YWCA Boulder County Weekly Update
We stand together as a community and as a powerful national and local YWCA. Through these uncertain times, we remain fully committed to our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women during this health and economic crisis. 

Throughout our history, YWCA has always worked to meet the needs of women, children and people of color. Check out the PSA video from YWCA USA above. If you are able, please consider making a gift to your local and national YWCA . Together, we can continue meeting the critical needs of our community and communities across the country during the COVID-19 crisis.
 
Here in Boulder County, we are all being impacted by the effects of new guidelines and regulations due to COVID-19. Thank you for your support and understanding as we pivot our programming to ensure the health and safety of our families, children and staff.  We are working closely with Public Health, early childhood education councils and coalitions, Boulder County and the state of Colorado to determine when we will be able to reopen Children's Alley, which is currently closed through April 20.

We'll keep you updated on our progress and plans, and hope that you and yours are healthy and safe during this difficult time.

Be well,

Debbie Pope, CEO
Gender Pay Gap Podcast Episode

Findings from the Community Foundation Boulder County's TRENDS Report recently found that on average, women working full-time earn $.74 for every $1.00 a full-time working man does in Boulder County. "And a lot of times this is regardless of their expert experience, their education", explained Debbie. YWCA Boulder County has been diving into this data to learn more about this wage gap and see what we can do about this issue as a community.
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.
Participate in the 2020 Census
With everything going on right now, it is more important than ever that everyone participates in the 2020 Census. Help us spread the word so that EVERYONE is counted!

This year’s Census will determine how billions of dollars in public funding are spent, and our communities use federal funding for important services such as health care, schools, parks, trains, roads and much more, including a number of the programs through which the YWCA receives funding. If there is an undercount in our area, neither we nor those we serve may receive a fair share of federal resources. 

You can complete the questionnaire online—even from a smartphone—and your personal information is secure. The questionnaire is short and only asks for basic information (e.g., age, sex, race, type of housing, etc.) for people living in your household. It does not ask for sensitive information like social security numbers, immigration status or bank account information. If you have questions on how to fill out the form, you can find answers at https://2020census.gov/en/who-to-count.html.

If you haven’t already completed the form, please do so online today at https://my2020census.gov/ . The website begins by asking you for 12 digit Census ID, but you can complete the Census without the Census ID by simply choosing the “If you do not have a Census ID, click here” option at the bottom of the page. 

You can also complete the Census by calling 844-330-2020.

After you have completed the Census yourself, please ask your personal network to do the same. We want to be sure that friends and family hear the message about the critical importance of Census from trusted voices like yours.

We appreciate you taking the time to fill out the Census, and encouraging your loved ones to do the same. We are striving for a complete count and hope that you will take this opportunity to invest in our communities!
Domestic Violence Resources
For some in our community, staying home is also not safe.

This is a stressful time for all of us. The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 public health emergency combined with social isolation, reduced access to employment and food, and in some cases lack of child care, is difficult for many families and individuals to endure. Please reach out to your family, friends, and neighbors by phone or video during this time, and help ensure they feel supported.

We also recognize that for some families and individuals, the difficulties are too much to handle. The Boulder County Abuse and Neglect Hotline is available 24 hours a day, every day, at 303-441-1309.

Boulder County responds to concerns around potential abuse and neglect by working with families and individuals to understand their challenges and -in many cases- connecting them with supports they may need. The safety of children and at-risk adults is a top priority. Anyone witnessing a child or at-risk adult in a life-threatening situation should call 911 immediately.


Here are some tips from SPAN: Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence:

If a friend or a neighbor is in trouble, what can you do?

  • Help them plan where they (and the children), could go in an emergency or if they decide to leave.
  • Agree on a code word or signal they can use to let you know they need help.
  • Help them prepare an excuse so they can leave quickly if they feel threatened.
  • Find out about how the police can protect them, and if calling the police is an option.
  • Help them prepare an "escape bag" and hide it in a safe place. If they leave, they will need money, keys, clothes, bank cards, driver's licence, social security documents, property deeds, medication, birth certificates, passport and any other important documents.
  • Think if it is safe to help interrupt an episode of violence, create a code so you can knock on the door.
  • If they decide to stay they may need to think about other ways to protect themselves and the children from further violence.

***Be careful. Don't place yourself in a position where the person who is being abusive could harm or manipulate you. Don't try to intervene directly if you witness a person being assaulted - call the police instead.***

24-Hour Crisis Line: 303-444-2424
Sign up for the 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!

Each Monday, we are 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.

If 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
 



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