Susan serves as the English Department Head at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and is the current Chair of the YWCA Red Dress Committee.  Susan received her Ph.D. in Educational Studies, specializing in Educational Leadership from Lesley University.  We are very excited to have her on the Board of Directors. 

Annual Meeting 2018

2019 YWCA Board of Directors

The 2018 Annual Meeting was held at the  Waypoint Event Center 

in New Bedford on November 29, 2018.  Waypoint staff delivered outstanding service as usual and went above and beyond to make sure guests, YWCA Board  and staff  were accommodated in every way possible.

Dr. Susan Sylvia, from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational 

Technical 

	Mayor's Youth Council testimonial

High School was elected to serve her first-three year term on the Board.  

Carmen Aguilar, from Bristol Community College, was re-elected to serve a second-three year term on the Board.  

Dr. Juli Parker, from UMass Dartmouth was re-elected for a one-year term.

We said goodbye to our departing Board Member, Cyndi Colson, 

from Global Learning Charter Public School.

2019 Officers:

Dr. Juli Parker, President

Melissa Costa, LICSW, Vice-President

Atty. Kristina da Fonseca, Treasurer

Jane Gonsalves, Asst. Treasurer

Tanya Alves, Clerk.  

2019 Board of Directors:

Carmen Aguilar,  Tanya Alves, 

Rita Braga,  Melissa Costa, LICSW, Atty. Kristina da Fonseca, 

Julie Duggan,Leanne Fisher-Ross, Kr isty Francis, Monica Furtado,  Jane   Gonsalves,  Sharon Jones,  Rebecca Laliberte, Lynne Mastera,  Kelli Munroe,  Dr. Juli Parker, Julia Santos and  Dr. Susan Sylvia.

YWCA Executive Director, Gail Fortes, and YWCA Board President Dr. Juli Parker, delivered powerful presentations on the YWCA's journey over the past year. Main focus this year was construction of the YWCA addition and the expansion of the Girls Exclusive Program and Youth/Police Dialogue Program.

Health and Wellness Testimonial

   

Participants from Girls Exclusive, Mayor's Youth Council, Widowed Persons, Residential Services, Youth/Police Dialogues and Health and Wellness told their stories and the positive impact that the YWCA had on their lives. 

A heartfelt testimonial from a breast cancer survivor reminded all of us about why we are dedicated to our Mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.  

Widowed Persons Program Director, Linda Rose, told her story about how she entered the program over a decade ago as a grieving widow herself and over time became a volunteer for the program and the current Program Director!

Girls Exclusive (GE) Staff, GE participant and mom (center)

 

Leading Ladies, Jordan Latham and Stormi Monteiro, registering people to vote at Bristol Community College. . Week Without Violence Pledge signing at Global Learning Charter Public School.   Girls Exclusive Coordinator, Jordan Latham and Girls Exclusive Instructor, Julianne Jones working during the YWCA Fall Festival Fundraiser at the Sail Loft in Dartmouth.

   

Girls Exclusive Participant, Victoria was the winner of the coding competition at Keith Middle School for International Day of the Girl. Victoria won a Google Pixel Book!

 

YWCA Board and Staff at the Fall River Children's Holiday Parade on December 1, 2018!

YWkids is an EEC (Department of Early Education and Care) licensed School Age After School Program.  The program is open Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.and during school vacations and various school closures from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. While at the program, children receive assistance with homework, activities, support from staff, art projects, social and friendship skills, field trips and much more!   

The program has different financial options such as private pay, PACE vouchers, and income subsidy. If you are interested in the program or for more information, please contact YWkids Program Director Tracey                                                   Saloman at: [email protected] or 508-525-7961.  

 

Girls Exclusive is an afterschool program for girls ages 11-13. The program is also open during the summer. During the program, girls learn a variety of skills such as social skills, art therapy, physical fitness, civic engagement, career planning, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). The girls also engage in financial literacy and racial justice. For more information on enrollment, general questions, and types of payment, please contact Girls Exclusive Coordinator, Jordan Latham: [email protected] or 508-999-3255.