March is one of my favorite months. It's Women's History Month, and YWCA Northeast Indiana couldn't be more proud of the brave women who have made significant contributions throughout the years, women who have tirelessly worked to make a better community. Many great women come to mind....Marie Curie...Rosa Parks...Oprah Winfrey...Malala Yousafzai... Mother Teresa...Harriet Tubman.... Princess Diana...the list could go and on. We have been equally blessed by the contributions of local women such as Janell Lane...Brenda Gerber Vincent...Cassie Beer...Nikki Quintana, to name only a few of the many. The advancements these women have made paved the way for others, often by making personal sacrifices.

YWCA Northeast Indiana is proud to do our part in reducing the barriers that may prevent women from reaching their full potential. Learn more on that from Stefani, one of our fabulous therapists, below. In our Program Spotlight, she will tell you how "our therapy services empower individuals to reclaim control over their lives." Also, learn from Donna and Mikayla why they work at YWCA. They understand that history begins today, and they pave the way for others each and every day.

If you are looking for more ways you can make a positive impact the lives of others, please consider participating in our Race Against Racism 5K Walk/Run event scheduled for Saturday, April 27th.

Another way you can get involved is to help spread awareness about our sexual violence services, which is just in time for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. We have our annual "Speak Your Truth" event scheduled for Friday, April 12th from 6-8pm at the Tall Rabbit Cafe. For more information, jump down to our Get Involved section below.

We cannot do what we do without people like you. You make the difference, not only in our organization, but in our community. We are beyond grateful!

Therapy Services

YWCA Northeast Indiana provides help and support for survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence through crisis intervention, counseling, and support group services.

"Our therapy services empower individuals to reclaim control over their lives," says Stefani Tountzios, Therapist at YWCA Northeast Indiana. "We help clients cultivate fulfilling connections as they navigate their journeys through domestic violence and sexual assault. We come alongside clients and support those facing anxiety, life transitions, and grief as they move towards self-discovery and finding authenticity in their lives. I am grateful to work on a team that offers a compassionate and collaborative space that helps clients build foundations of safety and a pathway for transformational growth."

For more information about these services, contact us via email at therapyos@ywcaerew.org

"Aha!" Empowerment Campaign

YWCA Northeast Indiana is BIG on empowerment. It is who we are and what we stand for. Our 2024 "Aha!" campaign features local celebrities sharing moments that have helped them feel more empowered.

"Leadership is a gift and privilege built on trust. To be a leader in the advancement of women, one must be willing to add your name to bring someone else forward. An 'Aha!' moment is that women cannot afford to stand in the shadows. Look for ways to help advance others. Seek out. Stay curious."

-Cheri Becker (Principal, Becker Consulting)

“Before working at YWCA, I didn't know much about domestic violence or addiction. I applied to YWCA Northeast Indiana to use my skills to help women and further their mission. In my time here, I've greatly deepened my knowledge of how domestic violence and substance use affect women in particular, in addition to systemic barriers such as racism and misogyny. My ‘Aha!’ moment is that now, knowing that 1 in 3 women in our community have experienced domestic violence and understanding the clinical nature of substance use disorder, I have greater compassion for the variety of challenges facing women and survivors. I am honored to be able to make a slight difference in the circumstances of others through my role at YWCA.”

-Hannah Shoue (Grant Manager, YWCA Northeast Indiana)

"My 'Aha!' moment happened when I became a part of YWCA's Circle Steering Committee. It was the realization that my voice advocating against domestic violence, as an Asian American and Brown person, might encourage victims (men or women) to come forward and seek help. They don’t have to live in shame and fear. I feel it is my duty to continue to bring awareness, including my friends and family."

-Harini Bonam (President of Sangam Fort Wayne, Young Women & Girls Committee, YWCA Circle Steering Committee, Community Advocate)

"We all have an opportunity to learn from others. I feel empowered when others look to learn from me. An 'Aha!' moment for me is when I elected to speak up at a Fort Wayne City Council meeting, which is when I discovered just how empowering speaking up on something I believe in can be. We all have a voice, and we should feel empowered in using it."

-Steve Sullivan (Retired Educator)

Find more "Aha!" moments by visiting our website. 

Speak Your Truth

This FREE public event is a mic night for survivors of sexual violence to share their survivorship and strength through any art medium of their choosing: music, poetry, visual art, etc. Everyone is welcome to come listen and show support for the community at this event focused on healing and uplifting survivors. Coffee, tea, and pastries will be for sale for your enjoyment and proceeds will go to Blue Jacket. Agencies who work with survivors will be present to share resources available to the community. Attendees and participants are also welcome to contribute to the Clothesline Project, which will then be displayed in Fort Wayne to continue to raise awareness.

Do you identify as a sexual assault survivor? Have you ever thought about writing or creating art to help yourself heal from your experience? Have you ever wanted to share your successes in overcoming what you experienced? If you are interested in speaking your truth at this event, learn more by downloading our Talent Call Out.

If you haven't already, make sure to sign up for our 2024 Race Against Racism 5K Walk/Run! This fundraiser raises money for YWCA Northeast Indiana's racial justice efforts, which includes community events that promote racial justice through engaging conversations, learning opportunities, and collaboration with local organizations.

The 2024 event is scheduled for April 27th at PFW and encourages you to Ally Up! The event will focus on building allies to shape our community's youth and create a more inclusive future. We are in the fourth week of our 10 week training plan provided by YWCA in conjunction with Three Rivers Running Company. It’s not too late to get in on the action! Download the schedule to access a physical training plan with accompanying podcasts, videos, and readings that can build your anti-racism muscles along with your physical ones.

(To add the Pup Run if you’re already registered, login to your account and select Manage Registration > Add-ons).

Dogs must be leashed and should be comfortable in large crowds. You may still bring your dog for free without entering them into the Pup Run. Both the owner and their dog must cross the finish line to be eligible for the Pup Run prize drawing.

We are also introducing a new team structure! You can now create a team and join other teams for FREE. Standing up for racial justice is more fun and effective with friends! Create a team and your friends and family can search for your team name when they register to join. To register and join a team or add a team if you’re already registered, click here (you will need to login to your account and select Manage Registration > Teams). The timed competition will be based on individual runners regardless of teams, but we may have some extra awards to give out for teams that go above and beyond, whether in style, size, or support for YWCA.

The event is chip timed, and packet pickup begins at 9am with a race start time at 10am. Awards will be given out based on age categories and gender selection. Adult tickets are $40, student tickets (ages 15-23) are $20, and children 14 and under are $10. Early-bird pricing ends March 31, so make sure to sign up and secure your spot today! Add a reminder to your Google calendar here.

Find more information and recaps of past events by visiting our website.

Lynn Marbach and Three Rivers Running Company

We are excited to be partnering with Three Rivers Running Company once again to provide race participants with a Couch to 5K Training Plan, created by Lynn Marbach specifically for our Race Against Racism 5K Walk/Run event. The guide also includes anti-racism education resources added by YWCA. We are grateful for Three Rivers Running Company and their support of our Race Against Racism 5K Walk/Run!

Thanks to a donation from Three Rivers Running Company, we look forward to awarding top finishers with gift cards to the store, as well as a coupon to every participant! 

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.

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 drywall team has been onsite for a few weeks and spaces are beginning to look like rooms now! Looking ahead for the courtyard, as soon as the weather warms up, we will clean it up, smooth over the ground, and seed it with grass.

All We Can Do

Photo: Harriet Tubman from William H. Johnson’s Fighters for Freedom Series.

Find past posts from our "Are You an AllY?" blog series here.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

At YWCA Northeast Indiana, April is a time to raise community awareness about the difficult issues of sexual assault. Be a part of ending this serious problem by getting involved in April. Our goals for this month include being inclusive to all populations, engaging men, defining consent, and sharing messages of hope and empowerment.

Download our 2024 Toolkit and visit our website to:

• Register for our April 12th "Speak Your Truth" event
• Learn more about YWCA Northeast Indiana's sexual violence services
• Hear from local organizations that provide services to those who have experienced sexual violence. They will explain the processes and procedures that they follow when someone comes to them for help.

Capital Campaign

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?

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

Donate

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: