YWCA Boulder County Weekly Update
Today, as we face these uncertain times, we stand together as a community and as a powerful national and local YWCA. We continue to answer the call for help across communities big and small as we have done for over 160 years. And while we'll always get up and do the work to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities, we recognize that this work presents new challenges. COVID-19 will draw a line in our history. Not only are our communities facing the effects of a pandemic, but we must also contend with the impact of a growing economic recession. 
 
We continue to provide services and resources for the most vulnerable women, children, and their families: those facing domestic violence, low-wage workers who will suffer from job cut-backs, individuals experiencing homelessness, and families in need of affordable childcare options as a result of emergency school closures.
 
Here in Boulder County, we're being impacted by the effects of new guidelines and regulations due to COVID-19. This has required us to temporarily close Children’s Alley until April 20. We're working closely with Public Health, early childhood education councils and coalitions, Boulder County and the state of Colorado to determine how we can address the most critical emergency childcare needs at this time. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we pivot our programming to ensure the health and safety of our families, children and staff. We'll keep you updated on our progress and plans in this important space.

Throughout our history, YWCA has stood with the most vulnerable and underserved communities, helping women to find a safe place during the industrial revolution, supporting our men and women during WWI and WWII, aiding our first responders during the 1918 Flu Pandemic, and fighting for gender equality and racial justice throughout the 20th Century and still today. We'll continue to get up and do this vital work everyday. 
 
Through it all, we remain fully committed to our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women during this health and economic crisis. 
 
Be well,

Debbie Pope, CEO
Thank You Funders
Thank you to our amazing funding partners!

Grant funders such as the Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGLYS), the Buell Foundation, Rose Community Foundation, Western Digital, Longmont Community Foundation and others are working collaboratively with YWCA Boulder County to best navigate funding uncertainties during the COVID-19 crisis and the disruption of services to Boulder County families.

Grant funders have stepped forward with:

  • Flexibility in allocating previously awarded funds to support alternative ways of offering programming and/or to cover payment for program staff during interruption of services.

  • Emergency funding to help maneuver in this unprecedented new environment of serving the community and ensuring safety through limited or no one-on-one contact.

  • Timely communication of grant awards to enable better planning for cash flow needs during interruption of regular YWCA Boulder County programming and receipt of service fees. 
RER Virtual Book Club for Adults
There's still time to join our Reading to End Racism Book Club!

On Tuesday we started our virtual book club with our first book, “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates.  Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00pm. We are asking new members to read the first 15 chapters of the book for a robust discussion. 

If you are interested in joining, please email Debbie Pope at debbie@ywcaboulder.org.
*New* Parent Resource Weekly
If you're a parent with children at home due to school and childcare closures and need a little inspiration, we are here to help!

Starting on Monday, we'll begin sending out our new Parent Resource Weekly, a weekly email packed with helpful information on everything from health and wellness, activities you can do with your kids, and how to create a daily routine for your family, to our very own new activity videos from our wonderful Children's Alley teaching staff.

Parent Resource Weekly will be sent to our Children's Alley families and any other interested parents.

I f you would like to receive the Parent Resource Weekly, please sign up here or by clicking the button below.
COVID-19 Info and Community Resources
Below are some community resources, which are also posted on our regularly updated COVID-19 blog post with additional resources:

  • EFAA will continue to provide services throughout the stay-at-home order, with adjusted hours.


  • Community Food Share has a Coronavirus Preparedness & Prevention page with information on how to get food and how you can help.



  • If your employment has been affected by COVID-19 closures, you can learn more about filing for unemployment benefits with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and file for unemployment benefits here.



  • If you need a local food bank or essential items or services, check out: Community Food Share, OUR Center, EFFA, Harvest Hope Pantry, Nederland Food Pantry, Sister Carmen Community Center, A Precious Child, Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley, Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund, Colorado Pet Pantry

  • If you need food or services for seniors, check out: Meals on Wheels Boulder, Longmont Meals on Wheels, Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, Jewish Family Services, Cultivate, Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, and Nederland Area Seniors.


Local Information about COVID-19
 



Domestic Violence, Racism & Scapegoating on the Rise During the COVID-19 Epidemic
As COVID-19 spreads like wildfire, other harmful things are on the rise in our community and across the country: domestic violence and racism, particularly the scapegoating and blaming of Asian, Jewish and other minorities for the COVID-19 crisis.

Domestic abuse, racism and scapegoating should not be tolerated - not now, not ever. All of us at YWCA Boulder County are dedicated to fighting racism and empowering women - both are integral parts of our organization's mission - and we will continue to work together to help women, children and families stay safe from domestic abuse as well as scapegoating and racism. 

To learn more about these critical issues as well as what you can do to help, visit:

Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA, spoke with Ms. Magazine about the impact COVID-19 is having on households across the U.S., as well as the ways we can all help protect those who are most vulnerable to domestic abuse during this time of self-quarantining.



Thank YOU for your support!
Our work would not be possible without the support of passionate individuals and businesses like you who support our programs and services.

If you can, please consider making a donation in whatever amount you are able . Your donation is tax-deductible and eligible for the Colorado Childcare Contribution Tax Credit. Together, we will weather these difficult times and continue our work to eliminate racism and empower women. 
YWCA Boulder County | ywcaboulder.org