Stand with YWCA - Now and in 2021
We have made it to the last month of 2020, and what a year it has been! We were forced to change our lifestyles and habits, including how we work, how we learn, and even how we interact and engage with one another. Through every twist and turn, YWCAs across the country stood together and remained dedicated to the women, girls, families, and communities they serve every day. Much of this work was made possible thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters and people like you who donated over the course of this year and in record numbers on Giving Tuesday.Your support has allowed us to continue to provide for the communities we serve, even in a pandemic. This year, the YWCA network reached over half a million people through various GOTV and civic engagement activities, brought more awareness of our collective racial justice work – engaging over 33 million people through our Until Justice Just Is campaign – and inspired over 7,000 people to take action during our 2020 Week Without Violence, which highlighted the multitude of ways that domestic and gender-based violence impact the lives of all survivors. We also saw record numbers of registrants and attendees to our virtual events and town halls, which have featured Janelle Monae, Stacey Abrams, and many other amazing women!We now ask ourselves the question, “How will the challenges of 2020 continue to transform our work and focus for the future?” YWCA will continue to show up and do the work. We will continue to explore new ways to address the needs of women, girls, and their families as their needs continue to evolve during this year of insurmountable change. As we navigate this change, we are reigniting our Strategic Business Plan to serve as a “north star” and establish a roadmap for achieving our bold vision of a world where all women and girls, especially women and girls of color, are free from racism and sexism and can thrive.I am inviting you to stand with us as we continue to work to make our mission a reality for all people. I ask that you consider joining me by taking the following steps:
- Consider a year-end gift to YWCA USA or a local association. A donation to YWCA will strengthen our network and allow our associations to continue to provide critical services and resources to women, girls, and vulnerable communities when they need it most.
- Second, take action on policies that eliminate racism and empower women. Join our action center to receive legislative action alerts and information on how to engage members of Congress, legislative chambers, and congressional committees on important policies that impact women and girls.
- And finally, engage with us on social media. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest information on our initiatives and the work that each of our associations do every day to drive real change.
The future will be different from what we once imagined as we still face significant uncertainty in the months ahead. But one thing that remains the same is our dedication to stand up for women until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, and until the world sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.Let’s continue to pivot and blaze new trails for the future together.Looking forward to 2021,Alejandra Y. CastilloCEO, YWCA USA
 Watch YWomenVote 2020: A Conversation with Georgia's Women Virtual Town Hall & Candidate Forum Yesterday, YWCA of Greater Atlanta and YWCA USA held a Virtual Town Hall and Candidate Forum exploring the economic security, child care, and racial justice issues that matter most to the women of Georgia.Guest speakers such as Stacey Abrams and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms urged the importance of voter engagement and inspired attendees to get out and vote. In a powerful and inspiring opening keynote, Stacey Abrams said "The right to vote is not just an act of engagement. It is an act of power. It is how we make certain that our voices are heard, that our needs are met, and that those who speak for us say what we need them to say." If you missed the Virtual Town Hall and Candidate Forum, click here to view the full video.Also, we hope that you will encourage your colleagues, family, friends, and loved ones in the state of Georgia to take advantage of early voting and make sure they get out to vote on January 5th. |
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Tell Congress We Need #Relief4CharitiesToday, members of Congress continue to negotiate a COVID-19 stimulus relief proposal, sending their strongest signals to date that Congress is on the verge of breaking through a months-long stimulus stalemate. In a positive sign, leaders met on Tuesday to discuss final details of a stimulus package and continue to work through major areas of disagreement. As we anxiously await passage of a COVID-19 bill, time continues to slip away and the deadline to pass the package is quickly approaching. Once again, Congress must fund the government by Friday, December 18, which will also serve as the vehicle to move the COVID-19 relief package. YWCA USA continues to monitor daily developments and we look forward to keeping you updated on its impact.YWCAs remain on the front lines of the pandemic providing lifesaving assistance throughout their communities. As Congress continues talks around a COVID-19 stimulus relief bill, we know that the time to influence negotiations and strengthen support for YWCAs is now! Join us in telling your members of Congress to include at least $50 billion in dedicated child care funding. Then, take action with over 4,000 nonprofit organizations and call for support for housing and domestic violence providers among other priorities to aid frontline workers.The time to make your voice heard is now! Join us in calling for Congress to support the nonprofit sector in the next COVID-19 stimulus relief package! #Relief4Charities |
| YWCA Spotlights: The Work We Do This month, we are excited to spotlight YWCA Houston and their Centers For Senior Life program, which offers life-enhancing programs and other resources to seniors 60 and over. Just in time for the holidays, YWCA Houston’s Meals on Wheels Program is bringing love and cheer to seniors with its annual Senior Christmas Socks & Throws Drop Off Event.YWCA Houston serves seniors in 17 zip codes – assisting 1,500 seniors daily – and they need your help. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can spread joy by donating Christmas items to vulnerable seniors who may feel left behind or forgotten. You can provide extra care and make this season a little brighter for seniors by donating toiletries, face masks, Clorox wipes, throw blankets, books, and other items.Visit the Center for Senior Life website for more details on communities being served by YWCA Houston. For more information on how to donate to the Senior Christmas Socks & Throws Drop Off Event, click here. | |
| Tis' the Season for Holiday GivingWe’re in the season of giving. Now more than ever, people are in need as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and as unemployment rates reach an all-time high. YWCAs across the country continue to stand on the front lines of the pandemic by serving more than 2 million women, girls, and their families. Our goal is to ensure that YWCA local associations can continue to deliver critical assistance as quickly as possible, including safe and sterile testing sites, child care, meals for children and the elderly, and housing for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.With more than 200 YWCAs serving 45 states and the District of Columbia, we are doing our best to continue providing support to women and their families – but we need your support. We hope you’ll consider giving back this season and helping our communities by making a donation to YWCA USA or to a local association, or by volunteering at a YWCA local association near you. | |
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