About the YWCA Programs & Services Donate Calendar Get Involved News & Events
   
What's New  
In The News  
Newsletters  

Home  
   
Contact Us  
Employment  
Related Links  
Reading Room  
Site Map  
   
   

 
  What's New  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness and DV Awareness Month

 
In a community partnership collaboration, the YW is pleased to offer many programs to bring awareness and action to the causes of eradicating Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence in our community.

Learn more...

 

Creating Balance: Overcoming Compassion Fatigue & Burnout

 
People working in the human service and nursing fields are particularly susceptible to feeling overwhelmed which often leads to burning out quickly. This workshop is designed to help participants learn the importance of self-care and will give them tips on how to create a healthy life-balance so they can enjoy their work, while continuing in their chosen field.

Download workshop details and Registration Form.

 

A. Hall Named President of YWCA USA National Coordinating Board

 
Stand Against Racism
  Rebecca A. Hall

The National YWCA USA is part of the World YWCA, the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world, serving more than 2 million women and families nationwide. As President of the National Coordinating Board, Ms. Hall will serve to uphold the organization's mission of working for social and economic change for women. She will serve internal to the YWCA USA organization, as well as advocate in Washington for the rights of women, and for the protection and advancement of services for women and youth. Additionally, Ms. Hall will advocate for women and all people for social justice and human rights issues in education, poverty, health, pay equity and violence against women and children.

Read full article here
 

Stand Against Racism

 
Stand Against Racism
Partnering with YWs across the country, together we are going to Stand Against Racism! Join us on Friday, April 27th from 3:30pm to 5pm in our Gym at 38 Lawrence Street, as we all pledge to personally help eradicate racism in our communities. On display will be posters, projects and photos created by YW program youth and residents of Fina House that help illustrate the agency's ongoing conversation about the causes and impact of racism. The YW stands for the right of individuals to be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and we commit to taking action for peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.

This event is open to the public, and free! No R.S.V.P necessary!

Challenge to 'Take a Stand' by ED Rebecca A. Hall

'Take a Stand' Pledge

Reflections on Racism from Two YW Youths

For more information contact Maricelis Ortiz: 978.687.0331 x1047; mortiz@ywcalawrence.org.

To learn more about the National YW Stand for Racism event, visit www.StandAgainstRacism.org)

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. --Margaret Mead

 

Addressing Racism: A Community Responsibility

 
Rebecca A. Hall, Executive Director
  Rebecca A. Hall, Executive Director
All of us at the YWCA have been deeply troubled by the senseless death of Trayvon Martin, and our hearts go out to his parents, who on Wednesday attended a forum on hate crimes and racial profiling organized by members of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

I hope you will take the opportunity to read the linked statement from YWCA USA Chief Executive Officer Gloria Lau.

In it, she states,  "As activists whose mission includes eliminating racism along with empowering women, the YWCA deplores the circumstances of his death: an unarmed 17-year-old killed by an armed adult neighborhood volunteer who was supposed to help make his street safer, not a place of mortal danger."

Clearly, there is still much work to be done as we work, together, to eliminate racism in our communities and in our country.

Read Ms. Lau's Full Statement

 

The Impact of Your Support

 
If you’ve ever wondered how your support impacts the YW, read the ‘promise’ from a young mother of twins to her daughters:

“Times are tough and bitter, but I am optimistic; life will get better. Today we are in need, but tomorrow we will be helping those in need. I will educate myself; I am done being a victim. I refuse to put myself down. I’m climbing the stairs and nobody is going to keep me from accomplishing my goals. We are going to make it; I promise. You determine who you are and what you will become in the future and your mommy is going to make you girls proud. I know all the pain and struggle is going to be worth it. I’m climbing the stairs as fast as I can; it’s time to open the door at the top and unlock the key to a better future.”

YWCA Fina House Resident
[name withheld to protect privacy]

Read Full Article

 

Camp Y-Wood Arson Fire Update

 
Background:
First, our thanks to so many of you for answering our call for help last year when an arsonist destroyed the existing Main Cabin just as camp was set to open for the season.  With donations from our generous sponsors, grant foundations and our insurance claim, we raised funds as well as 75 in-kind items, and opened camp on-time for the 2010 season. 

Current Status:

Since then, we've been busy!  Originally, we intended simply to rebuild the Main Cabin in time for the opening of Camp Y-Wood this season.  However, during the planning phase, we opted to enhance the building in order to provide campers with a more robust camp experience.  To this end, the cabin will… 
Read Full Article...
 

Minou Taváraz Mirabal Speaks About DV at the YWCA

 
Mayor William Lantigua, State Senator Barry Finegold, Representative David Torrisi and former State Senator Susan Tucker were among the more than 90 guests who greeted Dominican Republic Congresswoman Minou Tavárez Mirabal at the YWCA of Greater Lawrence’s reception Tuesday, March 1st as part of their work to promote social justice and eliminate violence against women locally, nationally and worldwide...
 

Father & Son Nights at the YWCA

  Recognizing the importance of fathers and sons spending time together, the YWCA will be offering fun Father & Son nights at our 38 Lawrence Street location...
 
Pfizer Invests in YWCA Domestic Violence – Critical Services Program
  Annually, we find shelter for approximately 40 women and their children seeking to escape situations of personal home violence...
 
American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
  This course prepares candidates with the skills and knowledge to prevent and respond to water emergencies. First Aid, CPR, AED and Oxygen Administration are included in this program...
 
STEM Initiative Completes Blood & Guts Curriculum
  The YWCA’s STEM Initiative, a unique educational program for girls age 10 to 14 to encourage, excite and educate about Science, Technology, Engineering & Math, recently completed its long awaited Blood & Guts curriculum...
 
Commissioner’s Leadership Award to Vilma Lora
  YWCA Director of Women’s Services, Vilma Lora, was recently awarded the Commissioner’s Leadership Award from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in recognition of her work surrounding issues of domestic abuse, health care, and housing...
 

Peer Educators Funded by DPH and The Gillette Company

  Since September 2003, three teams of women, trained by the YWCA as educators about breast and cervical health, have conducted 19 peer education sessions reaching more than 120 other women across the Northeast region. Fifteen additional sessions and another peer training are scheduled for March...
 

YWCA Hosts "Agilent After School"

  The YWCA was recently named an Agilent After School site, where children in the Girls Center and the YWCA co-ed after school program will enjoy a hands-on science program...
 
Banknorth Charitable Foundation Helps Rape Crisis Center
  Banknorth Charitable Foundation took a strong and generous stand in support of area rape crisis and assault services recently when it made a significant contribution to the YWCA’s Rape Crisis Center...
 
The Mother Connection Helps YWCA Kids
  The Mother Connection has chosen to provide children enrolled in YWCA child care, after school and residential programs for teen mothers and victims of family violence with a new backpack and school supplies...
 

The Gillette Company Funds Breast And Cervical Cancer Program

  With support from The Gillette Company, the YWCA of Greater Lawrence has improved its ability to link medically underserved and uninsured women to breast and cervical cancer screenings...
 
YWCA and Businesses Unite to Fight Breast & Cervical Cancer
  The YWCA of Greater Lawrence is offering a new breast and cervical cancer initiative...
 
Quota International Establishes YWCA Library & Reading Program
  Quota International, represented by members Sue Adams and Beth Poulo, both of Andover, recently donated more than 150 children’s books...
 
YWCA Financial Education Conference Draws 700 Women
  More than 700 women from throughout the Merrimack Valley and the North Shore recently attended the YWCA's Money Conference for Women...
 
Statewide Education & Training to be Managed by YWCA
  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently funded the YWCA of Greater Lawrence to coordinate two statewide training and education programs in partnership with DPH’s Women’s Health Network...
     
     
 
©2003- YWCA of Greater Lawrence. All rights reserved.