Fuel a Positive Future
During this time in our history, the intersection of our mission – to eliminate racism and empower women – has never been more critical. It is reflected in the many challenges we hear about in the news and see in our community every day: from a crumbling early child care industry and the greatest exodus of women from the workforce in modern history, to ongoing calls for racial justice in our society and the dismantling of systemic racism, to the fight for women to have the right to make their own individual decisions about their own bodies and health.

Some of you have been with us for many, many years and some of you have only recently joined us, but you are all part of a powerful YWCA community fueling the programming, advocacy, and education that is changing individual lives every day.

Thanks to our YWCA community, we have seen possibility bloom in our community:

  • A 6th grade girl in our STEM E3 program went from saying, “I’m not good at math” to “I’m going to be an astronaut”. YWCA Boulder County was there as she dove headfirst into introductory coding courses and learned about possible STEM careers from real-life mentors and women in those fields. 

  • A driven young woman realized her dreams of receiving her Ph.D. while also managing the demands of motherhood and finding affordable child care for her beautiful one-year-old daughter during a pandemic. Persimmon Early Learning of the YWCA was there for her and allowed her to focus on her degree while her daughter was receiving her own high-quality early childhood education. 

  • A high school Latina student achieved her dream of attending college as a first-generation college student. YWCA Boulder County was there to help her overcome systemic barriers and navigate college applications, explore career paths and provide mentoring and support, so that she knew “I am not alone in whatever I am going through … because there is a huge support system right there to help us.” 

  • A local teacher ensured her students are learning about racism, discrimination and bullying so that she can make her classroom a more equitable, safe and welcoming community for all students. YWCA Boulder County was right there with her, providing resources and advocating for the importance of her work to teach inclusive history and include diverse perspectives in her curriculum.  

Our mission to eliminate racism and empower women can feel daunting, and when people ask us how we don't get discouraged with such a hill to climb, we think of each of you. The work is ongoing to ensure that the critical direct services that women and girls depend upon today remain accessible.

Thank you for all your support this year. We hope you will continue to help us fuel our work and that you raise your voice with ours - advocating for change, overcoming inequity and achieving the community we want.
Reading to End Racism Recap
Reading to End Racism (RER) 
We recently held a fantastic Reading to End Racism (RER) session at Douglass Elementary School in Boulder. The students were very engaged and loved talking to our wonderful Director, Community Engagement & Equity, Shiquita Yarbrough, and our amazing RER volunteers about using their voices to fight racism. They made a sign (above) to commemorate their discussion which their teacher hung up in their classroom.

Presentation at Southern Hills Middle School
Our CEO, Debbie Pope, was invited to speak to 180 6th grade students at Southern Hills Middle School in Boulder about how YWCA Boulder County is an active leader in human rights globally, nationally, and locally. The students are doing a project about organizations doing meaningful work to advance human rights. Partner organizations Out Boulder County and Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) also presented to the students.
Save the Date - Hybrid Gala on March 5, 2022
Save the Date for our first hybrid Gala, coming up on Saturday, March 5, 2022!

We'll be celebrating our 100 Year Anniversary with a hybrid Gala: live and in-person at the Boulder Embassy Suites and streamed online, everywhere. Stay tuned for more details!

Help us plan our 2022 Gala!

Please help us plan our 2022 Gala by taking the quick guest survey below. Your feedback will help us craft a mission-fueled evening with appropriate health and safety measures.
Persimmon Giving Tree Gift Drive
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Persimmon Giving Tree Gift Drive this year! We are thrilled to have been able to help so many families with holiday gifts and have such wonderful donor support to donate gifts for all the registered children.

Thanks to our generous community, we were able to brighten the holidays for 161 children with the generous help of 43 donors.

Thank you again to The Greenbriar Inn who partnered with us this year for the gift drive!
Upcoming FREE Incredible Years Class
As part of our commitment to families, Persimmon Early Learning offers Incredible Years® parenting classes. Our next class series will be offered virtually via Zoom on Mondays, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Jan. 24 through May 9 (no class on Feb. 21 or March 21).

This FREE, evidence-based 14-week parenting skills course is offered in the spring and fall of each year for parents of children ages three to six years of age.

Benefits include:

  • Less stressful households
  • Positive parent-child relationships
  • Proven strategies to deal with children’s challenging behaviors
  • Upgrowth of children’s social skills development
  • Enhanced school-readiness for children
  • Increased self-esteem & self-confidence for both parents & children

Classes are free, but registration is required. If you have questions or are interested in registering, please visit: https://www.ywcaboulder.org/family-services/ and fill out our interest form.
Donor Highlight: Kathy and Frank Bousquet
Make a Difference with a Donation of Stock
Thank you to Kathy and Frank Bousquet for their recent gift of stock! Donating stock and appreciated securities, including stock, bonds and mutual funds, is a great way to support YWCA Boulder County's work while often also enjoying significant tax benefits. Kathy and Frank had the following to say about their experience donating stock:

"We are so happy to support YWCA Boulder County and their efforts to provide women with substantive support, particularly by providing high-quality child care, which is often out of reach for families. Donating stock that’s appreciated over years of ownership is simple and can have significant tax advantages for donors! " - Kathy Bousquet

In comparison to donating cash - or selling your appreciated securities and contributing the after-tax proceeds - you may be able to increase your gift and your tax deduction with a gift of stock or appreciated securities!

To learn more or make a gift of stock, please contact Heather Thorwald at hthorwald@ywcaboulder.org.

Note: Gifts of stock are considered in-kind gifts by the Colorado Department of Revenue and are not eligible for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit.
Become a 2022 Annual Sponsor for our 100 Year Anniversary
Join YWCA Boulder County in celebrating 100 years of impact in Boulder County with our 100th Anniversary in 2022! We have a variety of flexible annual corporate sponsorship opportunities that can help your business support one of the oldest nonprofits in Boulder County while also achieving your employee engagement and community marketing goals.

Annual sponsorships can be split between our 2022 events and come with a host of benefits including complimentary tickets, promotion to our supporters and live event mentions. You can also deepen your partnership with a variety of engagement opportunities throughout the year, including event benefits, volunteering with our programs, DIY virtual fundraisers, racial justice trainings, and more!

2022 Event Sponsorship Opportunities:
  • Annual Gala – March 2022
  • *New* Empowered Luncheon – August 2022
  • Dancing with Boulder Stars – November 2022

2021 Year-End Special: Commit to sponsor two events before Jan. 1 and get the third event sponsorship FREE at an equal benefit level to your lowest committed level. We only need your commitment before Jan. 1, and payment can be settled now or in 2022.

If you would like to learn more, please contact Robyn Hazlitt at rhazlitt@ywcaboulder.org.
Advocacy Update
As you may know, the state of Mississippi is working to overturn Roe v. Wade and with it, the reproductive freedom of every woman in America. If successful, this generation would be the nation’s first in almost 50 years to come of age without the constitutional right to abortion care. We cannot let the Supreme Court turn back the clock! Upholding Mississippi’s ban would have devastating consequences for young women, especially young women of color.

Join us and let your voice be heard regarding your reproductive rights. Read YWCA USA's amicus brief bit.ly/2XAtdtg and urge your senators to cosponsor and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act: bit.ly/3EAVSz3
Annual Sponsor Highlight: Alpine Bank
Thank you to Alpine Bank for being our first 2022 Annual Sponsor in honor of our 100 Year Anniversary! Alpine Bank has been a generous and faithful sponsor for several years, and we are thrilled Alpine Bank employees also partner with us in our Reading to End Racism program. Thank you Alpine Bank for being a role model of holistic community partnership!
Persimmon Early Learning - Enrolling Now!
Persimmon Early Learning is enrolling for traditional/permanent child care slots for children eight weeks to six years.

Start the enrollment process today to secure spots for permanent care!

  • Small class sizes and low teacher-student ratios
  • Experiential, play-based program with Storybook Journey curriculum that supports child-led interests and child development
  • Colorado Shines Level 4 rating
  • Highly qualified teaching team works to strengthen all areas of child growth and pre-academic skills including: social-emotional, gross and fine motor, early literacy, STEM, and social studies
  • Twice-yearly parent/teacher conferences and daily communication
  • Daily Active Play, Movement, and Nutrition Lessons with our Wellness Coordinator
  • Healthy snacks and meals prepared daily on-site by our Nutrition Coordinator
  • Certified HEAL (Healthy Eating, Active Living) and Breastfeeding Friendly Program

To schedule a virtual Parent Tour for Persimmon Early Learning, or to begin the enrollment process for your child, please visit our website to fill out an Interest Form. We will follow up with you with tour dates and times.

For additional questions, please email Celina Hernandez at: chernandez@ywcaboulder.org.
Sign up for Persimmon Grove - Our Parent eNews
Once a quarter we bring our Persimmon Early Learning classrooms to you with Persimmon Grove, our eNews for parents. Hear what each classroom has been focused on, and learn nutrition and wellness tips, too!
Staff Spotlight: Tiffany Blanchet
What’s your title?
My title is Latina Achievement Support (LAS) Advocate.

When did you join the team at YWCA Boulder County?
I joined the YWCA Boulder County team in October 2021.

What do you do at the YWCA?
I help coordinate LAS teambuilding events for the upcoming year. Additionally, I help with the STEM E3 program by interacting, encouraging, and helping the students complete their modules.

What's your favorite thing about YWCA Boulder County? 
My favorite thing so far about the YWCA is the people I work with because we all have similar goals in helping our community. Also, they are simply very cool people! I also like how the YWCA does outreach within the community.

What is something people may not know about you?
Something that people may not know about me is that I’m really into weight lifting and looking forward to powerlifting next semester.
We're Hiring!

The Director, Individual Giving & Grants provides innovative and strategic leadership, oversight and execution of revenue growth through multiple channels including individual giving and the grants/planned giving programs. The Director, Individual Giving & Grants will have primary responsibility for leading the organization’s annual giving efforts by setting strategy and executing fundraising plans for our individual giving program. This seasoned engagement professional will leverage the powerful brand of YWCA Boulder County as a member of the leadership team, regular connectivity and voice with the Board of Directors, and managing one FTE staff, portfolio of donors, and community influencers. This is a full-time, flexible schedule position (40 hours per week).
 
  • Early Childhood Education Teachers - Persimmon Early Learning of the YWCA needs ECT-qualified teachers for our new toddler and preschool classrooms. Our staff positions offer a $2,000 signing bonus, competitive pay, small class sizes, paid vacation with over 40 paid holidays yearly, sick leave, low-cost group health and dental coverage, employer-paid retirement plan, discounted child care, continuing education benefits, free RTD buss pass, and more! 

Persimmon Early Learning of the YWCA offers high-quality, affordable child care, and expanded indoor and outdoor learning areas. It provides a nurturing, creative space for children to learn and grow in redesigned and expanded indoor and outdoor learning areas. The program emphasizes parent engagement and education, health equity through scheduled activities and active play time, and good nutrition modeling and activities including diverse and healthy meal plans.

Check our Employment Opportunities page for more information.

For additional info, email Kate Hise at: khise@ywcaboulder.org, or call Persimmon Early Learning: (303) 449-1951.
Share Your Story
Have you, your child or someone you know benefited from a YWCA program or service?

We love sharing personal stories and testimonials with grant funders, donors and in our communications with the community. Please contact Robyn Hazlitt at rhazlitt@ywcaboulder.org to share your story or testimonial.
Happy Holidays!
Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year!

  • Hanukkah (11/28 - 12/6)
  • Kwanzaa (12/6 - 1/1/2022)
  • Winter Solstice (12/21)
  • Christmas (12/25)
  • New Years Eve and New Years Day (12/31/2021 & 1/1/2022)
Upcoming Events
YWCA Boulder County Events

Did you know?
In 2007, YWCA of Trenton, New Jersey, and YWCA Princeton, New Jersey, established the “Stand Against Racism” campaign to raise awareness about the impact of institutional and structural racism and by building community among those who work for racial justice. The campaign quickly spread to 39 states with over a quarter million participants. Stand Against Racism Week now takes place annually in April at YWCAs across the United States.
Thank you City of Boulder Housing and Human Services
Thank you City of Boulder Housing and Human Services Department for your grant funding for Persimmon Early Learning!
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.

Contact us to learn more about donating stock or other assets, donating through your employers giving program or becoming an event sponsor.
Non-cash Ways to Support the YWCA

  • Give from your Donor Advised Fund
  • Shop at smile.amazon.com and select YWCA Boulder County
  • Sign up for King Soopers Community Rewards and select YWCA Boulder County
  • Donate your vehicle to YWCA Boulder County through Vehicles for Charity
  • Buy items from our Amazon Wishlist and ship them directly to our office
YWCA Boulder County | ywcaboulder.org