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2024 has been a remarkable year! Remarkable in the number of individuals who received our services, community members who were positively affected by our work, and the ongoing support we received from our friends.
This year has been full of transitions for YWCA Northeast Indiana. We are so thankful for our resilient staff, local partners, and faithful supporters for helping us overcome challenges and continue to offer our life-saving services to those in crisis. We could not have done any of it without you!
In this month’s newsletter, you will find:
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An overview of all we've accomplished together in 2024
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Special shoutouts to staff and community partners
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Highlights from our “Aha!" campaign featuring local celebrities sharing moments that have helped them feel empowered
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Details surrounding an upcoming event and your New Year's resolution
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Construction updates at The Hefner Center
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A variety of ways for you to get involved and support the work we are doing right here in northeast Indiana
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YWCA Northeast Indiana accomplished a lot in 2024! Find a recap of our year here. We can only do what we do because of you. We can't wait for 2025! | |
Holiday Hugs Volunteers and Donors | |
YWCA is so grateful to have so much help this year in making the holidays an extra special time for those utilizing our services. | | |
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Holiday Hugs is YWCA Northeast Indiana's annual holiday party for our residents.
Leading up to the party, the Fraternal Order of Police had their annual “Kops 4 Kids” event (pictured left). Families in our programs got to go holiday shopping with these police officers.
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Our lobby was cheerfully decorated with AEP Foundation’s tree, decorated by Carroll High School Interior Design Students, previously featured in The Embassy's Festival of Trees.
Santa and Mrs. Claus traveled all the way from the North Pole to pose for pictures with all of the children and families staying at YWCA. You can only imagine the joy on the kid's faces!
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Each child received board games and toys, generously donated by the staff at Lincoln Financial Group, Fort Wayne Rotary, Precision Utilities, Be Better Hospitality Group, and Fort Wayne Cinema Center. Our adults also received gifts that will provide warmth and joy in the winter months.
Residents enjoyed a delicious and generously donated meal, prepared by staff (pictured left).
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Purdue Fort Wayne Music Therapy students (pictured right) sang festive carols during dinner.
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!
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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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“My ‘Aha!’ moment was recognizing that trauma impacts people and how they form relationships in the future. So many people experience trauma at an early age, which impacts them for the rest of their lives. So be kind- it’s true that you don’t know what they have been through.”
-Paula Hughes-Schuh (CEO, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
“My ‘Aha!’ moment came from a quote I once read by Socrates: ‘The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.’ This insight helped me see the beauty in letting go of the need to always be the smartest person in the room. It allows space for listening, vulnerability, curiosity, and, ultimately, deeper learning.”
-Keiara Carr (Director of Mission Advancement, Amani Family Services, Inc.)
“To God be the Glory, I love that this highlights people that are believed to be local celebrities. My ‘Aha!’ moment was realizing that I come from a background that would not naturally produce great outcomes for my life, however because of the belief of others in me I am able to stride in my community to make change and to believe in others as well!”
-Cassius OA Stallings (Wellness Coordinator, HealthVisions Midwest of Fort Wayne)
“I've spent a lot of time in recovery meetings. One of my ‘Aha!’ moments was realizing the power of going first. The first person to contribute sets the tone for all the contributions that come next. If I share about hardship, the room becomes a safe place for others to share their hardship. If I share about joy or gratitude, other people start thinking about their own joy and gratitude. If I'm willing to trust someone by being vulnerable and open, I'm more likely to hear honest and valuable truths from them in return. It's a principle that is true in recovery meetings, but also at family dinner tables and even in boardrooms.”
-Beth Boatright (Director of Community Partnerships and Programs, Allen County Public Library)
“I think if you look closely, ‘Aha!’ moments happen all the time in life. One that comes to mind right now for me is learning how to remain true to myself and stay in my power, despite outside influences. Working in television, people have a lot of opinions about you. Your hair, your makeup, your style of reporting… the list goes on. I find that when I’m my genuine self, I’m the happiest and can perform at the highest level.”
-Julian Teekaram (Anchor/Reporter, 21Alive)
Find more "Aha!" moments by visiting our website.
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Trying to think of a New Year's resolution? Incorporate both racial justice and fitness into your 2025 goals by participating in our fourth annual Race Against Racism. Race participants will receive a 10 week "couch to 5K" guide to prepare for the event, which will include educational and engaging aspects. | | |
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April 26th, 2025 from 8:30am-12pm at Purdue Fort Wayne.
2025 Highlights
- New One Mile Fun Walk/Run
- A family-friendly, accessible, and scenic route
- 2nd annual Pup Run
- More ways to promote YWCA's Racial Justice Program
- Official Fort Wayne Running Club Points Series Event
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Registration opens on Monday, December 30th! Visit our website to learn more. | |
"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! | |
After a long awaited makeover, YWCA staff have officially transitioned into their permanent office spaces! New carpet, freshly painted walls, and furniture have made our offices feel even more like home! We are excited to have more comfortable spaces where we can work on a daily basis to advance our mission and serve our northeast Indiana community. | |
Target Circle Community Giving Program | |
Starting in January, YWCA Northeast Indiana will be featured in the Target Circle community giving program. Target Circle members can earn and cast votes for a selection of local nonprofits. The program is available through Target's mobile app, online at target.com/circle, and in stores. Become a Target Circle member today so you're ready to cast your votes! Based on your votes, YWCA will receive a percent of a grant pool from Target, along with increased exposure of our mission and services. | |
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! | | |
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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. | |
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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!
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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.
The next application deadline is January 1st, 2025. Learn more here.
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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:
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