Blogs

SAVE THE DATE – National #DayOfAction on June 5

On Wednesday, June 5, we’re joining together for a National Day of Action to demand protection and investment in federal funding for domestic violence and sexual assault services and prevention. These critical services are a lifeline for victims, and right now they are at risk. Lives are on the line. Programs are closing. Congress must act.

Informal Consultation and Technical Assistance with Real Estate Services 

Real estate and affordable housing are vast fields with many specialties. No one person or company can know it all so it will be important for Real Estate Services (RES) to identify resources (free and paid) that can help guide you through various projects and scenarios. To facilitate an equitable distribution of information, RES will populate the YWCA USA Housing Intranet site with articles, resources such as Technical Assistant (TA) providers, thought leadership, and funding opportunities. We invite you to come to the Intranet with questions, insights, and resources. RES will manage the YWCA USA Housing Intranet site and endeavor to make it a useful forum.  

RES endeavors to help Member affiliates resolve issues, find funding, and to have a stronger hand when engaging with developers, real estate agents, and other real estate service providers. Another important goal is to provide information that assists Members in optimizing their real estate holdings for the benefit of its services and bottom line. It is well known in the community development field that nonprofits often wade into real estate development with big hearted missions but not enough expertise or guidance to protect their organizations.

Please reach out to Kimberly T. Henderson, Vice President, Real Estate and Facilities for an informal consultation. 

Phone: (202) 559-7019; Email: khenderson@ywca.org

Honoring Lisa Forever’s Lifelong Fight for Housing Justice

YWCA Delaware’s Lisa Forever, Chief Housing Officer, was recently honored by the New Castle County Council with the “Community Advocate & Matriarch” Award.

This powerful recognition reflects Lisa’s decades of unwavering commitment to housing justice and her profound impact on families across Delaware. Her work exemplifies what it means to eliminate racism, empower women, and build stronger, more equitable communities. Lisa brings compassion, strategy, and fierce dedication to every aspect of her leadership. We are proud to celebrate this well-earned honor with her—and inspired by her as a shining light in the YWCA movement.

YWCA Network Letter to Congress

Last week YWCA USA, along with 82 YWCAs from 36 states, sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations committees – the committees which oversee funding for YWCA programs and services – urging them to fully fund essential funding streams for YWCAs including the Family Violence Prevention and Service Program (FVPSA), the Victims of Crime (VOCA) Act, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Head Start, the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).  

Next PPA & Network Meeting: EARLY LEARNING/CHILD CARE

Please click here to register for an upcoming call covering Head Start and other critical funding streams related to your early learning and child care work on Wednesday, June 4, 4-5 pm ET. 

YWCA Hanover Pre-K Graduates Shine in Persimmon

YWCA Hanover celebrated Pre-K Graduation on Friday, May 16. These bright young grads are ready for kindergarten—looking sharp in persimmon!

A Relaunch! The Allstate Foundation's Moving Ahead Curriculum 

Do you provide direct support to survivors who have experienced financial abuse? This webinar is for you! Join us for a discussion on The Allstate Foundation’s survivor-informed approach to reimagining the "Moving Ahead Curriculum." 

Moderated by Sharisse Kimbro, Relationship Abuse, Program Officer, for The Allstate Foundation, this panel will explore how advocates and survivors shaped the revision process, ensuring it remains trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and actionable. 
Panelists will share insights on key updates, the shift from "curriculum" to "Workbook," and how these changes enhance accessibility and real-world application. 

This is also a unique opportunity for DV program staff to explore the updated Workbook live, see its tools in action, and learn how to bring it into your own advocacy work.  

Panelists: 

• Tonya Lovelace 
• Lovelace Consulting Services, Inc. 
• President & CEO 
• Shan Huang  
• WomanKind 
• Associate Director, Special Programs 
• K. Tony Korol-Evans 
• Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence 
• Training & Special Projects Administrator 
• Monique Tinglin  
• The Allstate Foundation 
• Manager, Social Impact & Strategic Programs 

The webinar will be offered on the following dates at 3 p.m. ET. Each webinar will feature the same moderator and panelists, so you only need to attend once.  

Follow the link to register.  

June 18 - Webinar Link
August 27 - Webinar Link
October 22 - Webinar Link  

2025 YWCA Annual Business Meeting

YWCA USA Board Secretary Ashlee J. Davis, JD gave electronic notice of the Annual Business Meeting from secretary@ywca.org on Friday, May 2, 2025. The 2025 YWCA Annual Business Meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 1:30 – 3 p.m. ET.

Review the Annual Business Meeting materials here on the YWCA intranet. If you have any questions after reading the FAQs, please don't hesitate to contact your Member Services Director or email the Secretary inbox at secretary@ywca.org.

 Important Dates for Your Calendar

*Click the Link for Additional Resources and Tools

• May: Asian American Pacific Islander Awareness Month
• June: Pride Month
• June 3: National Gun Violence Awareness Day
• June 4: YWCA USA PPA & Network Meeting at 4 p.m. ET
• June 5: National Day of Action
• June 6: Deadline to Register Your Voting Delegate\
• June 18: Annual Business Meeting at 1:30 p.m. ET

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

Please follow YWCA USA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Does your local association have new staff members?

Please have them first register to access the YWCA Intranet and then sign up to receive the Weekly Wrap-Up to get all the updates from YWCA USA!