Blogs

January 11, 2019

We are pleased to provide the following updates:

Join the Women’s March on January 19 in your community

The Women’s March is fast approaching, and we are excited to help you prepare for your local YWCA to turn up and turn out next weekend. YWCA USA has prepared a Women’s March toolkit which includes tips to keep in mind as you prepare for the march, downloadable signs for you to print, and guidance for how to follow up the march with continued action in your community. Feel free to contact field organizer Asha Kuziwa at akuziwa@ywca.org if you have questions or need additional support.

Learn How the Federal Shutdown May Affect Program Funding

The current federal government shutdown will be the longest in history if it continues through the end of this week. Unfunded agencies will soon suspend processing for grant programs that YWCAs across the country rely on including. Take a look at this Federal Shutdown Funding Memo with information on the shutdown’s effect on programs including:

• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Programs
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Programs
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
• School Meals Programs
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Family Violence Prevention Services Act (FVPSA) Programs - not impacted
• Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) - not impacted

Act Now to Get Secretary Devos’s #HandsOffIX

Join YWCA USA in strongly opposing the Department of Education’s proposed changes to Title IX regulations, which would drastically alter how schools respond to sexual harassment. If implemented, this attack on Title IX would make schools more dangerous for all students and especially those most marginalized who already face immense barriers to safety on campus. With only 17 DAYS until the comment period closes, it is critical to join our partners in the #HandsOffIX campaign. Take action now by:

• Host an action party with your networks using resources here
• Retweet this tweet from End Rape on Campus
• Use the End Rape on Campus social media toolkit here

Advocacy Actions of the Week

• Learn More About Our *NEW* Policy and Advocacy Agenda and Priorities: Join our deep dive webinar into the Public Policy and Advocacy Agenda, this Wednesday, January 16 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Register Now! Before the webinar, please take a look at this 2019-2020 Policy and Advocacy Agenda Memo.
• Get to know your 116th Members of Congress: Last week, the 116th Congress became the most diverse in history. Whether your Members of Congress are newly elected or entering their next term, now is a great time to get to know their positions on the issues your YWCA cares about. Head to our Action Center for information on how to find your Members of Congress.

Last Chance to Fill Out 2019 National Conference Survey

We’re extending the deadline! Tell us what you want to see at our upcoming national conference, taking place June 5-8 in Washington, DC, by filling out this survey. As national staff work on planning this biennial conference, we want to know your thoughts, ideas, and feedback. Please fill out the survey by January 18.

Call for UNCSW Delegate Applications

Friendly reminder that applications are open to serve as a YWCA USA delegate for the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), taking place in New York City in March of 2019! Applications must be received by 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 17. Notifications to delegates will be made on or before January 25. After completion of application, please forward your resume, a letter of support and a letter of interest to Lavina Joseph at ljoseph@ywca.org.

Call for YWCA USA Board of Director Nominations

There is still time nominate leaders who align with our values and vision for the YWCA USA Board of Directors for 2019. All nomination submissions must be emailed to boardnominations@ywca.org by close of business on Thursday, January 31. Learn more in the board nomination packet, which includes a "fillable" nomination form to assist candidates in providing the requested information.

YWConnect

YWCA USA recently hosted the first YWConnect of 2019. During this session, YWCA USA CEO Alejandra Castillo and Lester Olmstead-Rose of La Piana presented the beginning results of the Strategic Planning sessions that have been occurring for the past year. We want to make sure you have an opportunity to review everything that was shared, so here you will find a recording of the session and a PDF of the slide deck. We thank those that were able to attend, and we look forward to having further conversations with you on these important issues.

Important Dates

• January 16 at 3:00 p.m. ET: Public Policy and Advocacy Agenda Webinar
• January 17 at 10 p.m. ET: Deadline to apply to serve as YWCA USA UNCSW delegate
• January 18: Deadline to fill out 2019 National Conference Survey
• January 19: 2019 Women’s March
• January 30 at 3 p.m. ET: Policy Priorities Monthly Webinar
• January 31: YWCA Board of Director Nomination Deadline
• April 25-28: Stand Against Racism 2019

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