2008 West Virginian of the Year

Congratulations to our dear friend and long-time YWCA supporter Betty Schoenbaum for being named the Sunday Gazette-Mail's 2008 West Virginian of the Year! Betty shares the YWCA's vision for making our community a better place - especially for our children. Her charitable philosophy is never void of purpose, and she truly involves herself in each project she supports.

Over the past decade, Betty and her foundation have contributed more than $200,000 to the YWCA of Charleston because she wholeheartedly believes in our programs and sees our organization as an invaluable asset to our community. With her help, we continue to change the lives of women and children each day in the Greater Kanawha Valley.

At age 91, Betty still lives her life with energy, generosity, and purpose. Congratulations, Betty, for your deserving accolade! Read more about her inspirational story in the Gazette-Mail.

Photo: Betty Schoenbaum and Charleston Mayor Danny Jones cut the ribbon to the new YWCA Schoenbaum Pool at the YWCA Pool Dedication in September, 2008.

$100,000 hole in one

Golfers try your luck tomorrow at the West Virginia Golf Association's hole-in-one tournament for your chance to win big - and help YWCA Sojourner's win big too! Should a lucky golfer score a hole-in-one, he or she will pocket $50,000 and the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Homeless Women and Families will receive the other $50,000.

The event begins at 5 p.m. on hole No. 17 (approx. 145 yards) on Coonskin Park's par-3 course in Charleston. And not to worry - the course has lights that will illuminate the tee box and green. To enter, golfers must pay $1 and produce one canned food item, which will be donated to YWCA Sojourner's.

The field of contestants will be narrowed down to 10 golfers each hour through a closest-to-the-pin contest. The contest will last three hours, meaning a total of 30 players will shoot for the grand prize of $100,000. The top 10 contestants will also win a VIP golf card - an access pass that allows golfers to play more than 200 of the top golf courses in West Virginia and Virginia.

Come out and try your luck tomorrow (Saturday, December 20) at Coonskin - rain, snow or shine! You'll be helping homeless families in need and may even walk out $50,000 richer! Special thanks to the West Virginia Golf Association for thinking of YWCA Sojourner's and for caring so much about giving back to our community.

OWN IT

How would you celebrate your 150th birthday? This year, the YWCA USA is celebrating 150 years of empowering women and advocating for critical social issues across our great nation. As a part of its Sequicentennial celebration, the YWCA USA has launched the OWN IT campaign, which focuses on igniting a new generation of 22 million young women aged 18 to 34 to get involved with important issues facing women and the country today. This call to action focuses on many topics, including self-esteem and body image issues, HIV/AIDS, health care, quality childcare, gender equality and racial justice.

The YWCA of Charleston invites you join us, as well as millions of OWN IT women across America who are determined to take charge of their lives and communities, and make the world a safer and more just place for all people. Working together, we will transform communities across the country by exercising our collective power and energy to empower women and eliminate racism. Motivated by courageous women of the past who wouldn’t take NO for an answer, the YWCA invites us all to join in changing our world.

The YWCA of Charleston has joined this exciting movement of change, education and celebration. You can too! We choose to OWN the goals of economic empowerment, eliminating violence against women, and early childhood education, to name a few. What goal will you OWN?

The YWCA's new OWN IT website will keep you informed of OWN IT activities nationwide. They ask for our feedback and want to hear what we are doing in our own community. Find how you can OWN your power - and more! Plus watch the recently-released OWN IT video and see what issues other women across the country are owning.

Give hope during the holidays

She isn’t asking for toys this Christmas. All she wants is a place for her and her mother to call home.

In times of great hardship
Across the nation, people are losing their homes. Their retirements. Utilities and food prices have skyrocketed. Pillars of Wall Street have closed, been absorbed by other financial institutions or have been bailed out by the federal government. Our country’s economic outlook is bleak, indeed.

And times of great need
In times like this, it’s more important than ever that the YWCA of Charleston continue to provide critical social service programs in the Greater Kanawha Valley. Domestic violence increases in times when families face financial crises. More and more families are losing their homes. Single parents are looking for affordable quality childcare, while the cost of living continues to increase.

Are times of greatest hope.
In a time that lacks hope, the YWCA of Charleston is offering just that – hope for a better future – to those who have seen the worst of humanity.

Hope for independence.

Hope for justice.

Hope for safety and peace.

Hope for a better future for their children.

Hope for a better education.

Help us continue to be the beacon of light for so many in our community by renewing your commitment to the YWCA of Charleston. You can give the gift of hope this holiday season and help thousands in need in our community.

Celebrating Solutions

When working to eliminate domestic violence in our community, partnership and collaboration is key. From law enforcement and judicial branches, to schools, churches, and domestic violence advocates, a coordinated effort is vital to prevent domestic violence and to keep victims safe.

Today, such a partnership was recognized for its outstanding work: the West Virginia's Legal Assistance to Victims (LAV) Partnership. This is an innovative statewide collaboration between the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (of which the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program is a licensed program) and Legal Aid of West Virginia.

This afternoon at the Governor's Mansion, First Lady Gayle Manchin welcomed members of the Mary Byron Foundation in presenting the LAV partnership with the "Celebrating Solutions" Award. This national award showcases and applauds local innovations that demonstrate great hope in breaking the cycle of violence. Each year, the Mary Byron Foundation selects programs that serve as models for the nation and offers $10,000 cash awards in recognition of their pioneering efforts. The LAV partnership was one of only four recipients nationwide - great honor and testament to the work being done to eliminate domestic violence in our state.

The most moving part of the presentation was the personal testimony of Star Hogan - a domestic violence survivor who received help through the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program and Legal Aid of West Virginia. With the help of a YWCA court advocate, Star received legal counsel, representation, and individual and group counseling. Her Legal Aid attorney helped her understand her rights as a victim and helped her through child support and custody issues. Star and her two children all received free individual, group and family counseling through YWCA Resolve. Today, her life is free of violence.

Thanks to Mary Byron Foundation and First Lady Gayle Manchin, today we celebrated the innovative solutions that continue to provide all citizens with the right to be free from violence. I will end this post with Star Hogan's poignant closing statement - a quote from British author Albert Pine: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

(pictured above: First Lady Gayle Manchin and Star Hogan)

When one door closes, another door opens

Two weeks ago, we announced the YWCA Board of Directors' decision to expand YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store and close the store’s in-house coffee shop, YWCA Perkin’ Up – both located at 1598 Lee Street East on Charleston’s East End. The decision was made after the Board and Finance Committee reviewed a comprehensive business analysis of both stores, conducted over the past 12 months by a University of Charleston Executive MBA class. Read the full announcement here.

YWCA Perkin’ Up Coffee Shop’s last official day of operation will be Saturday, December 12, after which we will immediately begin efforts to remodel the space to accommodate Past & Present’s growing inventory of gently used clothing, shoes and accessories. As a gesture of gratuity to our customers, we will continue to keep a fresh pot of coffee on hand for anyone in need of a cup of joe.

Since the announcement, we have received a few emails and letters from loyal Perkin' Up customers who are saddened by the news - and we understand their disappointment. We also see this as a fantastic opportunity to thank our customers for their loyalty and support, as well as remind everyone of the YWCA's mission and the purpose of our stores: to generate much-needed revenue for the YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes, which provide transitional housing apartments for battered and homeless women and their children as they transition to self-sufficiency and permanent housing.

We are excited about the valuable new floor space available to expand YWCA Past & Present and better meet the needs of women and families in our community. Thanks for your support during this transition!

What Women Really Want

The YWCA USA asked the age old question, "What do women really want?" You might be surprised by the answers.

Generation Yers (ages 18-29) want to see President-elect Barack Obama to make civil rights and racial justice top priorities for his administration, according to the survey conducted by the YWCA USA.

The survey, which included interviews with 1,000 women ages 18-70, also found a generational divide among women. Older women have seen more progress in terms of civil rights and therefore are more optimistic about the future. Younger women have high expectations for the future leadership of our country.

Women of all ages agree that economic hardship is one of the biggest obstacles facing them today. They also agree that healthcare reform, quality and cost of education, the housing crisis and HIV/AIDS are top priorities for our nation.

It's refreshing for women of all ages, ethnicity and from all walks of life to express their views about the future of our country. It's one more way that the YWCA is empowering women across our nation -- by giving them a voice. To see the survey in its entirety, visit the YWCA USA.

So how does this survey stack up with what you want? Tell us your wishes.

One night without a home

This morning as we bundled up and headed out the door, most of us inevitably did our share of grumbling about the wind and the cold. After all, with temperatures dropping into the teens last night, who would want to be out in the elements any longer than absolutely necessary?

The answer: more people than one might think.

Why? Because tonight, members of our community are coming together and spending the night outside on Magic Island in an attempt to simulate the realities of homelessness. From 6pm to 6am, individuals are gathering to spend "One Night Without a Home." The goal of this annual event is to spend a night outside to discuss, think, and learn about homelessness, and to promote advocacy and education about this critically important issue.

Presented by the WV Mental Health Consumer Association & Kanawha Valley Collectives, the evening will include a food drive, guest speakers, live music, facilitated discussion groups, and a candlelight vigil. As a co-sponsor of this event, the YWCA of Charleston encourages all to attend - even for just part of the evening - to get a small glimpse into the lives of those who are unable to meet even their most basic needs of shelter, food and clothing.

Last year alone, 338 homeless children came through our doors at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter, and nearly 800 homeless adults benefited from our services. Our annual return-to-shelter rate of approx. 5% demonstrates that we are making slow but steady progress toward our goal of eliminating homelessness.

Are you willing to spend one night without a home?

The state of racism

November 4, 2008, was a very exciting, heartwarming and awesome day. A dream had come true: Senator Barack Obama had been elected as the 44th and 1st African American President. There are not words to express the overwhelming flood of emotions and tears that came over me as I witnessed this event. History in the making! A day that I did not think that I would see this soon in my lifetime. It was even a greater blessing to see my 80-year-old mother go to the polls, and witness this event in her lifetime as well.

One would think that in light of this great event that we have arrived and that racism has been stamped out or eliminated. It only took one day after the election to realize that this was not the case and that racism is still very much alive in our community and in our country. Just from talking with neighbors, coworkers or reading comments on popular websites such as FaceBook and My Space, or watching the evening news, it was apparent that many people were not happy about the results of the election. When engaged in conversation as to why, many could not articulate a concrete answer -- simply referencing back to his race or ethnicity.

How sad it is that some people cannot look past the color of Obama's skin to see the content of his character; to see a very intelligent, educated, knowledgeable individual. One who ran an honest campaign and won the election standing ready to lead this county into the future and generate a change in this great nation.

As an African American woman, I see or experience racism on a daily basis; whether it be on my job, shopping in stores, or walking down the street. And because it is so subtle or covert, most of the time, only myself and others who experience it, can recognize it. While I think electing an African American president is a big step in the direction of eliminating racism, it is apparent that we still have a long way to go in terms of equality of all races in this country.

What steps can we take to further eliminate racism in our community? In our state and in our country? As for my part, I will continue to work with the YWCA of Charleston, who's mission it is to eliminate racism. I hope you will join us in this important work.

Teresa Johnson is a second-term member of the YWCA of Charleston Board of Directors and a registered nurse with Charleston Area Medical Center. She is pictured here with Sharon Pendleton, our first Empowerment Award winner, at the campaign launch of the $2 Million Challenge.

Remembering our veterans

Today as we remember the brave men and women who have served our country, we salute them for their service and thank them for all they have done for us. However, we often forget the scores of veterans that struggle to meet basic needs such as food and shelter - and we fail to ask what we can do for them.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 154,000 veterans were homeless on any given night last year. The number of homeless female veterans is estimated between 7,000 and 8,o00 and quickly growing. This is a relatively new phenomenon because only recently have so many women (more than 190,000 in Iraq and Afghanistan alone) been serving in the U.S. military. We invite you to read yesterday's MSNBC story, which highlights the life of a 38-year-old homeless female veteran and raises awareness of this growing phenomenon.

The MSNBC report notes several reasons why we see veterans become homeless:

• Repeated deployments make it difficult for them to keep their finances in order and for reservists to hold on to their civilian jobs.
• Fallout from military service — which can include post-traumatic stress disorder — can seriously damage family and other relationships.
• Those stresses can lead to withdrawal and depression, which can make it difficult to land a job.
• The lack of income makes it hard to pay rent or a mortgage.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has only 15 facilities that offer residential mental health treatment specifically for women with post-traumatic stress disorder. Out of 500 VA-run homeless shelters, 300 can accept women and only 22 have programs that address female veterans specifically or have living arrangements separate from men. Therefore, female veterans without housing often resort to local shelters like the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Homeless Women and Families.

Each year, YWCA Sojourner's has homeless veterans and their children walk through the door, where they receive basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing, as well as vital supportive counseling, substance abuse counseling, education and job training.

So today as we honor our veterans, let us remember those in need and thank them for their service by continuing to support them in thought, mind and deed.

Giving thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches, we at the YWCA have taken time to reflect on what we are thankful for in each of our personal lives. As an organization, we are thankful for the faithful support of our loyal donors; for the opportunity to serve thousands of people a year and help them on their the road of self-sufficiency; and for the opportunity to daily work for our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.


Take time today to think about the things that you're thankful for you in your life -- good health, good fortune and the love of family and friends. As you reflect on those things, please consider that there are those who don't have the same blessings as you and me. They suffer from abuse at the hands of loved ones or have lost their home because of unfortunate circumstances.


This Sunday, the YWCA of Charleston will partner with Wellington's of Scarlet Oaks and Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center for the 22nd annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. While you're enjoying a fine feast at Wellington's, you're also helping to feed thousands of homeless people in our community this year. So join us in giving thanks and helping to give back to those who have less.


We will leave you with some thoughts of gratitude from a few YWCA staff members:

• "I am grateful for the amazing women in my life." -- Felicia Bush, YWCA Resolve FAmily Abuse Program Director
• "I'm thankful for being pleasantly plump, because I've always had food to eat. I'm thankful for being able to sometimes feel sad, because I know what it's like to experience many different joys. " -- Karin Hamer, Manager of YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store
• "I am so thankful for my family and for the love from my children and grandchildren; for my dear friends and prayer partners; and for every blessing I receive." -- Carol Carroll, YWCA Resolve grants manager
• "I'm thankful for my family, all of the blessings that I have received throughout my lifetime struggles, and another day of life and freedom for we know not what tomorrow may bring." -- Carrol Bautista, YWCA administrative assistant
• "I am thankful that each new day brings another opportunity to touch someone else’s life in a positive way; for the friends and family that brings me happiness and support; and for God who brings a sense of peace and strength to my life." -- Amie Brada, YWCA Sojourner's administrative assistant
• "I am thankful for my precious child, and the opportunity to be a part of his life; our family, who care for one another through successes and challenges; for the power and love that guides our world." -- Carol Egnatoff, YWCA Child Enrichment Center program director
• "I am thankful for my health, my home and my salvation." -- Sandy Benedict, Program Director of Shanklin Center and Alicia McCormick Homes
• "I'm thankful for my loving husband, two beautiful children and a career that gives me the opportunity to help others and work with amazing women." -- Rachelle Beckner, YWCA Development Director
  

The most important thing you'll do today

It's tragic that after the many weeks of campaign ads, debates and political commentary from the media, friends and families, that many voters are left with a feeling of apathy.

The worst thing an American citizen can do today is choose not to exercise his or her right to vote. Saying you 're tired of the negative ads, or feeling like if you vote for a certain candidate then you're viewed in a harsh light by the opposing side are NOT valid reasons for not taking the time today to cast your ballot.

It's not about who you decide to elect as president, governor, or to the state Supreme Court, but rather that you took the time to make your voice be heard. This right is especially important for women to exercise as it wasn't always the case that women's opinions mattered in shaping the future of our country. It wasn't until Aug. 26 1920, that the 19th amendment was signed into law, granting the women the right to vote.

So despite lengthy lines at the polls, or your weariness with the negative campaign ads, take time today to cast your vote. It's the most important thing you'll do today.

Polls in Kanawha County remain open until 7:30 p.m. If you aren't sure where a national candidate stands on issues that concern women, we encourage you to visit the YWCA's voter information page.

Photo credit: Bill Gardner provided photo of voters waiting to cast their ballot at the Kanawha County voter registration office.

All treats, no tricks

Around the nation, the young and the young at heart will celebrate Halloween with their costumes and tradition of scouting the neighborhood for treats. On the East End of Charleston, the ladies of YWCA's Shanklin Center celebrated the occasion with a party and their favorite pasttime, Bingo.

It may seem like a small thing. But to these older women who have suffered great tragedies and abuse -- often at the hands of loved ones -- it's a big deal. It's a real treat to celebrate a holiday with friends and know you're safe from the frightening experiences that once plagued your life.

These wonderful women enjoy holiday celebrations and daily visits with friends in the small community -- the YWCA Shanklin Center. Here, they live out their lives with peace and in dignity with the freedom to enjoy friendships and holidays. So for all the Shanklin women and any women who has known real fear in life -- not from haunted houses or imaginary ghosts -- we at the YWCA salute you and wish you a Happy Halloween.

Creative Cone Awards

Atop a picturesque West Virginia mountain, creative minds gathered last week to discuss how to move West Virignia in new directions. These West Virginians are interested in ways to create a state that thrives on "innovation, artistic vision, connectivity, diversity, entrepreneurship, technology and growth. In short – a West Virginia for the New Economy. "

At the conclusion of the three-day Create West Virginia conference at Snowshoe, the organization honored people from around the state who have embraced this mission and taken tangible steps to fulfill it in their communities.

In our community, Revs. Matthew Watts and Ron English won Creative Cone Awards for their work on diversity in the Charleston community. Unfortunately, the Charleston community has suffered some tragic domestic violence incidents and hate crimes in the last year. These two men have taken a stance against all acts of violence in our community. They are standing for tolerance, acceptance and love, for embracing diversity and sharing in our commonalities rather than focusing on our differences.

Rev. Watts spoke at the Silent No More domestic violence vigil earlier this month at the YWCA. His comments were inspiring that night. Domestic violence isn't just a violent act against women. It affects our entire community, Rev. Watts said. He believes it's the men's role in our community to protect the young women. To do so means to not accept any acts of violence. We applaud Rev. Watts for taking a strong stand against all violence in our community and congratulate him for his recognition at Create West Virginia.

Take a flower to childcare

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 21) KIDS COUNT will honor West Virginia’s 2,400 professional childcare providers by sponsoring a statewide "Take a Flower to Childcare Day." The YWCA of Charleston encourages parents, young children and community leaders to show their appreciation for childcare providers by presenting them with a single flower of any kind. Roses. Daisies. Carnations. llilies. Real flowers. Silk flowers. Homemade paper flowers. Anything goes!

The goal of this celebration of our area childcare professionals is to raise awareness about the important role childcare providers play in the healthy development of young children, the stability of working families and the future of the state's economy. According to Saturday's Gazette article, researchers at Marshall University found that for every dollar West Virginia spends toward a high-quality early childhood development system, the state can expect a $5.20 return through higher academic achievement and future earning power and fewer juvenile delinquents and high school dropouts.

Take a Flower to Childcare Day is part of KIDS COUNT’s Kids First Communities Campaign, a statewide effort to build broad public support for new state dollars to improve childcare. In the Kanawah Valley, the YWCA Child Enrichment Center serves as the regional leader of the Kids First Communities campaign.

It is so important to recognize the critical role childcare providers are playing and support their efforts to provide the highest quality of care possible. If you don't have a childcare provider but simply wish to show your support, we would welcome your flower at the YWCA Child Enrichment Center at 201 Donnally Street in downtown Charleston. Join us in recognizing the importance of early childhood development and showing childcare providers how much we appreciate them!

An hour in their shoes

Yesterday morning, the Appalachian Power Park baseball field was transformed into a field of remembrance for domestic violence victims. Inmates at the Charleston Work Release Center came up with a creative idea for raising awareness about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month: placing a pair of shoes for each domestic violence victim assisted by the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program in Kanawha County last year.

The result was a powerful visual image of 912 pairs of shoes neatly lined up in rows across the baseball field. This awareness event, entitled "An Hour in their Shoes," attempted to put into perspective the prevalence of domestic violence in Kanawha County alone. Inmates from the center also reserved a special place for five particular pairs of shoes, representing the five domestic violence-related deaths that occurred in our county last year.

We at the YWCA, along with the Charleston Work Release Center, wish to thank the Appalachian Power Park for use of their field, as well as area thrift stores - including YWCA Past & Present and Goodwill - that generously donated all 912 pairs of shoes. More importantly, we thank Pam Baldwin and the inmates at the center for their initiative to raise awareness on this critical problem in our community.

Highlights of another year passed

At tonight's Annual Meeting, we will celebrate the YWCA of Charleston's accomplishments over the past year, welcome new Board members, say good-bye to Board members whose terms have expired, and hear heartwarming reports from program directors about the thousands of lives impacted by our programs in the past year. We will also be revealing our 2007-2008 Annual Report, which we consider a snapshot of our organization from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

Below are several program highlights from the 07-08 fiscal year published in the Annual Report.

YWCA Sojourner's Shelter:

• Served 1,080 individuals (unduplicated) at an average of 62 people nightly.
• Provided 5,530 case management/counseling hours free of charge.
• Provided 81,305 nutritious meals.
• 92% of residents found and maintained housing beyond six months.
• 86% of program participants gained meaningful employment, and 98% maintained that employment.
• 87% of program participants moved to a higher educational level.

YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program:

• Served 4,596 individuals (unduplicated).
• Provided 3,131 shelter nights and 12,524 meals to 138 women and their children.
• Provided over 1,130 hours of free counseling to 173 victims and their children.
• Provided over 100 domestic violence educational presentations to more than 3,000 students, teachers, community organizations and service providers.

YWCA Child Enrichment Center:

• Served 284 children - 77% of which were from financially challenged families.
• Served 48,417 nutritious meals.

YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes:

• 100% of individuals were employed or had supplemental income, and 100% of school-aged children were enrolled in school.
• 75% of individuals remained in permanent housing for over one year after leaving the program.
• 100% of residents with addictions are succeeding in their recovery and attend NA/AA meetings on a regular basis.

Because these highlights represent only a fraction of the wonderful successes our programs had over the last year, we invite you to read the Annual Report to see the rest for yourself!

Sharing survivor stories

Krista Fink is a domestic violence survivor, author, mother, devoted wife and YWCA Board Member. In the last year, Krista has bravely shared her story of survival and recovery from domestic violence with thousands of women through news articles, public appearances (like Girls Night Out) and her book, "Silent No More."

Now Krista is offering an opportunity for other survivors to share their stories. To have a voice. To speak out and be Silent No More. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Krista lauched a blog for domestic violence survivors -- Silent No More. It's an opportunity for victims to share their stories -- even anonymously -- and allow their voices to be heard.

Since joining the YWCA's Board of Directors, Krista has been a staunch advocate for empowering women. She now runs a victims support group and became a member of the Public Advisory Awareness committee for the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Her resilience and dedication have inspired other domestic violence victims and given them hope. Hope for a different future. That's why Krista was presented with the Hope Award by YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program during the vigil last week.

For all that you do to help domestic violence victims, thank you, Krista.

empowerment: Past & Present

While you may know that the YWCA of Charleston operates a gently used clothing store on Charleston's East End, did you also know that we provide clothing to our program participants free of charge? At YWCA Past & Present, located at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Lee Street East, we empower individuals in need by providing them with quality clothing as they make their way toward self-sufficiency. Through our clothing voucher program, both adults and children at YWCA Sojourner's, Resolve, Shanklin, and Alicia McCormick can obtain vouchers for free gently used clothing, shoes & accessories.

In recent months, we have more than doubled the number of people we serve through this program. In August and September of 2007, 43 adult and 6 child vouchers were redeemed for a total of $1,404 in merchandise. In August and September of 2008, however, 98 adult and 34 child vouchers were redeemed - a total of $3,617!

YWCA program participants aren't the only ones to benefit from fabulous finds at YWCA Past & Present. Our store is open to the public from 7 am - 6 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday. As everyone's budgets seem to be a little tighter this year, shoppers come to us for affordable back-to-school clothes, winter gear, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and much more.

In fact, a recent CNN article notes that people are increasingly looking for more ways to be savvy shoppers. The article states that in these troubled times, the powerful lure of a secondhand retail bargain is attracting customers from all economic classes. Read the rest of the CNN article here.

YWCA Past & Present could not continue to provide such valuable resources to our community without the hundreds of bags of donations it receives each month. Proceeds from YWCA Past & Present help offset the cost of the YWCA Alicia McCormick transitional housing program. Thank you to all of our generous donors...and happy shopping!

Raising awareness

Dozens of people joined the YWCA of Charleston yesterday to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness month with a silent protest and vigil. For more an hour, supporters of YWCA Resolve stood along Kanawha Boulevard with their signs to raise awareness about this devastating social ill that affects us all.

Following the silent protest, supporters, survivors and community activists joined us for the Silent No More vigil. The event honored those we've lost to domestic violence with a balloon release and celebrated many survivor stories -- including that of Krista Fink, a YWCA Board Member. She tells about her abusive relationship in her book, "Silent No More." Krista was honored with the Hope Award, for the hope that she now has in her life and the hope she brings to other domestic violence victims. Krista not only has turned her life around, but has reached out to other victims with a support group and blog for survivor stories.

Also on Thursday, Representatives from Verizon Wireless presented a $20,000 check to the YWCA of Charleston’s Resolve Family Abuse Program for its Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program. Verizon Wireless recently introduced its HopeLine® program, which collects no-longer used wireless phones and parts from any wireless service provider nationwide and turns them into support for victims of domestic violence. Between now and November 15, drop your old wireless phones, batteries or accessories off at any Verizon Wireless store and all proceeds will benefit the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program up to an additional $5,000.

The YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program is grateful for the continued support of Verizon, a corporation that understands the devastating effects domestic violence has in our community and has taken an active role to fight it. With corporate partners like Verizon and the support of hundreds of community volunteers, the YWCA Resolve will continue its mission to eliminate domestic violence in our community.

Silent No More

Tomorrow marks the first day of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To symbolize that we are united to end domestic violence in our community, YWCA staff members and other domestic violence advocates will join police officers, public officials, legal professionals, religious leaders, healthcare workers, neighbors and friends on Thursday in a silent protest against domestic violence.

Organized by the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program, this demonstration along Kanawha Boulevard will urge the Charleston community to take a stand against this horrific and incresingly prevelant societal problem. In past years in West Virginia, domestic violence related homicides occured at an average rate of once every two weeks. In 2006 and 2007, this statistic skyrocketed to once every 8 days.

We must join together – men and women – to address the causes of domestic violence and raise our collective voices to create a community that no longer tolerates the use of violence in relationships. We are all stakeholders and advocates in the fight for peace and safety in our homes and neighborhoods.

The “Silent No More” demonstration will be held on Thursday, October 2 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm along Kanawha Boulevard between Leon Sullivan Way and Morris Street. A vigil and reception will follow from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the YWCA on Quarrier Street. The vigil will include remarks from community leaders, testimonials from domestic violence survivors, inspirational songs and a keynote address from West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland.

The purpose of the evening is to:

1. Stand in protest against the devastation of domestic violence
2. Remember those whose lives were tragically lost as a result
3. Raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence in our community and our state
4. Celebrate survivors and the hundreds of individuals and organizations that helped them through their struggle.

We invite you to both participate in the silent protest and attend the vigil.

There are many ways to let your voice be heard. Take a stand against domestic violence.

Y you should vote

Less than 100 years ago, our foremothers fought to secure the right for all women to vote. To be viewed as equal citizens in our country and have a say in shaping our future.

Our country has reached a new milestone with the first African-American nominee for president and the first woman vice president nominee. It's an exciting time in American history.

Not only is our nation making history, but the YWCA has also reached an important milestone in its 100-year history. For the first time, the YWCA (the nation's oldest and largest women's organization) will be a national sponsor of the 2008 presidential debates. As a sponsor, the YWCA has also taken the initiative to create a voter guide that covers issues that relate to the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Issues such as affordable healthcare and housing; ending violence against women; providing quality early childhood education; equal pay for equal work; ending discrimination and promoting equality and strengthening hate crime laws.

These issues are discussed at length on the YWCA's new website ywcavote. It's about your vote. Making your voice heard so you have a role in shaping your future. This powerful tool allows you to register to vote; learn about the important issues our country faces and even become a community activist.

We encourage you to use this tool. Refer your mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, nieces, friends, coworkers and neighbors to the site. But most importantly, encourage all women to exercise the right that our foremothers fought so hard to earn just 88 years ago.

Note: This Friday marks the first presidential debate. The two presidential nominees -- Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama -- will debate foreign policy and national security during a 90-minute event that begins at 9 p.m. EST.

good food, good fun, great cause

Last night, close to 200 men came together to cheer on the Mountaineers at the 3rd Annual Guys Night Out, while raising money for the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter. This fun-filled night - complete with brews, BBQ, cigars, games, raffles and plenty of football - boasted our biggest turnout yet!

Proceeds from last night's event will help fund critical programs at YWCA Sojourner's. In the past year alone, YWCA Sojourner's provided services to 1,080 unduplicated individuals - 338 of which were homeless children. Take a look some of our other 2007-2008 highlights:

• Served an average of 62 people nightly in the 75-bed facility
• Provided 5,530 case management/counseling hours
• Provided 81,305 nutritious meals
• Provided 19,202 shelter nights
• Provided 4,537 hours of service and support through 408 volunteers

Furthermore:

• 92% of residents found and maintained housing beyond six months
• 86% of program participants gained meaningful employment, and 98% maintained that employment
• 87% of program participants moved to a higher educational level
• 533 individuals participated in the educational program, were tested, and received classroom instruction
• 301 individuals improved their computer skills
• 22 participants entered college or vocational school

A huge thanks to our many wonderful Guys Night Out sponsors, volunteers, and attendees. We couldn't have done it without you!

Top picture (L to R): Joe Long, Jeff Sandridge, Rob Rosano, Margaret Taylor (YWCA Sojourner's Shelter Director), Justin Southern, Randy Daniel, Debby Weinstein (YWCA Executive Director) and Paul Buechler.

Left: Guys tried their luck at the football throw contest during halftime.

Right: They couldn't wait to get their hands on the 400 lbs of pork BBQ hot off the grill!

YW benefits from Day of Caring

Hundrends of volunteers dedicated their afternoons to giving back to their community in an unique way.

Each year, the United Way of Central West Virginia hosts the Day of Caring. It's a way for corporations and businesses to support non-profit agencies that receive United Way funding through a hands-on experience. These volunteers get to see firsthand how their financial support benefits the area's non-profits.

The YWCA is proud to be a part of the United Way network. We are thankful for the annual volunteer support we receive through the Day of Caring. Over the years, our programs have benefited from volunteer work with new landscaping at our facilities, newly painted interiors and safer playgrounds.

We thank those who support our agency through our partner, United Way, and who took the time out of their busy work schedules today to volunteer at our facilities: the Child Enrichment Center (CEC), The Shanklin Center, Past & Present, Resolve Family Abuse Program and Sojourners.

It's through your financial support and volunteer efforts that we are able to continue to provide the critical social services programs to thousands in the Greater Kanawha Valley each year.

Pictured are: State Farm Insurance employees at CEC: (front row) Scott Lipford, Lee Greenhowe, Bobby Robinson, Angie Cooke, Jocie Longinger, Tim Conley and Shannon Cazad; (top) Sharon Templeton, Susan Miller, Mary Beth Conley, Patricia Paul and Robin O’Dell

A big splash for Betty Schoenbaum

On Tuesday, we celebrated the grand opening of our newly renovated building at 1114 Quarrier Street! During our "big splash" to honor Betty Schoenbaum, children from the YWCA Child Enrichment Center were the first to make their own splash in the new Schoenbaum pool. The YWCA dedicated the new aquatic facility to Betty Schoenbaum to honor her $150,000 donation to the project and to recognize her enduring heart for the Charleston community.

For those who are unfamiliar with the building project, the YWCA launched the Raise the Roof building renovations campaign in January of 2007. Through this campaign, we raised $1.1 million to replace our 1920s building’s leaking roof and HVAC systems, repair the exterior bricks and columns, replace the swimming pool and hot tub, renovate the locker rooms, and freshen up the interior with new paint and carpet.

At 91-years old, Betty Schoenbaum continues to be a inspirational philanthropist in the Charleston community. When asked by a reporter to describe how it feels to be able to give back in this way, she replied: "I tell people sometimes I have so much joy in me I think my skin might burst some day."

We truly appreciate everything Mrs. Schoenbaum has done to help women, children, and families all over the world, and we applaud her for joining in our mission of providing peace, justice, dignity and freedom for all people.

Another domestic violence homicide...what will it take?

Tuesday night, 28-year-old Starlena Pratt of South Charleston died one month after suffering severe burns over the majority of her body. While this tragic news alone is enough to evoke feelings of grief from people who never knew Starlena or her family, the horrific story of her murder should appall all who hear. But has it?

Reports state that on August 3rd, Starlena's boyfriend Farley Allen Rhodes doused her in a flamable liquid and set her on fire in their South Charleston apartment, after Starlena had entered their home and told Rhodes she was going to leave him. While Starlena desperately clung to her life in Cabell Huntington Hospital, police arrested Rhodes and charged him with one count of arson causing serious bodily injury and two counts of first-degree arson. Media downplayed the issue – covering the story almost three days after the incident but still only mentioning that “a woman was burned in a house fire in South Charleston.”

This grisly murder comes on the heels of another equally horrific domestic violence homicide only two months ago, when Nalisha Gravely was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend at the West Side Taco Bell. While our community was outraged over that atrocity, our vigor seems to have waned. Did anyone else find it shocking that Starlena's death did not even make the front page of yesterday's newspaper...while news about Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming hiring new employees did?

This is a sad reflection of our community – and of our society in general – which seems to have fallen back into complacency about the real problem of domestic violence in our own backyards. Rev. Matthew Watts, pastor of Grace Bible Church in Charleston and respected community leader, described the trend of domestic violence in our community as "pandemic". The only way we can reverse this pandemic is if every member of this community stands together and takes responsibility for eliminating domestic violence. How many murders will we read about but still look the other way? What will it take to get our community outraged about this young woman's death?

We applaud organizations like West Virginia Radio Corporation, who understand the gravity of this tragedy and took the initiative to host a Circle of Hope fundraiser yesterday afternoon for Starlena's family, raising more than $3,000. Through the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program, we will continue to do our part in the grand scheme of eliminating domestic violence in our community as well.

We will continue to provide a 24-hour crisis line, where advocates can help victims who are trying to leave their abusers plan safe escapes – as leaving can be the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship. We will continue to give presentations to more than 3,000 middle and high school students each year on the warning signs of teen dating violence and on the dangers of relationships dominated by jealousy, power, violence and control. We will continue to provide free shelter, support, counseling and court advocacy to victims of domestic violence.

What will you do?

A Labor Day reflection

We welcome Janet James, a current YWCA Board member, as our third guest blogger. Janet is the Assistant Attorney General at the West Virginia Attorney General's Office in Charleston, WV and has served on the YWCA of Charleston's Board of Directors since 2005.

Yesterday, we celebrated Labor Day to commemorate the social and economic achievements of American workers. While our nation has truly made great progress since Labor Day was first declared a federal holiday over a century ago, we recognize that many changes still need to be made.

The fact is, women still lag behind men in education and in earnings. Although progress has been made, especially in the last three decades, there remain monumental gaps in the real-world equities between men and women. White women continue to earn a mere 77 cents to every dollar a man makes, while for black and Hispanic women the gap is even greater, dropping to 65 cents on the dollar for black women, and 54 cents for Hispanic women.

Over the course of a career, this puts a woman hundreds of thousands of dollars behind a man. Over a lifetime, a young woman who graduates from high school this year and goes straight to work at $20,000 a year will make $700,000 less than a young man who graduates with her; a woman who graduates from college into a $30,000 starting salary will make $1.2 million less than a young man graduating with her; and a young woman who gets a degree in business, medicine or law and graduates into a $70,000 a year job will make $2 million less than her male classmate. Only 11 of the Fortune 500 companies are led by women, and women make up only 14.7 percent of the board seats of Fortune 500 companies.

The wage gap is the result of a variety of forms of sex discrimination in the workplace, including discrimination in hiring, promotion and pay, sexual harassment, occupational segregation, bias against mothers (in 2005, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported 4,449 charges of pregnancy-based discrimination), and other ways in which women workers and women’s work are undervalued. The long-standing stereotypes associated with men and women contributes to this problem. In the workplace, men are considered more likely to take charge of a situation. Women are considered sympathetic, caring and more supportive, and not as capable at solving problems, a necessary quality in CEOs.

As a consequence of this economic disparity, women are also greatly under-represented in local, state and national political government. This economic and political disparity causes a steady drain on women’s receiving better medical treatment, child care, housing, food, and retirement savings; and worse, places women at a greater risk of homelessness, or inability to leave abusive domestic situations.

Since its inception in 1858, the YWCA has fought for women’s rights, notably in the women’s suffrage movement, and later in the civil rights movement. Today, Racial Justice and the Economic Empowerment of Women are two of the national YWCA’s hallmark programs. Through programs like the YWCA Sojourner's Job Education/Readiness Center, the YWCA of Charleston works daily to promote education and economic empowerment here in our city.

Are you ready for some football?

WVU football fanatics from near and far are looking forward to Saturday's WVU season-opening football game. Here in Charleston, one particular group of guys is looking forward to football season - but for a different reason.

On Thursday, September 18, they will join together with scores of other WVU fans to watch the game at the 3rd annual Guys Night Out. The best part about it? All proceeds raised will help homeless women and families at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter.

We are truly grateful for this dedicated group of men, headed by Jeff Sandridge and Paul Buechler, who stand behind our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. With their help, YWCA Sojourner's will continue to empower individuals to become self-sufficient through emergency services, case management, supportive counseling, education, and much more.

Want to join us? Go to the Guys Night Out event page to learn more. After all, what could be better than watching WVU football on the big-screen while drinking your favorite brew with your buddies? The knowledge that you're helping homeless women and families while you do it, of course!

Education = Empowerment

An important tool to empower women is providing educational opportunities for women. The YWCA places a strong emphasis on education in every stage of life and in each of our programs. We understand the importance that early childhood education plays in determining the future path of a child's educational career. That's why we focus on school readiness at the YWCA Child Enrichment Center.

"Investing in early childhood development -- programs like Head Start, prekindergarten, preschools, family child care homes and child care centers -- is probably more important than any other current economic development effort," according to a 2005 study funded by the Benedum Foundation.

By providing affordable quality child care, the YWCA is supporting single mothers as they pursue educational opportunities so that they can increase their earning potential and create a more stable home environment.

Through the YWCA Sojourners Job Readiness Center, any homeless person can study to earn his or her GED; apply for college; and learn job training and computer skills. In the last fiscal year, more than 500 people participated in the educational programs at the Sojourners Job Readiness Center.

Education doesn't end once you've earned a GED or college degree. Through Sojourners, Resolve and McCormick Homes programs at the YWCA, our participants learn important life skills -- like balancing a budget; understanding lease agreements; and how to earn and maintain gainful employment.

Learning is a life-long process and that's what we support here at the YWCA, because education is the cornerstone of women's empowerment.

Beauty at Any Cost

It's sad, but true that in today's society women are judged -- and often judge each other -- based on appearance.

The obsession that America has with beauty has taken a toll on women (especially young ladies), both emotionally and financially. Earlier this week, the YWCA USA released a report that contains alarming information and statistics about how women and girls will work to achieve "beauty at any cost."

Here are some highlights:

• In 2007, the top five surgical cosmetic procedures for women in the United States (by numbers of procedures performed) were: breast augmentation, lipoplasty, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and breast reduction. Together, expenditures for these procedures totaled $5.3 billion.


• One analysis found that workers with “below average” looks tended to earn about 9% less money than workers who were “above average” in appearance, and that those who were
  “above average” in appearance tended to make about 5% more money than those who were “average looking.”


• Over 1/2 of teenage girls use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives.

YWCA USA plans to use the information found in this report to further our mission of empowering women. And an empowered woman is a true model of beauty.

You can read the full report at YWCA USA.

A true testament of empowerment

"He started hitting her just a few months into their marriage, while she was pregnant with their only child. Cyndi Birthisel, 47, stayed with her now ex-husband for 23 years, largely because she thought her son deserved a mother and a father and a steady income. In retrospect, she wishes she'd found the courage to leave sooner."

Read the rest of the Gazette's feature story on how Cyndi moved beyond an abusive relationship and regained her confidence, strength and happiness.

For over a year now, Cyndi has attended the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program's weekly support groups, where she's made some close friends and helped other domestic violence victims regain control of their lives.

Cyndi will be the featured speaker at Girls Night Out - "Hollywood on the Hill" tonight from 6-11 at the Sunrise Mansion offices of Farmer Cline & Campbell. This event benefits Hope House, the YWCA Resolve shelter for domestic violence victims and their children. Tickets are still available for $100 at the door, online or by calling (304) 340-3573.

Making the world a better place

Avery is 2 ½ years old. Like most young children, he loves to play outdoors – climb on jungle gyms, play games, and have picnics with his family while they enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Sadly, like many of the children currently residing at the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter for Homeless Women and Families, Avery has never had a yard to call his own - until now. Thanks to the West Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (WVNLA), children like Avery now have their very own backyard – a newly-created green space and recreation area at the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter on Charleston’s East End.

In January, the 100-member statewide association voted to donate an “extreme makeover” landscaping project to a deserving group, in lieu of its annual summer meeting. In just 10 short weeks (ground was broken on June 2), WVNLA and its partners transformed the YWCA Sojourner’s property from a barren lot with a portable basketball hoop, minimal playground equipment, a large unusable pile of dirt and concrete, and dumpsters that were quite the eyesore, to a landscaping and architectural masterpiece.

The shelter now boasts a welcoming entrance with seating areas; a center courtyard with a planting area; an outdoor dining plaza located off the cafeteria with access through new doors; a game court complete with a basketball hoop, hopscotch and foursquare; a playground for younger children; a gathering space for parents to socialize while watching their children play; and greenery to screen the walls and dumpster areas.

WVNLA chose the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter over several other charitable projects because of the significant impact a newly-renovated space would have on the children who reside in the shelter. YWCA Sojourner’s is home to an average of 65 individuals at any given time – approximately 25 of which are children. All funding, design, materials, and labor for the project were donated by WVNLA – estimated at approximately $100,000. The completed project includes every aspect of the original plan, as well as additional features such as two new awnings and security gates and fences to help ensure residents’ safety.

The YWCA and all the residents at YWCA Sojourner's are truly inspired by WVNLA's generosity and dedication and are grateful beyond words for this gift. We hope that WVNLA's project inspires other organizations to follow their example and give back to the communities in which they live - to enhance and improve the lives of others and, simply, to make the world a better place.