Congratulations to our very own Comedienne Joy for winning second place in the YWCA USA's YWomen Start It Up Pitch Competition! Selected as one of six entrepreneurs from across the nation, she competed with five other women last Wednesday, July 21, pitching her company to a panel of judges for a chance to win money from the $25,000 pool of funds. Cassandra will receive $7,000 from the Coca-Cola Foundation for second place.
YWCA Central Alabama will recognize the Building Communities, Bettering Lives (BCBL) AmeriCorps end of year and program by hosting a Virtual End of the Program celebration at 11:00 a.m. and an in-person End of the Year celebration from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Both events will be held on July 15, 2021. The virtual celebration welcomes AmeriCorps members, supervisors, alums, and past stakeholders to honor the 12-year legacy of the program.
Today’s Derek Chauvin sentencing motivates YWCA Central Alabama to continue bringing awareness to the pervasiveness of systemic and institutional racism and to end it once and for all.
Let’s be clear, Derek Chauvin, trusted to protect and serve, senselessly ended George Floyd’s life, forcing America to face an issue that has long plagued families of color and reigniting the cry for racial justice.
Although no number of years will bring Mr. Floyd back, this case marks an inflection point in the arc of the moral universe.
YWCA Family Resource Center Hosts Paid Summer Internship for Teens
Birmingham, AL- YWCA Central Alabama is pleased to announce the start of the 2021 CREW (Creating Responsible Educated Working teens) workforce development program. The paid internship opportunity hosted through YWCA’s Family Resource Center (FRC) will be a professional and personal development platform for 25 Birmingham area students from June 7-July 2, 2021.
YWCA announces recipients of small business grants
Since March 2021, 36 Birmingham area women of color and other women have participated in YWCA Central Alabama's WE360 Business Essentials program for entrepreneurs. Ten of those women were selected to receive financial grants to help establish or further their businesses.
Today marks one year since George Floyd’s life was tragically and brutally taken. Since May 25, 2020, a racial reckoning began to take place in America and strides have been made. Police accountability bills have been introduced in Congress. Americans began discussing what defunding law enforcement actually means. Corporations started recognizing Juneteenth. Organizations and individuals have become aware of racial injustice issues and have become activated to create change and take action against racism.
YWCA Central Alabama enjoyed First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s visit April 9 to its nationally accredited Child Development Center as part of the Help is Here tour. Dr. Biden stopped in Alabama to amplify how the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 addresses childhood poverty. “What an amazing 118th birthday present for YWCA Central Alabama to be in the national spotlight for our work to address the needs of women and their families,” Dr. LaRhonda Magras said. Magras gave the First Lady a tour of YWCA Central Alabama’s Child Development Center and shared with her that it is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
My Sister's Closet Partners with Hope with Grace to Offer Free Prom Dresses
The pandemic might have changed a great deal for many, but prom can still be special for area high school students. YWCA Central Alabama's My Sister's Closet is partnering with Hope with Grace to offer free prom dresses to area girls. The gorgeous assortment of new and gently used gowns and shoes is available to all who need them. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting 205-401-7493. Hope with Grace is at 1913 Avenue F, Ensley, AL 36218.
YWCA Central Alabama's Family Resource Center annually conducts CREW (Creating Responsible Educated Working teens). CREW is a virtual/in-person four- to seven-week summer enrichment program that primarily serves Woodlawn teens entering 9th-12th grades. However, other high school students within the Greater Birmingham area are also encouraged to apply for the June 7-July 2, 2021, camp. #YWCACrew2021
YWCA Central Alabama's annual Purse & Passion program will be livestreamed Thursday, April 29 at 11:30 a.m. (CDT). Tune in to hear powerful stories from families the YW serves. Some Table Captains will also host viewing parties at their homes. Virtual guests can log in to view the livecast from anywhere. Don't miss the YW's largest fundraiser, which raises more than $600,000 each year to support YWCA Central Alabama's domestic violence services; child and youth development programs; and safe, affordable housing. Register or give at purseandpassion.swell.gives.
