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February is known as the month of love. We celebrate Valentine's Day, which can include giving and receiving gifts from loved ones. This special day can be joyous for those of us who have loved ones who affirm their love, whether through verbal affirmation or through a gift or service. However, those experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, or addiction may also be experiencing a lack of affirmation, which can be extra hurtful at this time. For the individuals staying in our facility, receiving YWCA's services may be the first time they have felt love, and, quite possibly, the first time they have felt self-love. Trauma has a way of making a person feel unlovable, and at YWCA Northeast Indiana, we want everyone to know we care and that they are worthy.
This month, we offer several ways you can affirm your love and support of YWCA's mission. First, February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Here at YWCA Northeast Indiana, we are strong believers in the powerful role that awareness and education play in prevention. We urge you to take a proactive stance during the month of February and to engage your students and educate them about what teen dating violence looks like and the dangers associated with it. Download our toolkit, learn more on our website, and make sure to wear orange for love on Friday, February 16th!
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YWCA is happy to celebrate Black History Month!
Starting out as “Negro History Week” in 1926, we now celebrate every February, thanks to Carter G. Woodson. Recognizing the potential harm of not including African Americans in conversations of American history and culture, Woodson actively worked to preserve African American cultural contributions. Throughout the month, we will be sharing some of the contributions of Black American scholars and activists as well as highlighting the work of our very own Racial Justice Program! Learn more in our program spotlight section below.
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You can help others feel loved this Black History Month by offering one of our racial justice trainings in your workplace or by attending one or all of our Diversity Dialogue events. You can also register and participate in our Race Against Racism 5K Walk/Run event, which raises dollars for our racial justice programming. Our 10-week "Couch to 5K" Training Plan begins next week. Be sure to check it out!
We give a huge applause to Citilink for their bus honoring the bravery of Rosa Parks and to the exemplary artistry of Phresh Laundry. Check out this stunning piece below!
We also could use a little extra love and support for our Capital Campaign, "Old Keys Won't Open New Doors." Shawnee Construction is working feverishly to finish the renovations of our new building, and we still need additional financial support to finish the kitchen area and administrative offices. Please consider investing in our new home. We do have naming opportunities if you would like to show love to someone by honoring them in this legacy project. For more information, visit our website.
We want to thank you for your ongoing love and support. You allow us to show love to our clients through the work we do. We are forever grateful!
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Racial justice is the systematic fair treatment of people of all races that results in equitable opportunities and outcomes for everyone. All people are able to achieve their full potential in life, regardless of race, ethnicity, or the community in which they live. | |
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Racial justice — or racial equity — goes beyond trying not to be a racist. It’s not just about what we are against, but also what we are for. A “racial justice” framework can move us from a reactive posture to a more powerful, proactive, and even a preventative approach.
YWCA Northeast Indiana’s Racial Justice program places emphasis on community education and advocacy. In 2024, our racial justice work will have a specific focus on allyship. Get involved this year by attending our quarterly Diversity Dialogue events, and participating in our annual Race Against Racism 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, April 27th.
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We invite you to check out our monthly Racial Justice blogs, which are created to engage social dynamics and inform the community about the impact of experiencing racism. | |
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We are proud to offer two new community education opportunities for local organizations. Consider scheduling a training opportunity to continue your racial literacy journey while sharing with others the importance of Allyship in our community!
Our Diversity 101 Training for Businesses is an interactive two hour training that can be customized for your organization. This presentation looks at key terms, issues, implicit bias, and provides resources for diversity within your workplace.
Our C.A.R.E. Workshops (Cultivating Allyship and Racial Equity) are comprised of four sessions that are created to encourage racial literacy at individual and organizational levels.
Learn more about the length and cost of these trainings on our website. To request a racial justice training or get more information, email Heather at hessex@ywcaerew.org or fill out this form.
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"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. | |
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“Much of what I know about being a professional and a good family man I learned from my father-in-law, Bob Sebastian. He taught me how to set my priorities, with family coming first. My ‘Aha!’ moment is that not everyone has had support from family. I have an ‘Aha!’ moment at almost every YWCA board meeting when I hear what our clients face and how we help them.”
-Tom Salzer (Principal, Health & Wellness Market Leader, Elevatus Architecture)
“Stepping outside of one’s comfort zone can be an intimidating experience for anyone. I feel the most empowered when I push past fear and embrace new challenges and perspectives. Being surrounded by incredible women, who create a safe space for growth, is amazing. An ‘Aha!’ moment for me was when Brenda Gerber Vincent taught me the power of no. What incredible advice, being able to say no without feeling guilt. She taught me how important it is to take charge of your life and prioritize what truly matters to you; saying yes to opportunities that truly steer me towards a more intentional and fulfilling life. So, while I embrace new challenges, I accept the ones that steer me towards my goals and dreams.”
-Abeer Saeed (Account Manager and Interior Designer, Custer Inc. Workplace Furniture and Design)
"At times, I have experienced imposter syndrome. It was an 'Aha!' moment for me when someone I admire confessed that they, too, experience these feelings at times. Being authentic and vulnerable can be freeing! The more I practice being me with people I trust, the more I discover the beauty in it, especially during tough times."
-Kayla Luithly (YWCA Northeast Indiana Marketing and Development Committee Member)
"An 'Aha!' moment for me was when I realized that when we choose to forgive it opens up blessings that are stored up just for us! After you forgive…breathe, smile, and move forward."
-Tamyra Kelly (Public Information Officer, East Allen County Schools)
Find more "Aha!" moments by visiting our website.
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On February 2nd, in honor of Transit Equity Day, Citilink revealed a bus adorned with unique artwork paying tribute to Rosa Parks. The “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” is now featured front-and-center on a Citilink bus, 68 years after she stood up for her rights by refusing to give up her seat in a segregated bus. | |
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Casey Claypool (pictured in blue), Marketing and Development Manager at Citilink, says "We are proud of the mural we created to honor Ms. Rosa Parks with Phresh Laundry, installed by Sky High Graphix and sponsored by SEED. 65% of our workforce is African American, Black, Hispanic, or Brown. It's because of her brave refusal to move to the back of the bus that all of our drivers have the opportunity to sit at the very front of the bus. Catch our moving art on a route near you!"
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YWCA loves this new bus design and the meaning behind it. What a wonderful way to honor Rosa Parks. Kudos to Citilink and Phresh Laundry! We look forward to watching this bus travel throughout the city. | |
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Our first Diversity Dialogue event of 2024 is on Thursday, March 7th. The topic is Women's Work. March is Women’s History Month and this dialogue will highlight work being done by some incredible women who are crossing cultural barriers to contribute to community building and belonging.
This dialogue will be a two-part conversation. Julie Sanchez will start the conversation sharing about her business in coaching professional women of color. She will engage with Clydia Early, owner of BIPOCA Incubator and Gallery, about cultivating diverse talent. Next, Rebecca Reeder will host a Q&A with the local community group "Sister 2 Sister," a group of local women who get together and discuss cultural differences.
The event will take place from 12-1:30pm at the Allen County Public Library (Main Branch) in Meeting Room AB. This event will also be available via livestream. We hope to see you there!
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Julie Sanchez
CEO, Expert Business Solutions LLC
Expert Business Solutions LLC (EBS) was birthed by an African American female, Julie Sanchez, who passionately believes in leaning in and working to become the solution to whatever challenges we face in the world today. EBS offers executive coaching and leadership training services. EBS provides safe, healing spaces for Black professional women and leaders to navigate racism, create their narrative, develop innovative strategies, and respond from a place of power instead of injury. CEO Sanchez is a professional speaker and conducts a variety of team-building, and training workshops. EBS also helps organizations create strategies that bring polarized groups together and partners with leaders to create energized plans.
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Clydia Early
Owner, BIPOCA Incubator and Gallery
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Rebecca Reeder
Rebecca retired in 2009 from 27 years of teaching in Southwest Allen County Schools. Since then, she has served as a mentor teacher for more than twenty summer institutes for the Center for Civic Education, and was the director for both state and national professional development summer programs. She has traveled to Macedonia, Malawi, India, Thailand, and Armenia to train teachers in civic education strategies. She has also been an instructor for masters level teaching courses at IPFW, worked as the Education Program Director at the Embassy Theatre, and is currently contracted with the Center for Civic Education as the coordinator of a national competition.
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Learn more about Diversity Dialogues and find a full 2024 schedule on our website. | |
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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 proud to provide a 10 week "Couch to 5K Training Plan" that Lynn Marbach (General Manager of Three Rivers Running Company) put together specifically for our event. The guide also includes allyship education resources added by YWCA. The 10 week training plan starts next week, so lace up your shoes and get ready to train your body and your mind as we race to end racism!
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.
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Find more information and recaps of past events by visiting our website. | |
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 chose to work at YWCA Northeast Indiana to amplify the voices of those going through hard times in their life. I wanted a way to support and empower young women."
-Jalynne (Sexual Violence Advocate)
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!
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"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! | |
In the past few weeks, we have made major progress with walls going up in our chapel and future office areas. We are now in the process of putting up dry wall and mudding. The front canopy is almost ready four our new "The Hefner Center" sign! | |
Join us on Friday, February 16th as we wear orange to raise awareness of teen dating violence. | |
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Think about the reason you’re wearing orange. Post a photo of you wearing orange on social media and finish the sentence, “I wear orange because…”
Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtags #Orange4Love, #teenDVmonth, and #loveisrespect. Most importantly remember, love is respect, not abuse!
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Find national and local statistics, learn about YWCA's free youth education presentations, and check out what we've been up to this Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month by visiting our website. | |
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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