YWCA Columbus

For over 130 years, YWCA Columbus has fought to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. See for yourself how we help women and families in our community thrive. Many thanks to our wonderful video partner, SPACEJUNK, for capturing our mission in action 🧡 #YWCACbus #OnAMission

"My name is Lucas and I’m 10 years old. I’m going into the 6th grade at Genoa. The thing I’m most looking forward to about next school year is drama club and choir. I did an acting camp earlier this summer, and we put on a comedy play for our parents. It was really fun, and I’ve also done art camps and this one where we played outside. But I’m at Kids Place this week. It’s my first week here this summer. My favorite part is probably seeing my friends and just catching up on our summers. I just made a new friend today. Next week I’m going to Outer Banks with my family, and I’m planning the party. It’s gonna be ocean-themed. I made a playlist, and we’ll have an ice cream bar, and there will be a dance party. It’s with my cousin and, like, my dad’s friends. Also, because the Olympics are this year, we’re gonna do the Olympics where you eat a hot dog and swim down and back in the pool and then chug a pop. It’s parents versus kids, but they don’t stand a chance. We’re more energetic. I’d say I am competitive…and creative. I like coming up with an idea every year for the Guppy Tank Challenge. I always want to participate – and the prizes help motivate you, too! My cousin had a hard time reading, and I did, too, but I gave him some of my graphic novels. And, you know, it’s easier than a chapter book. Everybody has to read something smaller first before you get to chapter books, and comics really helped me, so I wanted to help other kids. I got a prize this year in the challenge, but I was trying to talk my parents into trading my gift card for cash. I want to put it in the bank, so it gets, like, interest and everything in there. My mom works for a bank, and she knows all the secrets, and she tells me. By the way, I wanna give a shoutout to my parents, Miss Rogers, Miss Gina, Miss Joyce, Miss Ward, and all my teachers at Fouse!" Lucas, a 10-year-old entering 6th grade, attended YWCA Kids Place and was a finalist in our Guppy Tank Challenge! Your support today impacts kids like Lucas who spend part of their summer with YWCA Columbus. Visit https://lnkd.in/g8fQRUwg to support YWCA Columbus' essential work and stay tuned for another story next week. #OurStoriesYourImpact #YWCACbus #OnAMission

🧡 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at The Fives Columbus for last week's Alumni Mixer! It is always wonderful to connect with so many dedicated individuals and expand the YWCA Columbus family. We are delighted to welcome these amazing people, including our newest alumni, the 2024 Women of Achievement, Women on the Rise, the 2023 Leadership for Social Change graduates, and our former board members. As we move forward, we're excited about the many projects and events we have planned. Stay tuned for details on what’s coming up next! We look forward to your continued involvement and support as we work together to keep making a positive impact in our community. #YWCACbus #OnAMission

🎉 We recently celebrated YWCA Columbus childcare staff members earning their CDA (Child Development Associate) credentials! With their completion of the course, Safe & Sound's staff is now almost 100% credentialed! These dedicated individuals nurture children's overall development, embodying YWCA Columbus' mission to support the families and children we serve. Congratulations to: ✨ Lenice Aiken ✨ Mariah Cox ✨ Jody McCoy ✨ Eliyah Anthony ✨ Emani Anthony ✨ Camille Moultrie ✨ Lanai Carson-Hines Also, a shoutout to our staff/residents who completed the CDA prep program: 👏 Kyra Drakulich 👏 Stephanie Parish-Wilkes Thank you for your commitment and hard work! #YWCACbus #OnAMission

"I’m Marla. I’m an author, artist, and Mom of three. I’ve been in Columbus all my life. I ended up in the homeless system around 2014, and I didn’t get placed here until July 2016. I got bounced around from shelter to shelter, and I don’t want to say it’s still traumatic, but it’s hard to talk about or think about it. But I’m glad there is such a thing as the Women’s Residency program. I was just blown away by my unit. Some people discount community or have a fear around expanding their community, but you have to overcome that. There’s nothing else like this in the city. It’s empowering for the women here. I felt like I could pause and get my breath. There’s an empathy there – everyone’s operating with their own strengths and weaknesses. I lost my dad in 2019 and my mom at the end of 2020, so I always try to say they would want me to be happy. One of my mottos is to wring the joy out of life. The grief and depression will always be there in varying degrees, but I like making memories with people… I really just want to spend the time. I want people to remember my sense of humor and how I made them feel. I wish people could support each other. The grief counseling here helped me a whole lot. That’s one way I cope – and then my art. I started writing and making art when my mom died. Because of certain situations, I don’t have access to my grandkids, but I’m just carrying on, and I figure my books and my art will be my legacy to them." Marla has lived at YWCA Columbus’ downtown residency since 2016. Her art was recently featured at @freshairgallery and she is also a published author. Your support directly impacts residents like Marla, who rely on YWCA Columbus for safety, stability, and more. Visit https://lnkd.in/gn62GVGg to learn how you can support the essential work YWCA Columbus is doing right now in our community and stay tuned for another story next week. #OurStoriesYourImpact #YWCACbus #OnAMission

🧡 It's official! Last week's ribbon-cutting celebration at the YWCA Columbus Family Center was unforgettable. With generous support from Nationwide, the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, Installed Building Products (IBP), The Champion Companies Foundation, and many other partners, as well as YWCA Family Center staff, we're thrilled to announce that the new and improved YWCA Family Center playground is officially OPEN FOR PLAY! We loved seeing everyone come together — leaders, residents, and even Stinger! — to bring this project to life. The dedication and enthusiasm from the community made all the difference. Missed the celebration? Don't worry! You can still be part of the magic by shopping our Amazon wish list to help stock the new spaces with toys and playground equipment. Every contribution counts towards creating joyous moments for Columbus' children. Or consider making a donation to support YWCA Columbus' ongoing mission to serve families across Columbus. Together, we will build a community where every child can thrive. 👉 https://lnkd.in/er4dk-C6 #YWCACbus #Community #OnAMission #Donate

Today is #BlackWomensEqualPayDay, marking how far into 2024 Black women must work to earn what white, non-Hispanic men made in 2023. In Ohio, Black women face an average pay gap of $21,562. Closing the #WageGap means securing futures: from education to healthcare -- and beyond. It's time to uproot occupational segregation and pay Black women what they are owed. #YWCACbus #OnAMission #EqualPay

Throughout history, individuals with disabilities have encountered barriers and misunderstandings. Embracing the diversity within disabilities and their intersecting identities is crucial for cultivating inclusivity. July is #DisabilityPrideMonth, a time to uplift the diverse experiences of people with disabilities and advocate for a more inclusive world for all. "Disabled" is NOT a bad word; it represents a spectrum of identities and experiences that must not be erased. In the face of systemic ableism, let's honor the history, achievements, experiences, and challenges of people with disabilities. 🧡 #YWCACbus #OnAMission

Six decades since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we pause to reflect on the profound impact of past and present activists and advocates who tirelessly pursue justice. Their legacy propels us onward, yet the journey to true equity and the elimination of racism continues. As we mark this milestone, let us boldly reaffirm our commitment to tangible progress. We are believers in equity, dreamers of a just society, and change-makers in our communities. Now is the moment to keep pushing forward together. #YWCACbus #OnAMission

Tune in NOW! YWCA Columbus joined Columbus Perspective to discuss empowerment and leadership through the Bright Futures Leadership Program. Stream it HERE: https://lnkd.in/dmke63aq to get all the details for this summer's #cohort. For nearly two decades, Bright Futures has empowered high school girls (grades 9-12) to challenge societal norms and develop critical thinking skills. This immersive week-long program will tackle institutional racism, sexism, and intersectionality through mentorship and interactive sessions, preparing participants to advocate for themselves and drive positive change. Today's your last chance to register for the July 15-19 cohort! Don't miss out on this opportunity to grow and connect with the community. 🧡 #YWCACbus #OnAMission #Leadership #Empowerment