In this edition: YWCA Delaware: A Year in Photos, Celebrating YW Leaders from Archmere Academy, Inside an Intern's Experience at SARC, New Homeownership Workshops Revealed, and Review our 2024 Legislative Recap.

THANK YOU!

Dear Peggy,

As the year draws to a close, I’m reminded of the incredible journey we’ve shared in 2024—a year filled with challenges, triumphs, and moments that highlight the power of community. At YWCA Delaware, our commitment to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all remains steadfast.

365 Days a Year, 24 Hours a Day –

Our shelter doors welcome those seeking refuge, providing a foundation of health and safety for families rebuilding their lives. Our case managers guide individuals from uncertainty to confidence as they pursue healthy relationships, financial independence and housing stability.

At every hour, our phones connect survivors to counseling and advocacy, ensuring support when it’s needed most. 

Through our youth programs, we empower students to advocate for themselves and champion justice in their schools and communities.

From workshops on social justice and financial empowerment to homeownership education and health fairs, we meet people where they are—in person or virtually, on weekdays or weekends—ensuring access and opportunity for all.

We are in your communities, working on advisory boards, attending events, and often volunteering alongside you. For 129 years, this spirit of service has defined us, and this year was no exception.

The Heart of It All – You

None of this would be possible without you—our supporters, donors, volunteers, and community partners. Together, we’ve empowered over 8,000 Delawareans to overcome barriers and achieve their dreams in 2024.

As we step into 2025, we're celebrating the lives changed, the barriers broken, and the futures made brighter through our shared efforts. Thank you for participating in our programs and advocacy efforts, volunteering, and supporting our essential services through our annual fundraising efforts. Your kindness makes our mission possible. If you're able to support us in continuing this vital work, please click here to donate now and transform lives today.

May this holiday season bring you peace, joy, and the knowledge that you are an integral part of a movement shaping a better tomorrow. We look forward to partnering with you in the year ahead to create an even greater impact.

With deepest gratitude,

Melissa Gonville

Chief Executive Officer

YWCA Delaware

Celebrating Leadership and Social Change with YW Leaders from Archmere Academy

YWCA Delaware proudly congratulates the YW Leaders winter class of 20 graduates from Archmere Academy! Over 12 weeks, these changemakers mastered a curriculum designed to prepare them as catalysts for social justice:

Akilah Yu, Amaila Welch, Andres Ramos, Angela Zhang, Ehren Thomas, Emily Juarez, Gian Carlo Flaherty, Justin Townsend, Kingsley Muir, Lauren Nguyen, Megan Shaposky, Michael Jang, Michael Malozzi, Nicole Tsaganos, Nikita Malik, Nyla Nkemta, Olivia Beatty, Shamone Gosa, Valentina Ramos, and Zoe Thorton.

Since 2022, over 60 Archmere Academy students have joined the YW Leaders program. Fun fact: 100% of our YW Leaders Archmere alumni continue DEI and social justice work in college.

We are sending our warmest thank you to community leaders: Aleya Taylor, Canon Lloyd S. Casson, Dr. Deandra Taylor, Dr. Margo Lewis-Jah, Ebon Thomas, Hayat Nasru Omar, Jalyn Powell, Kalli Tsagano, Maria Matos, Marie Welch Haag, Misty Seemans, Ms. McClenton, Nagela Nukuna, Representative Melissa Minor-Brown, and Senator Sarah McBride, for participating in student-led interviews and for inspiring our students during their training. We're excited to see these graduates lead the way!

2024 YWCA Delaware Advocacy and Legislative Recap

As the year comes to an end, we're reflecting on the strides we’ve made toward creating a more just and equitable society. In 2024, we supported over 55 pieces of legislation that advanced racial and social justice, housing security, health equity, and economic empowerment.

By offering public comment, standing in solidarity with partners, and advocating for change, we helped push forward meaningful reforms and invite you to explore some of our accomplishments in our 2024 legislative recap.

Women Empowering Women - Explore Free Economic Empowerment Workshops Available in 2025

Women in the United States were able to open a bank account on their own in 1974 after the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). 50 years later, 24% of first-time home buyers were single females. While women still face roadblocks in buying homes and building home equity, YWCA Delaware is committed to providing the educational resources to help women and families prepare for and achieve homeownership. 

To explore our schedule of free upcoming economic empowerment workshops, open to all individuals ages 18 and older, please visit ywcade.org/events.