"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." -Coretta Scott King

Lucky for us, our community is filled with passionate and generous changemakers that make our work possible. We are on track to serve over 6,000 adults and children this year- services that wouldn't be possible without your support. Whether it's time, talent, treasure, or simply telling others about our services, it makes a world of difference! We are so thankful for you and look forward to all we will continue to accomplish together!

In this month’s newsletter, you will find:

• Information about our annual Holiday Hugs activities for clients
• Highlights from our “Aha!" campaign featuring local celebrities sharing moments that have helped them feel empowered
• Details surrounding upcoming events
• Special highlights including staff and community partners
• Construction updates at The Hefner Center
• Our most recent "Are You an AllY?" blog post
• A variety of ways for you to get involved and support the work we are doing right here in northeast Indiana

Holiday Hugs

Staying in residential care during the holidays is difficult, especially for children. It is important to our staff that we provide opportunities for positive family interactions and promote a sense of normalcy for the women and children staying with us. Each year, we plan fun activities to do during the holiday season as well as provide gifts and memorable meals for the holidays.

Not only will the children receive a special present, but our adults will also receive gifts that will provide warmth and joy in the winter months. Thank you to all of our supporters who have donated decorations, coordinated other gift drives, and provided cheer this year! We are certainly grateful for your contributions!

"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.

"When I first moved back to Fort Wayne, I worked part-time at the Center for Nonviolence, engaging in batterer intervention work. An unexpected part of my training was going through the program as a participant, which meant facing my own violence and discussing it openly with other men in the program. I never saw myself as violent, but I came to discover that there really is no such thing as a ‘violent person’—just humans who have all committed acts of violence, ranging from the severe to the everyday. This profound ‘Aha’ moment taught me that while the levels of accountability differ, violence is part of the human condition we all share. This realization deepened my empathy and sharpened my awareness of the continuous inner work required for accountability and growth, as well as for peacemaking and building a Beloved Community."

-Rev. Angelo Mante (Executive Director, Alive Community Outreach)

“The first time I attended YWCA’s Circle Luncheon, I was deeply moved by the mission to combat domestic violence and racism. Hearing the gut-wrenching stories of resilience and breaking barriers truly opened my eyes. That was my ‘Aha!’ moment—realizing I was there for a reason. It inspired me to make a difference in whatever way I could. After that luncheon, I joined the Circle Committee and take great pride in what we achieve together each year. Supporting this mission is a true blessing!”

-Danielle Burns (Chief Operating Officer, Three Rivers Business Interiors)

“One afternoon, I was browsing through the shoe racks at Von Maur. As I browsed, I heard a voice. ‘Hey, I could not help but notice that you have a zipper too,’ said the woman. I had no idea what this meant until she pointed to my chest. I froze for a moment, her words hitting me in a way I never expected. I felt that feeling of self-consciousness. My hand darted to my chest, where the scar from my open-heart surgery protruded slightly from beneath my shirt. I had spent years trying to cover it up, fearing judgment, and struggling with insecurity. Curiosity turned into vulnerability as I found myself sharing my insecurities with a stranger. ‘That scar,’ she said, ‘that is a warrior wound. It tells a story of survival, strength, and perseverance. You have fought a battle and come out on the other side.’ In that moment, something clicked inside me—a profound ‘Aha!’ moment. I realized that my scar was not a source of weakness but a testament to my journey. It was a physical reminder of the strength I possessed, the battle I had fought and won. It stood as evidence that God had a plan for my life, one filled with purpose and resilience. My heart swelled, feeling empowered. For the first time, I saw this mark on my skin not as a flaw or a source of shame; it was a symbol of survival and hope. I had a ‘zipper,’ a symbol of my survival and it was a powerful reminder of all that I had overcome. My scar was not just a part of my past; it was woven into the fabric of my future, filled with purpose and promise. The self-consciousness was replaced by a sense of ownership over my story and that change was something to celebrate, not hide.”

-Shinisha Warfield (Human Resources, Allen County Government)

“I have learned that my path from victim to survivor is just that…MY path. It does not always look the same for others. Each person must be allowed to walk their own path, at their own pace, and with the support from us when they are ready and able.”

-Dottie Davis (Founder/Owner, Davis Corporate Training, Inc.)

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

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, November 14th from 12-1:30pm for our final Diversity Dialogue of 2024, Community Centered Care! As community needs change, individuals and institutions often struggle to adjust. This month’s dialogue will highlight the work of the Allen County Public Library and how they have adjusted to our community’s ever-changing needs. We invite you to bring a lunch or some snacks to enjoy as we sit around tables and brainstorm what new possibilities we can create together.

Meet our Guest Speakers

Learn more about our guest speakers by visiting our website.

We are so thankful for the ongoing commitment of the Allen County Public Library to meeting the ever-changing needs of the community. We hope to see you tomorrow!

Community Sale - Women's Professional Attire

YWCA Northeast Indiana has announced that it is concluding its Dress for Success program. The decision, reached after a review by YWCA’s board and a team from Leadership Fort Wayne’s Community Action Project, reflects a shift in focus to new areas where the organization can broaden its impact.

To mark the program’s end, YWCA is hosting a community sale event in hopes our items will find a new and loving home!

Visit our website for more information.

What is Persimmon Pride? Persimmon is the orange 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.

“YWCA offers important and necessary services to our community. I choose this job because I love working alongside such passionate and empowering coworkers, and because it gives me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

-Kerigan (Marketing Manager)

“I choose to work at YWCA because I enjoy helping people break through barriers and build a life in recovery. I hope to break the stigma behind addiction and help as many as I can to see that they are worthy of a life without substances.”

-Rebecca (Addiction Case Manager)

“I choose to work at YWCA because I am motivated to support my clients during a

vulnerable and difficult time in their lives. I love making an impact!”

-Olivia (Advocate)

“I choose to work at YWCA because I love being a part of our clients journey to recovery. Seeing the progress and growth of our clients inspires me to continue to encourage, empower, and support them through their difficult times.”

-BreAnna (Client Care Technician)

“I work at YWCA because my experiences bring a valuable perspective to our clients and I like that YWCA acknowledges types of trauma often left out of the discussion, like religious abuse and abuse based on immigration status.”

-Kristin (Client Care Technician)

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. Although it is still under construction, the former Hall’s Guesthouse Hotel at 1313 W. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana has become YWCA’s new home: The Hefner Center. Stay tuned for updates!

We are so excited to see our playground coming together! Thank you to the Do it Best Foundation and Eli Lilly for making this possible. We are already looking forward to warmer weather when our courtyard is filled with laughs and joy as children run around and play!

What Does the Future Hold for Racial Justice?

When we step back to look at the big picture, and also in the daily steps we take at YWCA, we do see progress towards our mission of “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” That progress still doesn’t seem to have put us very close to achieving those goals, though. Our community and our country’s progress can feel like one step forward and two steps back. Part of that is that no matter how bad things were in the past, when discrimination and exclusion occur they always cause hurt and damage. So, causing relatively less harm than in the past just still doesn’t seem very good.

Find the full article here and check out past posts from our "Are You an AllY?" blog series by visiting our website.

Community Supporters

We have been experiencing an outpouring of support from local businesses and we are so thankful for all of you who have come alongside us to further our mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.

We couldn't do what we do without your generosity and support!

Be Better Hospitality Toy Drive

Cinema Center Slipper Donations

2024 Kindness Challenge

Allen County is turning 200 in 2024! To celebrate, YLNI and the Allen County Commissioners are launching the 2024 Kindness Challenge.

It's a county-wide initiative to spread kindness. Whether you participate individually or with a school, organization, or business, their goal is to complete one million acts of kindness by the end of the year.

YWCA staff are participating and we encourage you to as well! Let's create a ripple effect of compassion and generosity. Let's make kindness go viral! Learn more and track your acts of kindness here!

Share YWCA Artifacts

As we continue to get settled at The Hefner Center, we can't help but appreciate YWCA's history and how we got here. Since 1894, YWCA Northeast Indiana has offered a variety of services, occupied multiple locations, and made a difference in the lives of countless individuals! The last 130 years have gotten us where we are today and we want to recognize and honor our journey and those who paved the way for us.

We are in the process of designing a history wall to proudly display in our lobby and are looking for content. Do you have any YWCA related items that you could share?

For example, check out this photo from 1956 of swimmers practicing water ballet in preparation for YWCA's International Holiday Show when we were located on Wayne Street!

(Image credit: News-Sentinel)

If you have any historical items that could help tell YWCA's story, please reach out to marketing@ywcanein.org.

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. However, we were not able to serve the growing demand for our services in the space at our Decatur Road location. And, while there is beauty in the patina, our old keys won’t open new doors. Thanks to generous supporters like yourself, we are now operating out of our Washington Center Road location, The Hefner Center!

However, we aren’t done yet! If you are interested in helping raise the funds necessary to push us over the finish line, please visit our website. This final phase of the capital campaign will provide the key to a safer, stronger, and more educated community.

We are ecstatic about the opportunities this move will provide. Not only does the location have many benefits, the extra space in the building is a game changer! Extra rooms allow for more clients to utilize our services, and the additional space will accommodate partnerships with local organizations.



Thank you for supporting our capital campaign efforts. You are truly making a difference!  

Goldstein Family Scholarship Program

Donate

With our move to The Hefner Center, we are excited to have a larger kitchen, which will help our nutrition team better serve our clients. This larger kitchen comes will additional needs. Click here to view our kitchen supply wish list, and check out our website for other in-kind donation opportunities.

If you would like to financially support YWCA Northeast Indiana, you can access our donation page by following the link below: