Dear Friends,
Leading a powerful group of individuals determined to provide safety, healing, and positive outcomes for thousands of Delawareans each year is an opportunity of a lifetime. If you attended our recent Celebration Breakfast, you might have seen a glimpse of the positive and powerful energy surrounding and inspiring me daily.
As you will read in this newsletter, YWCA Delaware continues to deliver on its quality programs, designed to uplift and empower Delaware’s youth and adults. From welcoming academic scholars into our public action forums to increasing the accessibility of advanced digital training statewide and achieving the lowest rates of returns to homelessness after two years compared to all other homeless assistance projects across the state of Delaware in 2021 – we are reaching new heights in successful outcomes for our community and participants - thanks to your unwavering support.
This winter, we hope you will share the news about our opportunities that provide educational tools and resources to help women and families achieve their full economic and social potential with your friends, family, and colleagues.
On behalf of YW’s staff, we appreciate your commitment to our mission and for allowing us this incredible opportunity to serve.
Wishing you continued strength and good health this season,
Melissa
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Melissa Gonville
Interim Chief Executive Officer
YWCA Delaware
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Thank you to all who attended our Breakfast Celebration, including our friends, supporters, volunteers, board, staff, young leaders, and remarkable participants who demonstrate daily the impact of our programs and help us empower women and families across Delaware. ( View our Photo Album) |
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Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) |
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Academic Scholar Highlight: On November 1st, Delawareans attended YWCA’s virtual Conversation with Professor Carol Anderson either remotely or in person at the Wilmington Library Watch Party.
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Carol provided this inspiring message to the younger audience members, “You are the largest demographic in the United States, and if you voted at the same rate as the Baby Boomers, it would be transformative. The vote is a key element in your power, your transformative ability to determine the kind of society you’re going to live in, the kind of society you’re going to have, to breathe, to live into your fullness.” (Button below expires 11/18/22)
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Launching Winter Book Study: Our 3-week virtual book study on Professor Anderson’s book, One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy, continues beginning the week of December 1st. Thanks to a generous donation from the Wilmington Public Library, you can pick up a free copy of this book when you register to attend this book study (while supplies last).
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Promoting Transformational Racial Healing Conversations: YW’s six-week Racial Transformational Healing Conversations pilot program at Delaware State University’s Trauma Academy returns this winter. Individuals interested in joining online group discussions designed to promote healing, trust, and mutual respect across racial and ethnic lines can pre-register below.
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Volunteer with Us! SARC begins training a new cohort of Sexual Assault Advocates (SARA) this January.
The deadline to submit a volunteer SARA application is December 31, 2022. The role of an advocate is to provide information and resources, normalize callers in crisis, and give unbiased emotional support to survivors of sexual assault and their significant other, families or friends. SARAs have an enormous impact on domestic and sexual violence survivor recovery rates. On average SARAs provide professional and compassionate crisis-intervention services to over 5,000 individuals annually.
During our recent Celebration Breakfast, a SARA named Ardeena shared this powerful message, "At SARC, we empower survivors. We give them the space to strengthen the necessary skills needed for a sustainable recovery and give them a shoulder to lean on when no light can be seen in sight. Because of SARC, I am who I am today – I am not only strong for myself but for those we serve every day. As a survivor, I wear both the physical and emotional scars of my perpetrator. I put up the fight of my life to survive, knowing that my support, my service, could change someone’s life - forever." (Learn more).
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Raising Awareness on Human Trafficking: This January, SARC will promote the Delaware Human Trafficking Interagency Coordinating Council's and Department of Homeland Security's Human Trafficking Awareness outreach efforts and Blue Campaign.
SARC invites the community to take photos of themselves, friends, family, and colleagues wearing blue clothing and share them on social media – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – along with the #WearBlueDay hashtag on Wednesday, January 11th, in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Anyone can participate. All you need is a piece of blue clothing!
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Mental Health Resources for Families: This February, SARC will be providing mental health resources designed for youth and families at two ChristianaCare events in Wilmington and Newark on Thursday, February 2nd, and Thursday, February 16th. All are welcome to pick up educational materials. Visit our 2023 Events Calendar for updates on these forthcoming events.
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Read-a-Thon Winner: Home-Life recently held a month-long Dr. Seuss-inspired Read-a-thon Challenge to help foster early reading amongst Home-Life's youngest participants. Two recent grand prize winners, Blessed and Namir, were invited to HLMC’s Readers Only Pizza Party and received a ShopRite gift card donated by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Way to go, Blessed and Namir! |
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Blooming in HLMC's Backyard: Home-Life welcomes urban farmer, Michelle Washington to it’s New Beginnings Garden. Michelle is currently growing echinacea, blueberries, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, kale, radishes, and Swiss chard for HLMC participants.
"I love that everyone has welcomed me as the farmer, and they are always asking questions," said Michelle. "Their excitement for the garden is rewarding."
Michelle was initially introduced to organic gardening while growing up on the island of Jamaica and has a passion for teaching organic gardening techniques to Home-Life’s program participants ( read more). |
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Rapid Rehousing Success Story: Tia was having difficulty paying for the rent, utilities, and groceries after the place she was living was condemned. Lacking a support system in Wilmington, she reached out and eventually entered an emergency shelter. Tia was referred to YWCA Delaware's Rapid Rehousing, which provides safe, affordable housing, financial assistance, and case management to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
YWCA helped Tia access financial aid, including a security deposit and three months of rent. After working with Tia, YWCA is proud to report that Tia and her teenage daughter are currently in a new home. Tia continues to work with YW's CSEP to become a homeowner soon.
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Youth Development: YWCA provided 49 Youth workshops that promote self-esteem, leadership, and college and career preparation at over ten schools in 2022, reaching over 468 students. Participating schools included Archmere Academy, Springer Middle School, Claymont Elementary, McCullough Middle School, and HB DuPont Middle School. ( Learn more) |
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Coming Soon! - YW's Youth Development program will be launching YW Strive for Teens in 2023. YW Strive for Teens is a twelve-week program designed to support teens (ages 13-19) in developing technical and interpersonal skills, emotional awareness, and self-efficacy. YW Strive for Teens will be offered in a culturally responsive manner with a trauma-informed care lens to address intersecting needs of the participants. Visit ywcade.org/youth for updates. |
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Holiday Market: YWMarketplace will be hosting its first-ever Holiday Market at The Delaware History Museum and Mitchell Center for African American Heritage ( 504 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE) on Sat., Dec. 3rd, from 12 to 5 p.m.
Scoop up beautiful gifts from local and women-owned businesses and enjoy our holiday window display. Interested in selling your products at our popup shop? Email aperry@ywcade.org to fill out a free seller application. Learn more at the ywmarketplace at ywmarketplace.org. |
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100 W 10th Street, Suite 515
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 655-0039
Fax: (302) 658-7548
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