yw words
For Friends, Members and the Greater St. Paul Community
Spring 2013
rising for change
YW Women Dance in Global Movement to End Violence
On Valentine’s Day, participants in the YWCA Transitional Housing
Program (THP) rose with people around the world to call an end to
violence against women. As part of the movement One Billion Rising,
citizens stood up for equality by dancing in flash mobs that spanned
the globe.
Locally, women from THP joined others in a flash mob near the Hennepin
County Government Center. After learning choreography arranged by
performer Debbie Allen and writing about the ways violence has affected
their lives, the women were ready to dance. “I [decided to] rise because
in my culture women are expected to take abuse from their husbands as a
normal part of life,” shared one THP participant.
Domestic violence plays a significant role in high rates of homelessness
among women. In fact, approximately one in four homeless women in
the U.S. is homeless as a result of domestic violence. “When a woman
leaves an abusive relationship, she often has nowhere to go,” explained
Krissy Zimba, Director of Housing & Supportive Services at the YWCA.
Hoping to move toward a world free of domestic violence and all forms
of abuse, people from more than 200 countries rose up and danced on
February 14. One THP participant shared her enthusiasm for the movement’s success: “It’s exciting to be part of something this big, to see that
so many people want a better world.”
YW Housing participants and staff dance in a Valentine’s Day flash mob as
part of One Billion Rising, a global movement to end violence against women.
YWCA St. Paul
375 Selby Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102-1822
Non - Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAI D
Permit No. 446
Twin Cities, MN
Spring 2013 YWCA St. Paul
within our walls
A Glimpse at Programming and Happenings
Thanks to the generosity and nimble fingers of over 100 people,
we wrapped more than 700 gifts for families fighting homelessness
at the 2012 Holiday Wrapping Party!
15 people are training to earn their Class A Commercial Driver’s
License (CDL) through the YWCA St. Paul! Graduation is scheduled for the end of March.
During Heart Health Week, our members enjoyed a variety of heart healthy activities,
including blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings courtesy of United Hospital.
employment matters
Creating Lasting Change through
Employment & Economic Development
If you follow the news, you already know that a difficult economy and growing racial
disparities pose major challenges to women, children and families. When as an organization,
we took a look at who we serve and the challenges they face, it became clear that we needed
to heighten our focus on services to support and retain employment.
Although this is not new work (over the years, thousands of people have built skills, developed their leadership potential and entered the workforce with help from YWCA programs
and services) it does require a new structure. Moving forward, “Employment & Economic
Development” will replace the department formerly known as “Skills for Life & Work.”
The new department provides a home for existing mission-aligned programs and also for new
and expanded services including: YW Works (our welfare to work program), Commercial
Driver’s License (CDL) training projects, a youth employment program, work readiness
training/certification, and YW Jobs – a new project that will provide ongoing support for job
placement and retention.
Executive Director, William L. Collins, Jr.
The changes reflect a commitment to meet community needs by helping families to create
a path out of poverty. It’s work I am passionate about and news I am proud to share with our
members, friends and supporters.
Thank you for being our partner in changing minds, bodies and lives.
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YWCA St. Paul: Changing Minds, Bodies & Lives
Spring 2013 YWCA St. Paul
driving literacy gains
Girl Scouts Collect Books for Young Readers
This winter, two Girl Scouts generously reached
out to help young people become better readers
at the YWCA. Seventh graders Maria Vitelli and
Claire Connelly organized a book drive at their
school and collected 500 books for kids in the
YW Reads program. Thanks to donations from
students at St. Joseph’s School, the youth have
been able to enjoy new curriculum and add new
stories to their bookshelves at home!
When asked what she liked most about coordinating the drive, Vitelli said, “My favorite part
was bringing the books to the YWCA because I
was happy to see [them] going to kids who need
them.” Donated books help YW Reads students
to develop both skills and a passion for reading.
By participating in fun literacy activities and taking trips to the library, the youth work to ensure
they are reading at grade level by the end of third
grade—a milestone which greatly increases their
chances of graduating from high school.
Girl Scouts Maria Vitelli (left) and Claire Connelly (right) delivered 500 donated books to students
in YW Reads.
Understanding the crucial correlation between
literacy and learning, Connelly and Vitelli were
thrilled to help. “It’s so exciting to see youth supporting other youth,” said Tara Munroe, Academic
Services Manager at the YWCA. “Not only do
our students have new books to read, they’re also
able to see that other young people care about
their success—what an inspiration!”
sweet success
Celebrating the Achievements
of Women, Children & Families
Mark your calendars! Sweet Success is just around the corner.
The celebration will bring together members, donors, volunteers and
friends to celebrate the many successes made possible by YWCA
programs and services.
An hors d’oeuvres and dessert reception, the event will include
a social hour and short program to honor the accomplishments
of four program participants as well as recognize the outstanding
contributions of several volunteers.
The event will take place Monday, May 13, from 5:30 to
7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota History Center on Kellogg Boulevard
in St. Paul. To RSVP or for more information, please contact
Darcie Moore at dmoore@ywcaofstpaul.org or (651) 265-0718.
Mark your calendars! Sweet Success is scheduled for May 13, 2013.
YWCA St. Paul: Changing Minds, Bodies & Lives
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Spring 2013 YWCA St. Paul
celebrating success
A Community of Support
After many ups and downs, including stays at various
Twin Cities homeless shelters, LaTanya enrolled in
the YWCA Transitional Housing Program (THP).
While eager to make a fresh start with her children,
she felt alone and scared.
Once in the program, LaTanya’s fears were quickly
put to rest. “I knew I had a family at the YWCA,”
she said. Through this new community of support, LaTanya learned about her rights as a tenant,
learned to manage her finances and improved her
job search skills. Through it all, YWCA case managers were there to remind her that her hard work
would soon pay off.
LaTanya, THP participant
Within two years, her hard work had paid off:
LaTanya had graduated from THP, began working
as a Personal Care Attendant and moved into a house
with her kids. Today, LaTanya is completing her
associate degree in health and hopes to become a
nurse practitioner. “I’m excited to see what the
next stage of my life brings,” she said.
YWCA Board of Directors
Officers:
President:
Deborah Montgomery
Vice President:
Robin Hickman
Secretary/Treasurer:
Theresa Neal
Members-at-Large:
Todd Axtell
Renee Dotson-Gill
Kerry Geurkink
Steve Halvorsen
Shawntera Hardy
Beverly Jones Heydinger
Allen Krug
Lisa Lissimore
Mickey Moore
Melissa Weldon
Newsletter & Class Catalog
Production Staff
Executive Director:
Managing Editor: Editor:
Graphic Designer:
Writer:
William Collins, Jr.
Connie Bowers-Capen
Darcie Moore
Kelsey Gullickson
Emily Richardson
This newsletter is a publication of the YWCA
St. Paul. For more information on YWCA programs
and services, please call (651) 222-3741 or check
out our web site at ywcaofstpaul.org.
This document is available in alternative formats.
voice your victories
Celebrate Your Accomplishments
Voice Your Victory from March 15 - April 15. Celebrate your accomplishments with a chance to win
a $50 Visa gift card.
Whether learning to read, learning to swim, losing weight, putting homelessness in the past,
or building skills and credentials to help land a new job, people achieve amazing things at
the YWCA St. Paul.
Voice Your Victories invites you—YWCA members, participants and volunteers—to share
and celebrate your accomplishments. Have you changed your mind, body or life as a result
of your involvement in a YWCA program or service? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
From March 15 to April 15, share your story and celebrate your accomplishments. Your victory
may be featured in upcoming YWCA publications and you’ll have the chance to win a $50
Visa gift card.
YWCA St. Paul is dedicated to
eliminating racism, empowering
women and promoting peace,
justice, freedom and dignity for all.
For more information on Voice Your Victories or for a copy of the submission form,
visit tinyurl.com/ywvictory or call Emily Richardson at (651) 265-0792.
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YWCA St. Paul: Changing Minds, Bodies & Lives