestic violence services! | |
Do you want to showcase your company’s community values with an event sponsorship? It's not too late to get involved in our 2023 Circle event. View our Sponsorship Packet here. Contact Patty Dunn for more information! | |
Domestic Violence Awareness Month | |
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and YWCA Northeast Indiana has a lot planned to help bring awareness and support to those whose lives have been affected by this serious issue. | |
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There are many ways to get involved and help raise awareness this month:
- Wear purple on Fridays in October.
- Attend YWCA and community events like Flowers on the River, Chalk it Up, Peace Story Time, and Circle.
- Share our DVAM 2023 toolkit.
- Follow us on social media for facts and statistics about domestic violence.
- Be on the lookout for the MLK Bridge, ASH Skyline building, and other areas of Fort Wayne to be lit in purple.
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Find more details and resources about domestic violence awareness month by visiting our website! | |
YWCA Northeast Indiana is a Charity Partner with Fort4Fitness! If you plan to participate in the Fall Festival (September 30th) or Winter Wonder Dash (November 17th), be sure to keep us in mind! | | |
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Select YWCA Northeast Indiana on the Charity Partner drop down when you register. If we are selected by 100 or more participants, we get a portion of the registration fees donated! There’s nothing special or extra you have to do, all you have to do is select us as your charity partner.
Register here.
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There is value in the past. Our history at YWCA Northeast Indiana is full of experiences, experiences that have helped develop us into the life-saving agency we are today. We are not able to serve the growing demand for our services in our current, limited space. And, while there is beauty in the patina, our old keys won’t open new doors. Now, we begin a journey of opening new doors. Will you join us? | |
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The time has come when the past is no longer enough.
The time has come to look, not at what could be, but what will be.
It’s time to unlock new doors.
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Learn more about our capital campaign and how you can get involved and support YWCA Northeast Indiana by visiting our website. | |
Goldstein Family Scholarship Program | |
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The goal of the Goldstein Family Scholarship Program is to help female survivors of domestic violence improve their self-sufficiency and quality of life by completing higher education. The scholarship fund provides financial support for tuition, books, rent, utilities, and childcare. Learn more here.
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We have recently updated our Amazon Wish List with current needs, including needs for clients and operations needs. Your purchases can be sent directly to our location.
If you would like to financially support YWCA Northeast Indiana, you can access our donation page by following the link below:
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