May 18, 2018
We are pleased to provide the following updates:
Message from Kathleen McGilvray, CEO, YWCA of Hawai'i Island
Despite ongoing eruption of the Kilauea Volcano, YWCA operations continue as usual on Hawaii Island. Offices in Hilo and Kona are open for our regular schedule and we are monitoring air quality, Civil Defense and Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory messages. Over 20 homes have been lost and 1,700 are evacuated with additional areas under voluntary evacuation. We all are devastated for those families who are evacuated and uncertain about when they will return and support for each of them is needed. If you want to help the evacuees and the community, consider donating to Red Cross in Hilo, Salvation Army in Hilo, or contact me and I would be happy to connect you with more grassroots organizations or women who have been displaced.
However, here is some perspective on the safety of the rest of the Island. Our island is huge, 4028 square miles, the eruption area is relatively isolated and about six miles long, four square miles. It is 20 miles from Hilo and 70 miles from Kona. Less than one percent of our population and land area are affected. For most of our 190,000 residents, business is normal.
Select Workshops for LCBI
Workshops are already filling up for the 2018 Leadership & Capacity Building Institute. Hold your place by signing up in advance using the conference website.
Upcoming Movie Event
We are excited to partner with Steve Pemberton and YWCA Metropolitan Chicago on the May 30 simulcast of A Chance in the World which explores one boy’s interaction with the foster system. Find an event near you.
Support the Reauthorization of FVPSA
Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the Senate to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)! Tell your Senators that you care about funding for programs that serve victims and survivors of family, domestic, and dating violence by taking action. We will follow-up with further actions to take to support victims and survivors once legislation is introduced in the House.
Join the 2018 Purple Purse Challenge
Registration is open Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge. Now in its fifth year, the challenge is a friendly fundraising competition in October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It's a great way to raise funds and awareness in your community to help survivors find a safe way out from abuse. YWCA Evanston/North Shore was the 2017 Winner (division I). Complete the application by August 1.
USOW Reflections
Read these great blogs by YWCA representatives who joined us in Los Angeles for the United State of Women Summit.
Got a birth control story?
Nearly 98% of sexually active women in the United States use some form of birth control at some point. Birth control is incredibly important for people of all genders for a variety of reasons. Our friends over at the National Women’s Law Center are collecting stories about how birth control has makes a difference in our lives and how some have struggled to afford it. Share your story.
New in the Resource Library
Twenty-three new YWCA mission-related reports, research summaries and fact sheets have been posted in the YWCA Online Resource Library, including:
See the New Postings Index and the complete Resource Library Index for descriptions and live links for all resources.
YWConnect
Join us on Tuesday, May 29 at 2:00 p.m. ET, for a YWConnect discussion which will cover exciting YWCA USA initiatives. Registration is open now!
Important Dates
Questions about what you read today? Contact communications@ywca.org.
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