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news/events our voice e-newsletter february 2010

Through “Our Voice” we hope to give you a voice. 

It is in chorus that we can realize a community that is committed to inclusiveness and empowerment; one in which women and children live free from the threat of victimization; one that thrives because we are encouraged to achieve the richness of our humanity.

The YWCA’s e-newsletter provides our friends and community information about violence against women and children, women’s well-being, the role we all play in eliminating racism, and most importantly how you can make a difference.

IN THIS ISSUE

Your Investments: YWCA Services...

Get Involved...

Focus on Diversity...

Mark Your Calendar...

Special Thanks To...

ARTICLES

Your Investments: YWCA Services...

YWCA Earns High Marks for Work on Behalf of Victims
Chosen to Participate in Nationwide Pilot Program

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The Council on Accreditation has chosen your YWCA to participate in a pilot review process reserved solely for organizations that have acheived exemplary scores in their previous 2 accreditation reviews.  The YWCA was 1 of just 12 organizations in the country selected.  Aptly titled, "Focused Accreditation", the YWCA will undergo a streamlined evaluation against best-practice standards in its clinical work, as well as, its administrative operations and fundraising activities.

The Council on Accreditation works with approximately 1,800 private and public organizations that serve more that 7 million individuals and families in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, England and the Philippines.

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YWCA Partners with Dwelling Place to Reach More Domestic Violence Victims
Bridge Street Place To Open This Month

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The YWCA and Dwelling Place have worked collaboratively for two years to convert what was formerly a transitional housing program - My Sister’s House - to an apartment complex dedicated to providing long-term domestic violence housing. In late February, Bridge Street Place will formally open. With 16 units of housing, including 2 that are barrier-free, laundry, storage, daily on-site case management, and an advanced security system, it is our community's only program designed to exclusively support single domestic violence survivors without children. Dwelling Place will provide the daily case management of clients and general oversight of the complex.  The YWCA, as our community's identified assessor for domestic violence issues, has dedicated staff to screen all potential clients from throughout our community for entry into the program. 

For information about program openings, contact Andrea Jackson at ajackson@ywcawcmi.org.

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Domestic Violence Victims Gain A New Ally in Health Care
YWCA Partners with Grand Rapids Women's Health, P.C.

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Stereotypes of domestic violence victims rarely include images of those who otherwise lead lives of material privilege.  Yet domestic violence is all too common in our community's highest economic brackets and seemingly tranquil suburban homes. The unfortunate truth is that such exclusiveness actually isolates these victims from the help they need. The social service, judicial, emergency medical, and law enforcement systems that are trained to identify domestic violence victims and connect them to emergency and support services, rarely interact with victims from upper middle class and wealthy backgrounds.

A place - frequented by women with financial means - that is also safe and trusted, was needed.  The YWCA and Grand Rapids Women's Health, P.C. located in the Women's Health Center on Michigan Street in Grand Rapids have worked for more than a year to that end. 

The GRWH's medical staff is well-positioned to help victims.  The YWCA provided training to GRWH medical staff earlier, equipping them with the skills to identify and effectively respond to their patients who are abused.  This month, the partnership takes an important added step as a YWCA therapist begins working on-site at the Center.  The aim is to immediately connect patients to the YWCA and our range of victim services including the Nurse Examiner Program's medical-forensic services, crisis counseling, support groups and longer-term therapy. While our partnership will initially focus on domestic violence victims, it is designed to evolve to also support victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse in the future.

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Donors Create Environments That Help Victims Heal -- Part I

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Spearheaded this fall by Paula Fogarty of Paula Scott Unlimited, the YWCA was the grateful beneficiary of a much-needed makeover for our Nurse Examiner Program suite, now in its 14th year of use.  Annually, 250 victims of sexual assault and domestic violence receive medical-forensic examinations in the space.  The renovation which consisted of new paint, carpet, window treatments, artwork, and furniture transformed the suite. Special thanks goes to:

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Donors Create Environments that Help Victims Heal -- Part II

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The kitchen is the center of life in most homes. The love and laughter felt there radiates throughout.  This summer, several YWCA friends stepped forward to ensure that the families living at the YWCA's domestic violence shelter had just such a place. A 'down to the bare walls' renovation of the shelter's kitchen replaced broken cabinets, chipped countertops, torn flooring, and worn out appliances.  Designed to withstand use by over 500 women and children annually, it is now outfitted with commercial-grade materials and equipment while exhibiting the kind of warmth you'd find in any traditional home.

The kitchen project proved so inspiring that an anonymous donor initiated additional, much-needed improvements in other areas of the shelter. The shelter's dining and living rooms have been repainted, given new furniture, lighting, and window treatments.  Renovations are also being made to the space where victims meet with the YWCA's Family Advocates upon their arrival. This month, the staff area will be reconfigured and updated with new office furniture.

In total, the effect is a more soothing, comforting, and uplifting environment that expresses respect for the families who are working so hard to move forward.  Special thanks goes to:

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2009 TRIBUTE! Awards Another Big Hit: See Honorees' Videos

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With close to 900 guests in attendance on November 5th, the YWCA celebrated the induction of 7 new honorees into the TRIBUTE! Celebration sorority. Video vignettes of each award recipient are posted on the YW's website.  See why the YWCA chose these exceptional women! 

Almost $80,000 (net) was raised in support of the YWCA's services.  Special thanks go to our lead sponsors: 

Fifth Third Bank 

Cheryl Grant, Realtor  

Steelcase Inc.  

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YWCA Announces 2009 - 2010 Board of Directors

The YWCA has a history of strong leadership in our community.  We’re delighted that the following individuals are at the helm this year to continue that tradition.

Officers and Committee Chairs

  • Elsa Kerr, Board President
  • Ingrid Jensen, Vice Chair
  • Deb Schutmaat, Treasurer
  • Shlynn Rhodes, Secretary and Nominating/ Board Governance Committee Co-Chair
  • Jessica Murphy and Lisa DeFerrari, Fund Development Committee Co-Chairs
  • Kristin Vanden Berg, Nominating/ Board Governance Committee Co-Chair
  • Caroline “Carla” Blinkhorn, CEO

Board Members

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2010 Will Be A Very Good Year...
YWCA West Central Michigan Marks 110th Anniversary

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One hundred and ten!  That's quite a milestone and one definitely worth celebrating. 

Stay tuned! More details will follow in the coming months.

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YWCA Expands its Mission

Last fall, the YWCA's Board of Directors voted unanimously to expand the YWCA's mission so that it more accurately reflects YWCA efforts and better aligns with the National YWCA's own mission which was adopted in the spring.  Recognizing our prevention work through Girls Inc. at the YWCA West Central Michigan, the new mission now includes "girls" in the statement "Empowering Women and Girls". Additionally, the final statement was updated from "Advocating for Justice and Equality" to "Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom, and Dignity for All" and mirrors the language contained in the YWCA's core values.

MISSION OF THE YWCA WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Eliminating Racism

Empowering Women and Girls

Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom, and Dignity for All

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Get Involved...

Become a YWCA Fan Today! Follow us on Facebook.
An easy way to learn how you can make a difference

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Click here.  Then, click on "Become a Fan".

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YWCA Open Circle Table Captains Needed
Sign Up By February 15th

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It's powerful to witness a room filled with people determined to change the world. 

On April 14, 2010 we will gather to do just that at the YWCA’s Annual Open Circle Celebration.  This celebration has been invaluable to the YWCA’s ability to raise revenue for its services that address domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse, and our prevention/empowerment programs for girls.

But before we can celebrate, we need your help.  Table Captains are the reason that “Circle” continues to be an exciting and meaningful part of our community’s calendar and the YWCA’s ability to serve those who turn to us each and every day.  Your role is critical, but we promise it's simple.

The YWCA’s staff provide you with all the materials you need to be successful -- background information, scripts, confirmation cards, etc.

In short, you get the guests and we’ll do the rest.

For further details or to confirm your participation, please contact:

Kelli Langan, Director of Development and Marketing 616.459.7062 ext. 127  or klangan@ywcawcmi.org.

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Do Your Grocery Shopping...Help the YWCA
Sign Up for the Meijer Community Rewards Program

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1)  Designate the YWCA West Central Michigan when you register for the Meijer Community Rewards Program. (Our code is 290680.)

2)  Shop at Meijer.

3)  At the check-out lane, swipe your Meijer Community Rewards Program-card (which you'll receive after registering).

It's that simple!  A portion of your sale will be directed to the YWCA West Central Michigan.

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YWCA Looking for Sexual Assault Victim Advocates
Applications Due February 26th

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Victim Advocates provide support to victims of sexual assault and/or their family members through the YWCA's 24-hour crisis telephone line, outreach to hospital emergency departments, or the YWCA Nurse Examiner program. A 30-hour specialized training will be provided in March. Volunteers are on-call two shifts per month, must be good listeners, and have reliable personal transportation. We ask for a one-year commitment.

For more information, contact Heather French at 616.459.7062 ext. 461 or hfrench@ywcawcmi.org.

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Denim Day Volunteers Needed
Sign up by February 12th

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Denim Day is April 21st.

In 1998 an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore jeans, reasoning that her attacker could not have assaulted her without her help to remove the jeans. Therefore, the victim must have consented. People all over the world were outraged. Wearing jeans became an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. (source: National Sexual Violence Resource Center)

And while progress has been made to rid our communities of dangerous myths like these, we still have work to do.  In response, the YWCA is hosting Denim Day on April 21st and looking for some great volunteers to help us make it successful.

This year we are partnering with hair salons and, with our volunteers' help, asking them if they will participate by...

  1. Displaying Denim Day posters/fliers and cards for the YWCA’s rape hotline, and/or
  2. Encouraging their employees to wear denim and/or stickers about Denim Day on April 21st, and/or
  3. Keeping a donation jar for the month of April with proceeds to benefit the YWCA Sexual Assault Program, and/or
  4. Posting information about Denim Day on their respective Facebook pages and forwarding that information to their “friends” or “fans”.

Volunteer registration is required.  Interested? Contact Jennifer Swanger at jswanger@ywcawcmi.org


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Focus on Diversity...

Check out the Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism Racial Justice Institutes

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Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism

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The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Works to Strengthen Our Business Community Through Diversity

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See What the Chamber is Doing.

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Grand Rapids Community College is an Educational Resource for Diversity and Inclusion

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See What Grand Rapids Community College is Doing.

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Mark Your Calendar...

February 23, 2010 • YWCA Reads Book Club • February's Selection: "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
Noon - 1:00 pm • YWCA - 25 Sheldon Blvd., SE • Downtown Grand Rapids

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Enjoy a cozy chat around the fireplace with YWCA staff and friends in the YWCA Reads Book Club. YWCA Reads is a offers a chance for readers to enjoy a facilitated quarterly book discussion.  Click here for a synopsis of February's selection, "The Help", by Kathryn Stockett.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Suzanne Katerberg at 616.459.7062, ext. 350 or skaterberg@ywcawcmi.org.

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April 14, 2010 • YWCA Annual Open Circle Luncheon
Noon to 1:30 pm • Amway Grand Plaza Hotel • Downtown Grand Rapids

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The YWCA's Annual Open Circle Luncheon is an afternoon filled with inspirational stories from survivors and opportunities to support life-changing services that empower women and girls throughout our community.

Motivating.  Touching.  Extraordinary.  Each has been used to describe the celebration (formerly titled Circle of Women).  This year's gathering promises no less. 

Table Captains are needed and are the reason that “Circle” continues to be an exciting and meaningful part of our community’s calendar and the YWCA’s ability to serve those who turn to us each and every day. While central to Open Circle’s success, the role of a Table Captain is simple:

The YWCA’s staff provide you with all the materials you need to be successful -- background information, scripts, confirmation cards, etc. (In short, you get the guests and we’ll do the rest.)

For more information or to register as a Table Captain, contact Kelli Langan, YWCA Director of Development and Marketing, via klangan@ywcawcmi.org or 616.459.7062, ext. 127.

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April 21, 2010 • Denim Day
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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Interested in volunteering?

Contact Jennifer Swanger at jswanger@ywcawcmi.org

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April 30, 2010 • YWCA Hosts Stand Against Racism

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Stay tuned for more details or contact Suzanne Katerberg at skaterberg@ywcawcmi.org to get involved.

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June 26, 2010 • Women Lawyers -vs- Judges Charity Softball Game to Benefit the YWCA
5:00 pm • Fifth Third Ballpark - Comstock Park, Michigan

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Spend a great summer evening with friends and family, while watching some of our community's greatest legal minds duke it out on the diamond to benefit the YWCA.

Tickets are a "steal" at just $16.00 for adults and $8.00 for kids (10 and under). No tickets are needed for kids under 3 years.

Look at all you get...

Tickets will be available in early May. To pre-order tickets, call 616.459.4681.

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Special Thanks To...

Huntington Bank
Title Sponsor - 2010 YWCA Open Circle Celebration

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See What Huntington Is Doing In Our Community.

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Paula Fogarty - Paula Scott Unlimited
for creating more nurturing environments in the YWCA Nurse Examiner Program Suite and Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter.

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See What Paula Scott Unlimited Is Doing In Our Community.

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Target Stores
for helping keep families safe from violence.

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See What Target Is Doing In Our Community.

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Alticor Inc.
for helping girls learn to be "Strong, Smart and Bold".

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See What Alticor Is Doing In Our Community.

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Comerica Bank
for helping domestic violence survivors gain safe independence.

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See What Comerica Is Doing In Our Community.

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Michigan Women's Foundation - Young Women for Change
for believing that girls should have big, bold dreams.

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See What The Michigan Women's Foundation Is Doing In Our Community.

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Fifth Third Bank
Title Sponsor - 2009 YWCA TRIBUTE! Awards

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See What Fifth Third Is Doing In Our Community.

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Cheryl Grant, Realtor
Premier Sponsor - 2009 YWCA TRIBUTE! Awards

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See What Cheryl Grant Is Doing In Our Community.

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Steelcase Inc.
Premier Sponsor - 2009 YWCA TRIBUTE! Awards

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See What Steelcase Is Doing In Our Community.

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YWCA West Central Michigan | 25 Sheldon Boulevard SE | Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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