The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, and freedom for all. We Believe ...in protecting and nourishing the uniqueness of women ...in encouraging the growth and development of all girls and women and their families ...in responding to human needs in our community in a timely way with special attention to needs not being addressed by others ...in serving people of all religions, races, and economic levels ...in effecting change through non-violent political and social means ...in promoting the positive power of education ...in being fiscally sound ...in providing a compassionate environment for our constituency. 15,000 nights Over 15,000 nights of safe shelter to nearly 400 women and children Albion Fellows Bacon and her friends from Trinity Methodist Church established the YWCA of Evansville in 1911 to address the urgent need for clean, safe and affordable housing for women who were coming from the country and outlying towns to Evansville for employment in mills and factories. From its inception, the YWCA has always provided housing and other services for women. It has altered its programs over the years to meet the changing needs of women in our area. Current programs include a Domestic Violence Shelter, Emergency Housing Program, and a Transition Housing Recovery Program. In addition, the YW serves over 200 at-risk girls through its after-school and mentoring program, Live Y’ers, which culminates in college scholarships to graduating seniors and continuing students. Other YWCA programs include a Summer Fun Day Camp, a Food Pantry open daily, and public programs. a letter from the CEO Dear Friends, We are proud to present you with the 2011 Annual Report of the YWCA of Evansville. The year 2011 was an exciting time which marked the 100th birthday of the YWCA. Hundreds of YWCA supporters attended Centennial events including the Founder’s Day Open House, 100 Years 100 Women Reception, Tribute to Achievement, Legacy of Style and the Holiday Luncheon. The love and support that you have given to this organization is extraordinary. As we embark upon our second century of service, we are still evolving to meet the needs of the community. Every day we deliver life-changing social services for women and children from all walks of life with the goal of empowering women and eliminating racism. When you think about the YWCA, I ask that you remember one word: Success. Success is what our clients experience because of the hard-working YWCA staff, productive community partnerships and the generosity of our donors. Success ... as mothers and children rebuild their lives and begin to heal from the trauma of abuse; as at-risk girls discover their full potential; as homeless women in recovery maintain sobriety and work towards financial independence … the list goes on and on. In this annual report, it is our pleasure to share our most recent accomplishments. As we reflect upon our work, we are amazed by the courage and perseverance of our clients and staff as well as the impact your donations have made in our community. Each of you—our individual donors, corporate sponsors, and funding partners—has helped make these successes possible. We continue to remain focused on stewardship of our resources and your donations and we are profoundly grateful for your generosity. Together, we strive to strengthen our community. Through the ongoing contributions of people like you, we are working to improve the quality of life for hundreds of Evansville area residents and ensure that our second century of service is characterized by the same level of excellence and achievement as our first. Thank you for being an integral part of the YWCA and all that we do. Sincerely, Executive Committee 2011/2012 YWCA Board of Directors Sharon Ruder Christy Baker Michelle Jackson President Tammy Barnett Judy Kattmann Amy Barron Barbara Keller Joy Biggs Cindi Beeler Jane Wittmer-Kuhn 1st Vice President Marjorie Blalock Jerrilee Lamar Danyelle Granger Kathy Boyd Dee Dee Leitch 2nd Vice President Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley Jennifer Moore Susan Helfrich Susan Daniel Stephanie Morris Secretary Davena Day Rachel Nadeau Elizabeth Barnes Carolyn Egan Chris Richardson Treasurer Ellada Hadjisavva Gwen Sandefur Martha Goldman Cherona Hajewski Joann Schwentker Kim Hermann Pam Hight LaToya Smith Sherrianne Standley Vicki Hubiak Carrie Terry Cindy Fine Sheila Huff Susan Vaughn Lisa Imbler Daniela Vidal Marianna Wright RACIAL JUSTICE children participate in counseling and support groups. Tutoring and The YWCA seeks to foster opportunities to engage in open dialogue about summer day care is provided for school-aged children. The YWCA also race, racism, and race relations—giving groups and individuals the training provides emergency housing and similar services for women and their and support they need to address these topics in their lives and children who are homeless due to reasons other than domestic violence. communities. Our goal is to encourage women to make their own decisions and to provide the support services they need to implement and follow through In 2011, the YWCA partnered with Evansville’s Celebration of Diversity on those decisions. Distinguished Lecture Series to facilitate community workshops on racial justice, diversity and cultural understanding in conjunction with “The Black In 2011, the YWCA shelter provided 5,304 nights of safe shelter to over Jew Dialogues” performance. This theatrical curriculum addressed 250 women and children. Our compassionate and dedicated staff themes such as stereotyping, hate, faith, self-interest vs. social conscience counseled 523 women and children. Our award-winning legal advocate as well as commonality and differences. A special presentation was also helped 75 victims of domestic violence secure protective orders or coordinated for the students at Bosse High School. navigate the criminal justice system. We responded to over 2,600 calls on our 24-hour crisis and referral hotline. LIVE Y’ERS The YWCA serves an average of 200 at-risk girls each year through the TRANSITION HOUSING RECOVERY Live Y'ers after-school and mentoring program. The goals of the program PROGRAM (THRP) are to delay pregnancy and graduate from high school. The impact of this The YWCA provides a highly structured four-phase residential program for program is well documented. In 2011, 100% of Live Y'ers seniors enrolled homeless women in recovery from substance abuse. In 2011, THRP at Bosse High School graduated compared with Bosse's overall provided approximately 10,000 nights of safe shelter. The typical client graduation rate of 71%. In addition, the pregnancy rate for Live Y'ers in entering our program is unemployed and without resources. She has very 2011 was 0%. This compares favorably with the national overall little contact with her family and has likely lost custody of her children due pregnancy rate for at-risk, minority girls of 15%. to her history of substance abuse. Our case managers immediately begin working with new clients to assess their needs and develop personal The YWCA achieves these goals by establishing a long-term relationship goals for them. Clients create an Individual Development Plan and they with girls that begins in 3rd grade at either Lodge or Glenwood schools review their progress with their case managers. The overall goal for the and lasts until senior year at Bosse High School. Our program is unique THRP clients is that they will comply with all program guidelines, remain in that we work with the girls over a 10 year period. There are many other sober, and complete the program. During this time, clients are attending short and midterm goals to accomplish before we reach the ultimate goal daily NA/AA meetings, meeting with their sponsors, struggling to of high school graduation. Girls in grades 3 - 8 attend after-school achieve/maintain sobriety and seeking employment. Therefore, it is programming at the YWCA where they are provided with swimming imperative that the YWCA provide them with the essentials such as food, lessons, math and science enrichment activities, arts & crafts, cooking, clothing, personal care items, counseling and recovery educational lessons on life-skills, decision making, peer pressure and health. materials. Beginning in 6th grade, Live Y’ers girls are matched with an adult mentor. In providing support to clients for these basic needs, the YWCA provides a Topics of interest are discussed over lunch with adults who offer guidance foundation for success. Each client is able to focus on her personal goals and support. We follow graduating 8th grade girls to Bosse High School and recovery. We have provided housing and services to several pregnant where mentoring and after-school activities continue through 12th grade. women who gave birth to drug-free babies while participating in this Daily activities include self-esteem building exercises, lessons on life-skills, program. hygiene, health, peer pressure and making good decisions. Girls meet with staff and mentors throughout the year to discuss abstinence, sexuality, In 2011, 75% of the women who remained in the program at least three (3) health issues, and reproduction using age appropriate materials. They months obtained employment or secured income through Social Security learn decision-making skills, how to deal with peer pressure, and Disability. 36% completed the eight month program and 25% remain in participate in a variety of academic activities. the program today maintaining sobriety and employment, completing personal goals, and ultimately planning to move into permanent housing. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER There is a very high recidivism rate for this hard to treat population; The YWCA opened Evansville’s first domestic violence shelter in 1979 in however, in 2011, 88% of the women who exited the program were order to provide a safe, secure haven for women and their children who employed or receiving SSI. are victims of domestic violence.