Weekly update for our YWCA Evanston/North Shore community
The last two weeks have been a roller coaster for everyone, as we try to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. It has been confusing, unnerving, and challenging, but we are quickly developing new ways of working together while continuing to meet the needs of the women and children we serve, as well as our broader communities. 

One of our most critical needs has been getting systems in place to protect the health and safety of our must vulnerable group: our domestic violence shelter residents and staff. Last week, we worked with leadership from community partners including Connections for the Homeless, the City of Evanston, and Evanston Community Foundation, to secure hotel rooms for women currently living in our shelter so they can practice social distancing and have their own rooms and bathrooms, a step that is critical to the health and safety of all. (Read more about this effort here.)

Our YWCulinary class, which started March 10, is now being transitioned to a Google classroom, with all participants choosing to continue. Our Equity Team is introducing "Let's Talk @ Lunch -- from a distance!" next week (see below), and plans are underway to offer online learning in many other areas as well.

As we seek silver linings amidst the chaos and uncertainty, one of them is that social distancing is forcing us to adapt faster to a changing world. By updating our technology and enhancing our skill sets now, we can offer both online and onsite training, enabling us to serve more people in the future.
 
Stay with us and stay healthy. We'll get through this, together!
Our YWCA heroes - survivors and shelter staff
Ten of the survivors currently living in our domestic violence shelter are continuing to go to work each day because the work they do is considered essential in this time of crisis. Not only can they not shelter in place in their own homes, they are out helping their communities in times of extraordinary need.

We are also extraordinarily thankful for our shelter staff (pictured below, and crisis counselor Nina Campbell, not pictured). YWCA shelter staff are putting themselves at personal risk in order to provide uninterrupted onsite support during this crisis for the women and children in our shelter.

These are some of our YWCA heroes amidst this crisis. Our gratitude to all of them!
Do you have a spare thermometer?
We are in need of 36 more thermometers to help monitor the health of our shelter residents. If you have any extra at home, please sanitize them, put them in an envelope, and drop them off at the black mail box at our main entrance on 1215 Church Street in Evanston. Those living and working in congregate settings are at highest risk for contraction so this is a preventative step. Thank you so much!
Managing limited funds during times of crisis
This is a time of economic hardship for many, especially those who have lost their jobs or have limited financial resources. Our Women's Economic Advancement team is continuing to find ways to provide training and guidance low-to-moderate income women, including women in our shelter and participants in our Basic Money Management programs.Click here for "Basic money management during times of crisis," a helpful resource developed by YWCA Financial Education Specialist Fabiola Alfonso (right) for anyone who is low-to-moderate income.
Let's Talk @ Lunch - at a distance
We're taking Let's Talk @ Lunch, an informal community discussion of current events through a racial equity lens, to Zoom!

Please grab some lunch, pull up a chair in your home, and join your virtual neighbors for a facilitated discussion next Wednesday!

Topic: Let's Talk @ Lunch - at a distance
Time: Apr 1, 2020 12:00 PM Central Time

Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/8640668166

Meeting ID: 864 066 8166
Don't forget to complete your census!
We all count.
You should have received your official Census Bureau mail last week with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail. Census forms should be completed by Census Day, next Wednesday, April 1. Spread that word!

You can find more information here.
We need your support now more than ever
The world is changing quickly and challenging us all. And while the safety and health of our clients and staff remains our highest priority, YWCA is still providing critical services to vulnerable families in our communities. Your gift, in any amount, will help us help others. Please give today. 
Thank you!
We love our Corporate Partners!
YWCA Evanston/North Shore | Phone 847-864-8445 | ywca@ywca-ens.org | www.ywca-ens.org