November 9, 2018
We are pleased to provide the following updates:
YWCA’s GOTV Engagement
Over 120 YWCAs in 37 states and D.C, mobilized their communities to get to the polls this week. After months engaging in get out the vote efforts from voter registration, candidate forums, voter protection work, phone banking and providing election day support. We have collectively empowered thousands of women, people of color and other marginalized communities to use their voice and their vote to influence change in this country. We are excited to learn more about just how each of you supported your communities this election season. Please take a moment to give us feedback, so that we can continue to celebrate your success and measure our collective power.
Election Highlights:
Tuesday, November 6, was a historic election night, with record-breaking victories from women and people of color both on the ballot and in voter turnout. An unprecedented number of women ran in the 2018 midterm elections, many for the first time, and women won more seats in Congress than ever before. More than 100 women were elected to office, including over 40 women of color. This would not have been possible without the tremendous civic engagement efforts of organizations like the YWCA. We are proud of the achievements we’ve made as well as energized for continued practice in civic engagement and the fight for a more equitable country. To see more highlights from this election cycle, including many historic firsts, read YWCA USA’s full election summary as well as the YWCA USA election press release.
YWCA USA Welcomes New Staff
We are excited to announce the addition of three new members to our YWCA USA team. In our effort to strengthen our organization’s capacity and reach, we have recruited dedicated and driven professionals to help our organization continue on a path to national relevance, service, and impact. On Monday, November 12, we will welcome Marie Therese Dominguez, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, to join YWCA USA’s senior leadership team. Later this month, Asha Kuziwa will join YWCA USA’s Public Policy and Advocacy team as Field Organizer, and Saida Agostini will join the Member Services team as Director of Capacity Building. We will be updating the website with their bios. Please join us in welcoming our new team members.
Advocacy Actions of the Week
ACA Open Enrollment for 2019 is Here - Let’s Get Our Communities Enrolled! The 2019 annual Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period began LAST WEEK on November 1 and will end on December 15, 2018. Community members can visit healthcare.gov to sign up for an individual marketplace plan and Get Covered America to find a local, in-person assister to answer questions and help them enroll.
Congratulations, YWCA Greater Los Angeles
The TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund awarded 18 grants totaling $750,000 to support nonprofit organizations across the country serving low-wage workers who have experienced sexual harassment and related retaliation in the workplace. YWCA Greater Los Angeles through its Job Corps, Digital Learning Academy and Workforce Readiness Residential programs will offer informational workshops addressing workplace sexual harassment, related retaliation and worker rights to young workers.
Help Shape YWCA’s 2019 Policy Priorities - Complete the Survey Today!
Thank you to the 142 YWCAs who’ve submitted their responses to the public policy priorities survey so far! Now we need to hear from everyone else to make sure our priorities and advocacy are informed by the entire YWCA network. Each CEO/ED has received the survey via email - we have extended the deadline to TODAY, November 9 and we hope you continue to submit your responses. Have questions? Email Caitlin Lowry at advocacy@ywca.org.
Week Without Violence Feedback Survey
As we begin to think about new ideas and strategies for next year’s Week Without Violence, we encourage you all to fill out this survey, so that we can make next year’s campaign bigger and better! Your feedback is very important to us, so we ask that you make it as detailed as possible. Please have this survey filled out by November 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Saryn Francis at sfrancis@ywca.org.
Opportunity for YWCAs to feature amazing kids in your community!
A large network is looking for amazing kids to feature on a new TV series, and they need YWCA’s help! They are searching for kids, ages 8-12, who are making a significant impact (big or small) in their community. Learn more about this opportunity in this one-pager. If you know any such kids in your community, please full out our survey! Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Google BOLD Internships
The Building Opportunities for Leadership & Development (BOLD) Immersion Program is an all-expenses-paid program the week of August 5th, 2019 at Google’s Mountain View headquarters. The program is designed to provide exposure to the technology industry for students who have been historically underrepresented in this field. Selected participants will learn more about non-technical career opportunities at Google and grow their professional and peer networks. The robust program will include tech talks, skills-building seminars and, of course, fun!
The BOLD Immersion application consists of a resume, a short essay, and an unofficial transcript. For more information, please review the BOLD Immersion FAQs here. The application, linked here, is due by Friday, February 1, 2019 at 11:59 pm PT. Questions about the program can be directed to boldimmersion@google.com.
Important Dates
Questions about what you read today? Contact communications@ywca.org.
#WeeklyWrap-up#NationalCommunications