Blogs

We want to thank you once more for your efforts to eliminate racism and empower women -- our work is as important as ever. We are writing to share a number of important updates on our projects and programs from the past week.

Empowering Women and Lifting Diverse Voices: We Must Stand Together

This past Thursday, YWCA USA joined VoteRunLead, IGNITE, and United State of Women to support U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib. Please read and share our joint statement.

YWCA El Paso del Norte Region to Host Delegation at the Border

In light of the continued humanitarian crisis along the Southwest Border, YWCA El Paso del Norte Region, in collaboration with YWCA USA and Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), will convene a gathering of key national philanthropic organizations, journalist, and elected officials. This convening will take place in El Paso, Texas, from July 29 through July 31. Together, YWCA and HIP will bring critical attention to the current impact caused by the Administration's family separation policy and shine a spotlight on the role of nonprofit organizations that help address the growing crisis.

Sylvia Acosta, ED of YWCA El Paso del Norte Region, has taken the lead to design the agenda and arrange for some important visits to locations along the southwest border. Please note this delegation will visit areas and locations that might be deemed emotionally or psychologically difficult to process. We are slated to visit some high security facilities and also enter Mexico (a valid passport is required).  

Given the nature of the delegation, YWCA USA will sponsor three YWCA Association EDs or CEOs who are interested in being part of this gathering by covering the cost of your hotel and travel up to $1,500. If other YWCA Associations are interested and willing to cover their hotel and lodging expenses, we will make your interests known to Sylvia Acosta, who will determine whether there is space to accommodate the additional requests. Email Pam Yuen at PYuen@ywca.org to get further information on how to apply for selection.  

UN Civil Society Conference

YWCA USA is excited to participate in the upcoming 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, from August 26 to 28. This is the first time YWCA is engaged in this important gathering. This year’s theme is “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Communities.” YWCA will host two sessions during the conference: “Cultivating Youth Leadership in the Fight to End Gender-Based Violence” and “The SNHU Center for New Americans at YWCA NH: Collaboration to Help Refugees and Immigrants Access Education and Support Services.”

For additional details on the conference please click here.

YWCA to Host 24th Annual Week Without Violence

Please mark your calendars for our Week Without Violence 2019, which will be held on Monday, October 14 through Friday, October 18. Week Without Violence is part of a global movement to end violence against women and girls throughout the world. For the past 24 years, YWCA has set aside one week in October to promote this campaign. We encourage our associations and partners to host events, share information, and advocate, because together, we can end gender-based violence. 

You will be able to register for #WWV19 begining on Friday, August 16. Our fact sheets will include such topics as Housing & Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Immigration & GBV, Child Sexual Abuse, LGBTQ+ Survivors of GBV, Firearms & GBV, Veteran Survivors, and Technology & Gender-Based Violence. Our advocacy toolkit will guide you as you plan your event, develop relationships with partners, and promote your work to end gender-based violence via traditional and social media.

Gender-based violence recognizes a spectrum of violence, including but not limited to, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and harassment. At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally and that some victims go unrecognized altogether.

Requesting Proposals for the Selection of a Project Manager to Support YWCA USA in the Implementation of the STEM Google Grant

YWCA USA is now requesting proposals for the selection of a project manager to support its implementation of the STEM Google Grant. This innovative program, which focuses on economic empowerment and advancement, is Google’s CS First Curriculum for middle school aged students of color. 

We are seeking to identify a consultant organization and project manager, who will be responsible for providing YWCA USA and designated YWCAs with STEM capacity, programmatic, and technical assistance. Local associations may apply and are encouraged to share this information with their staff, volunteers, clients, and networks.

Some of the participating YWCA sites include Brooklyn, Queens, Orange County (CA), Northern New Jersey, Glendale, Greater Los Angeles, San Antonio, Greenwich, and Metropolitan Chicago.

For those who are interested, please click here. Proposals must be submitted to Tycely Williams, Vice President of Development, YWCA USA at twilliams@ywca.org no later than 5 p.m. ET on Friday, August 16, 2019. Please also email Tycely Williams directly with any questions.

Minimum Wage Bill Through the House 

On Thursday, July 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582) by a vote of 231-199! This bill would gradually increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour by 2025, and then require that minimum wage to increase based upon changes in overall wages. It also takes important steps to protect tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and young workers. It also takes important steps to protect tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and young workers.

The House has done its job, and now the Senate must do its job. Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to urge your Senator to support working families by passing the Raise the Wage Act NOW!

Resources to Strengthen Your Fundraising

YWCA USA is pleased to announce a partnership with Penelope Burk, the internationally best-selling author of “Donor-Centered Fundraising and Donor-Centered Leadership.”

Your YWCA may participate -- at no cost -- in the 2019 Burk Donor Survey. You will not be required to share any donor information. You will receive a link to share with your donors, and at the close of the survey, you will receive findings specific to your donors.

Join Penelope Burk for an informational webinar about the 2019 Burk Donor Survey on July 31 at 3 p.m. ET. Learn more and register by July 30. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your fundraising!

Coming Next Week: YWCA’s Data Map

The launch of our interactive data map is now scheduled for next week. Sorry for the increase in suspense!

Continue Supporting VAWA Reauthorization on Social Media

YWCA USA is fighting hard for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). 

Don’t forget to show your support for this vital piece of legislation by posting one #VAWA2019 and #VAWA4All tweet a week on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. ET until the end of August. This is an easy way to keep up the pressure for VAWA and show solidarity with our national partners at the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

Use this toolkit for tweets that can be easily adapted to be more general, and to urge your Senators to stand up for #VAWA4All! 

YWCA 101 Webinar

Our next YWCA 101 webinar is set for Tuesday, August 13 at 2 p.m. ET. This is a great opportunity for local association staff and board members to learn all about the YWCA in just one hour! Click this link to register. Topics include:

• Our rich history and legacy
• Our Mission Impact Framework
• Our national scale and reach
• 2019 initiatives, including highlights of our new Strategic Business Plan
• The World YWCA
• Qualities associated with highly successful associations
• Resources and tools available to support local association leaders 

YWCA USA is Hiring!
We are searching for two creative, driven, can-do members to join our Communications and Marketing team. Know of a strong candidate for our 

Digital Media Specialist and Communications Associate opportunities? Please help us recruit as we search for inspired storytellers with a strong marketing background.

To apply: please email your resume to jobs@ywca.org with "Digital Media Specialist" or "Communications Associate" as the subject line.

Organize Your Butterflies: “Proven Steps to Startup Success”

Did you know that four out of every ten businesses in the United States are owned by women? The focus of our #YWCAButterflies podcast is currently on women entrepreneurs. Our episode "Proven Steps to Startup Success" includes tips from our guests on how to use innovative ideas to launch successful startups.

Listen now and help spread the word on social media using #YWCAButterflies.

Our guest speakers include Bridgett Gagné, CEO, Gagné Associates CPAs PLLC and Co-Founder, Not Your Average Bean Counter (NYABC) and Margarita Dilone, Chairman of the Board, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and President/CEO, Crystal Insurance Group.

Staying Nonpartisan this Election Season: Rules for 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organizations
As we all gear up for our 2019 Get Out the Vote Initiative and the 2020 census, it's more important than ever that we remain vigilant about what we may and may not do as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

Join the Nonprofit Vote Webinar on July 31 as David Levitt of Adler & Colvin walks us through the Do's and Don'ts of nonprofit voter engagement activity! 

From voter registration to candidate engagement, social media to personal time, you have a lot of questions. Get them answered and move forward confidently with your voter engagement plans!

SHIFT – An AMEND Together Conference
YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is hosting the first-ever national conference on violence against women and healthy masculinity on September 9-10 in Nashville.

Keynote and featured speakers include Time Magazine’s 2017 Person of the Year and “Silence Breaker” Terry Crews, survivor and activist Brenda Tracy, and YWCA USA CEO Alejandra Y. Castillo. SHIFT – An AMEND Together Conference will bring together business, civic, nonprofit, faith, and amateur and professional athletic leaders to learn about changing culture, healthy masculinity, and sexual assault and harassment prevention, as well as the latest updates on Title IX.

AMEND Together is a YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee-based program aimed at changing culture by engaging and educating boys and men on healthy masculinity, respect, and violence prevention. Learn more.

Organize Your Butterflies is the #1 Nonprofit on Apple Podcast!
Thanks to all of you for your amazing support with promoting our podcast!

This week Organize Your Butterflies made the top spots for New & Noteworthy Non-Profit Podcasts and New & Noteworthy Government Organizations Podcasts.

Please keep listening and sharing!

Important Dates

• Wednesday, July 24: Stand up for #VAWA4All on Twitter
• Thursday, July 25: Organize Your Butterflies new episode released on Women Entrepreneurship
• Monday, July 29 - Wednesday, July 31: YWCA El Paso del Norte Region to Host Delegation at the Border
• Tuesday, August 13: YWCA 101 Webinar
• Friday, August 16: RFP deadline for Stem Project Manager
• Friday, August 16: Registration opens for #WWV19
• Monday, October 14 - Friday, October 18: Week Without Violence

Questions about what you read today? Contact communications@ywca.org.