2016 ANNUAL REPORT Mohawk Valley YWCA MOHAWK VALLEY IS ON A MISSION TO ELIMINATE RACISM, EMPOWER WOMEN, STAND UP FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, HELP FAMILIES, AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES. About YWCA Mohawk Valley YWCA Mohawk Valley has been serving Utica and the surrounding areas since 1885, when we joined with YWCA USA, the oldest and largest multi-racial women’s movement in the world. We have been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of equity and empowerment. YWCA Mohawk Valley is: ▶ The only provider of Domestic and Sexual Violence Crisis Services in Oneida County. ▶ The only Child Advocacy Center and provider of Sexual Violence Crisis Services in Herkimer County. ▶ The leading provider of Transitional Housing for homeless victims of domestic violence in our Central New York Region. ▶ The leading provider of Transitional Housing for homeless young women and men. ▶ The leading provider of Prevention Education on topics of healthy relationships, sexual harassment, dating violence, bullying, child abuse, and domestic and sexual violence. ▶ Champions for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. IN 2016, YWCA MOHAWK VALLEY REACHED OUT MORE THAN 26,405 TIMES TO SAVE, SUPPORT, AND EDUCATE ALL PEOPLE WORKING AND LIVING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. 2 Dear Friends, As we look back at 2016, we are amazed and thrilled with the unwavering support and devotion YWCA Mohawk Valley continually receives from this community. Your dedication to our programs keeps us moving forward as we strive to embrace our mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. This past year represented ongoing growth and changes in our agency as we expanded our crisis services program; redefined our housing program; reaffirmed our focus on social justice; and explored new and exciting ways to raise awareness and reach out to you, our community of supporters. In 2016, we worked diligently on securing the funding needed to bring two Child Advocacy Center advocates to our team. Once again, we brought the message of eliminating racism to the community by participating in Stand Against Racism, a national campaign led by YWCA USA. We also participated in another national effort, the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Campaign, which helped us raise funds and awareness of the growing concern of financial abuse, a form of domestic violence not often discussed. Looking to the future, we see the potential for additional change and growth for YWCA Mohawk Valley as we move forward, united, with the goal of serving our community. We could not do this without all of you, and for that we will be forever grateful. Sincerely, Dianne Stancato, Dietra Harvey, Executive Director/CEO Board President 3 YWCA MOHAWK VALLEY IS ON A MISSION TO AID PEOPLE AS THEY RECLAIM THEIR OWN POWER TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND VIOLENCE-FREE. 4 DOMESTIC & SEXUAL VIOLENCE CRISIS SERVICES IN ONEIDA COUNTY Our services to victims of domestic violence and sexual violence include: ▶ A confidential Domestic Violence/Sexual Violence Hotline, available 24/7. ▶ A team of certified, specially-trained advocates. ▶ Safety planning, crisis counseling, resources and referrals, and information. ▶ Advocacy and accompaniment in the courts, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and on college campuses. In 2016: We provided We opened We received 4,037 815 2,386 instances of advocacy new domestic violence and domestic violence and and support. sexual violence cases. sexual violence hotline calls. 5 CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE CRISIS SERVICES IN HERKIMER COUNTY As part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), our staff provides accompaniment and advocacy during the traumatic process of reporting, as well as counseling, support, comfort, and healing to child victims of sexual abuse and extreme physical abuse, and to adult victims of sexual violence. In 2016: We served We advocated during We provided We provided 452 children 124 accompaniment during 294 and adults. forensic interviews. nine counseling sessions to 85 CHAMPS Exams child and adult victims of (Child Abuse Medical Provider). sexual violence. 6 YWCA MOHAWK VALLEY IS ON A MISSION TO PROTECT AND DEFEND OUR CHILDREN. 7 YWCA MOHAWK VALLEY IS ON A MISSION TO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT OF LEARNING, AWARENESS, JUSTICE, AND EMPOWERMENT. 8 PREVENTION EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAM IN HERKIMER AND ONEIDA COUNTIES Our Prevention Education and Outreach program serves as a voice for our mission and services by building community ties and promoting healthy lifestyles, in Herkimer and Oneida counties. We promote awareness and community action around issues of racism, bullying, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment, child abuse, and LGBTQ rights. In 2016: We continued to strengthen our We connected with We provided outreach to Social Justice nine more than program with events like Stand private and state-funded 10,837 Against Racism; by holding public institutions of higher learning individuals, from kindergarten gatherings for people to unite in through the Enough is Enough to senior citizens, living and support of women's issues; and Initiative, providing advocacy working throughout Herkimer by attending rallies and marches and education for victims of and Oneida counties. in support of women's rights and sexual violence. human services agencies we work with regularly. 9 RESIDENTIAL CRISIS SERVICES IN ONEIDA COUNTY In 2016, we provided the opportunity of a second chance at life for approximately 206 adult and child victims of domestic violence through our emergency shelters and transitional housing programs. In 2016: Hall House Lucy’s House New Horizons Our Utica-based, 16-bed domestic Our Rome-based, six-bed domestic Our residential program for violence shelter provided homes for violence safe dwelling provided safe homeless and runaway girls, 39 children housing for aged 16-21, cared for and adults. 18 children and 21 adults. six youths. 68 *partial year number New Horizons Plus Willow Commons Our residential program for homeless Our transitional housing and case young adults, aged 21-24, cared for management program for homeless female victims of domestic and sexual seven abuse, housed and five male residents. 10 19 children and 21 adults. YWCA MOHAWK VALLEY IS ON A MISSION TO PROVIDE A SECOND CHANCE FOR THOSE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO ARE READY TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES. 11 A SURVIVOR’S SUCCESS STORY Jaqueline’s first encounter with a YWCA MV advocate occurred in the ER (Emergency Room), where she fled after being raped by her boyfriend. Visits to the ER and encounters with advocates soon became a regular occurrence, as the incidences of domestic violence escalated in Jaqueline’s relationship. Finally, she accepted the services that had been offered repeatedly by each advocate responding to the crisis calls. “I realized this was my life, and I felt he was going to kill me if I continued. The hotline, family court, police department, and support group staff all helped me stay safe with daily safety plans, by helping me get an order of protection, and by providing on-going support. They helped me get my life back, and I became empowered. The help of the advocates made me a survivor.” - Domestic and Sexual Abuse Survivor, Jaqueline. 12 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dietra Harvey, President Angela Blair, Vice President Phyllis Breland, Secretary YWCA MOHAWK VALLEY’S Marianne Reynolds, Treasurer Honorine Wallack, CFP, Assistant Treasurer Kathleen Williams Alcott TREASURED LEADERSHIP Marabella Colon Jennifer DeWeerth U’Nice Elliott Elizabeth Snyder Fortino, Esq. Outgoing Board Member, Marianne Reynolds (2011 to 2017) Alicia Foster Dawn Laguerre We thank you for your dedication, leadership, and support! C. Sonia Martinez Pamela Matt, Esq. A 2009 Salute Academy alumna, YWCA Mohawk Valley Board Cathleen McColgin, Ph.D. Member Marianne Reynolds has devoted a good portion of Amy Palmieri her free time to YWCA Mohawk Valley and her community. Abby Puleo In addition to serving on the YWCA MV board from 2011 to Katherine Shea Skyler Srivastava 2017, Marianne has held the positions of board treasurer and assistant treasurer. LEADERSHIP Dianne Stancato, When not involved with her YWCA MV board responsibilities, Marianne focuses on Chief Executive Officer serving as part owner of PJ Green, Inc., and part owner of the New Hartford Town Claudette George, Chief Operations Officer Crier. Elizabeth Pellegrino, Marianne has also volunteered with and served numerous community Chief Financial Officer organizations, including the Boilermaker Road Race, The House of the Good Kari Procopio, Chief Advancement Officer Shepherd, and Stevens-Swan Humane Society. She is also a current board member Michael Gugula, of the Baggs Square Association, and served as a board member of the Women’s Human Resources Director Karen Lubecki, Employment and Resource Center. Crisis Services Director Marianne resides in New Hartford with her husband, Dennis. She has three sons: Richard Massaro, Joe (Becky), Rob, and Andrew (Lauren); and two grandchildren, Gabe and Sienna. Controller 13 Big Moose Community Chapel The Olde Wicker Mill David and Lisa Corasanti The Paige Group YWCA MOHAWK VALLEY'S William and Eleanor Corrigan The Random Act of Kindness Group Jessica Cunningham The Yang Foundation DONORS Robert Dell Toshiba Business Solutions Jennifer DeWeerth and Total Solutions Steve Ellingson Utica College Young Scholars, LPP U'nice Elliott Utica First Insurance Company $5,000 TO $9,999 Debra Deronda Dietra Harvey Robert Wittman and William Bartle Carbone Auto Group Eldon G. DeWeerth Colonel James G. Hill Richard L. Hanna and John and Nancy Dick Elizabeth Hubbard-Ovens Kimberly Hanna $250 TO $499 Francis J. & Ruth A. Pugliese IBEW Local 43 Debra and Jack Altdoerffer Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc. Family Fund Jeremiah O. McCarthy UBS Financial Services, Inc. Mabel W. Bishop Foundation Foundation, Inc. Sheri Alterman Dr. Marybeth K. McCall and Kids Oneida, Inc. Michael T. and Carol A. Bannigan Dr. Frank J. Dubeck, Jr. Erika K. Klar and Black River Systems $2,500 TO $4,999 Phyllis A.H. Breland American Heart Association Mohawk Valley Community College John G.