Happy August! We hope you're enjoying your summer and that those of you with kiddos have had a smooth transition into the school year! It’s back to school time here at YWCA Northeast Indiana as well. Throughout 2023, 330 children accompanied their parent and stayed in our crisis shelter. We have a Child Advocate on staff who develops programs and activities designed to increase parenting knowledge, decrease risk for child abuse or neglect, increase emotional management for children, and normalize family relationships after trauma. We make sure children get to school even when they are staying in our shelter. Donations from the community allow us to provide brand new school supplies for kids for their first day of school.

As the summer months are coming to an end and the 2024-2025 school year has officially begun, we are proud to highlight our education services and how we prioritize education and safety for our younger generations.

Also in this month’s newsletter, you will find:

• Highlights from our “Aha!" campaign featuring local celebrities sharing moments that have helped them feel more empowered.
• Diversity Dialogue this Thursday, August 22nd from 12-1:30pm at the ACPL. The topic is Nurturing the People and we will hear from individuals who work to provide supplemental forms of nourishment in our community. Livestream is also available for those who want to attend virtually.
• YWomenVote National Town Hall Watch Party on Saturday, September 7th from 1-4:30pm at Indiana Tech.
• Summit City Climbing Co. fundraiser for YWCA’s Addiction Recovery Program on Thursday, September 12th from 10am-6pm. A day pass is $17 and shoe rental is available for an additional $6.
• 28th Annual Circle Luncheon on Thursday, October 3rd from 11:30am-1pm at Ceruti's. This event raises life-saving dollars for our domestic violence services.
• A variety of ways for you to get involved and support the work we are doing in our northeast Indiana community.
• Special highlights including staff and volunteers and so much more!

You make the difference, not only in our organization, but in our community. You are the key that helps us open our new doors and provide hope for our clients. We are beyond grateful for all of your support and look forward to all we are going to accomplish together!

Education Services

"The foundation we build our future upon is education."

Last year, our Community Educators had the opportunity to present to over 6,000 young people in schools, youth groups, and community centers. We seek to create fun and empowering programs that are relevant to the youth we work with.

Find a description of our youth education session topics and testimonials below:

Grades 8-12: Eyes Wide Open Relationship Awareness© 

"I really loved the information. I took it all in and I am going to use it for myself to have a healthy relationship."

"This was very helpful. I learned how to help a friend in this situation."

Grades 7-8: Digital Citizenship 101

"One thing I learned is if you feel uncomfortable, talk with a trusted adult."

"I learned about digital footprint and how it can affect our lives."

Grades 4-6: Cybersense

"I learned that I should be myself, and help people that need it!"

"Always, always try to stop bullying. Either tell the teacher or step in the situation so no one gets hurt."

Do you or someone you know work closely with youth? We would love to share our free, interactive sessions with your group this fall. Visit our website to learn more or inquire directly using the link below.

Statistics

After hearing a presentation from YWCA Educators, post-training surveys revealed:

• 89% of participants reported increased knowledge of the presentation topic
• 93% of participants demonstrated learning one new skill to support others
• 95% of participants demonstrated understanding of at least one key term related to the presentation topic

If you have any questions regarding our Community Education Services, please do not hesitate to contact our education team at educationteam@ywcanein.org or 260.424.4908 ext. 222.

"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.

"Always be ready to learn new things,' is what Sister Luciata at the St. Anthony Hospital Laboratory shared with me a long time ago. It was an 'Aha!' moment for me as I realized that change is necessary, and being receptive to learning new things is important. Leading change can feel empowering. I led a change in the dress code policy at a former employer, which felt very empowering as I fought against a status quo mentality. Be willing to accept change but also to lead change."

-Sandra Sullivan (Retired Medical Technologist and Chemistry Supervisor)

“A few months ago my pastor was talking about pausing under pressure and I often go go go. This has really stuck with me because it’s not the pressure, it’s the pause. The pause brings clarity in situations.”

-Donna Masterson (Assistant Director of Residential Services, YWCA Northeast Indiana)

“Last year at a Coffee & Conversation event, I heard a call to action that was my 'Aha!' moment, and since then has been a personal mantra. 'Be courageously soft' encourages us to embrace variability, but it also serves as a reminder that it is through our authentic tenderness we can empower others. There is so much strength in giving voice to your hardships, fears, and emotions. I believe we create a more loving world when we choose to be courageously soft. YWCA’s staff and supporters advocate for living bravely and building a more compassionate community. So please remember, no matter what, there is power and strength in being courageously soft!”

-Patty Dunn (Development Specialist, Women’s Fund)

“A time I felt empowered was when I stood up for myself at a job and requested a raise. I had been taking on more responsibilities and thought I deserved more, but I was afraid to advocate for myself. Taking the initiative was terrifying, but I felt so empowered when I finally did it and received the raise. My 'Aha!' moment was witnessing first-hand that we need to move forward, even through the fear. We may not always receive what we are advocating for, but at the very least, we will feel empowered.”

-Amanda Framme (Senior Paralegal, Lincoln Financial Group)

“All humans have needs, such as health, security, purpose, connection, etc. The people you choose to welcome into your life should help you meet those needs. They should respect those needs. When I really owned the idea of needs and stopped feeling bad for making sure my needs were met, I became better able to help others meet their needs as well. I can now tell when I have stopped taking care of my needs because I can see how it negatively impacts my interactions with all those around me. When I am taking care of my needs, my interactions are healthier, wrapped in kindness and honesty. An 'Aha!' moment for me is the realization that people don’t always remain in your life the same way, though. Realizing you are no longer important to someone else hurts, but it’s an opportunity to grow and move forward to taking care of your needs. This can be very scary but also very freeing. It can be an amazing adventure leading to a more amazing you.”

-Jennifer Campbell (Dean of Student Life - Fort Wayne, Manchester University)

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

Our third Diversity Dialogue event of 2024 is this Thursday, August 22nd. The topic is Nurturing the People. Recognizing that some communities in need experience gaps in accessing care and services, we will examine the work of those who provide supplemental forms of nourishment in our community.

Meet our Guest Speakers

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. Learn more about our guest speakers on our website. We hope to see you there!

Join YWCA Northeast Indiana, League of Women Voters of Fort Wayne area, Advancing the Voices of Women, and more for a watch party of the YWomenVote National Town Hall, hosted by YWCA USA. This is a nonpartisan forum for the diverse, impactful opinions of young women, girls, and nonbinary young people to influence national discourse and shape effective policy solutions as we approach the 2024 Presidential Election.

This event will be held on Saturday, September 7th from 1-4:30pm in the Multi-Flex Theater at Indiana Tech. Learn more about the Watch Party on our website and invite your friends by sharing the event on Facebook!

As part of their grand opening, Summit City Climbing Co. is hosting a fundraiser for YWCA’s Addiction Recovery Program! For just $17 (shoes can be rented for an additional $6), you can purchase a day pass and enjoy the gym from 10am-6pm on Thursday, September 12th, all while supporting a great cause! YWCA staff will be present at Summit City Climbing Co. to answer any questions and provide resources to participants.

Learn more about this fundraiser, our addiction recovery program, and what YWCA staff and the Summit City Climbing Co. owner have to say about this event by visiting our website. You can also invite your friends and help promote the event by sharing it on Facebook!

28th Annual Circle Event

We invite you to come together with us as a community for this year’s Circle event. Local survivors will bravely tell their stories and reflect on their past, letting others know it is possible to overcome barriers to experience a better day. Alongside the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, we will have experts address the top barriers preventing someone from escaping domestic violence. Your registration fee directly benefits our domestic violence programming. Learn more about the event on our website.

Meet our Panelists

There are many ways to get involved with Circle, including hosting a table and inviting your friends, becoming a corporate sponsor, becoming an in-kind sponsor, or volunteering. Learn more about the event on our website or contact Emily McCorkle at emccorkle@ywcanein.org with any questions.

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.

“I know first hand what it is like to survive and thrive after experiencing trauma. Now I get the opportunity to help other survivors become thrivers every day; this journey is why I choose to work for YWCA Northeast Indiana.”

-Emma (Sexual Violence Coordinator)

“I chose to work at YWCA because I am passionate about helping survivors take ownership over their trauma and begin their healing journey.”

-Katelyn (Therapist)

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!

Fort Wayne Rugby Football Club

We are sending a HUGE shoutout to Fort Wayne Rugby Football Club for volunteering at our new location, The Hefner Center, earlier this month!

If you're looking for ways to give back to the community and want to learn about volunteer opportunities at YWCA, contact volunteers@ywcanein.org for more information.

The Perfect Holiday Gift for Your Customers and Employees

Are you looking for a meaningful gift to give this holiday season? Give a gift that matters. By donating to YWCA Northeast Indiana in honor of your customers or employees, you will make a difference in the lives of real people right here in Northeast Indiana.

To learn more about honoring your customers or staff in this significant way, please email Jill Vaught, Chief Development Officer, at jvaught@ywcanein.org.

National Make-a-Will Month

A charitable bequest is an easy way to continue your financial support of YWCA Northeast Indiana even after your lifetime. You can create a bequest of any dollar amount, gift specific property, or designate a percentage of your estate in your will or trust plan.

Support YWCA's legacy as we work towards our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women! Please contact Jill Vaught at jvaught@ywcanein.org with any questions.

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 upcoming 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: