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July 16, 2020 Giving Guide 2020

YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc.

Responding to the Crisis:

Black, Latinx and other people of color and low-income groups are suffering the brunt of COVID-19. As a result, the YWCA is more committed than ever to our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. 

When COVID struck, the YWCA had just begun a long-awaited major construction project to renovate our 60-year-old facility. We have had to navigate both our response to the COVID-19 crisis and the facility-wide upheaval due to the renovation project while still providing crucial services.

While we have closed our doors to the general public during this crisis, we continue to provide our core services to those in need: child care for the families of health care workers, emergency responders and other essential employees; transitional housing for single women; and domestic violence services, including emergency shelter and 24-hour help line/chat line.

Many of our other services, including domestic violence advocacy and support, continue to be provided to participants, but where possible, are offered virtually and by phone. Staff has also been reaching out to our Girls CHOICE, Young Parent Program, and other program participants for well-being checks and to determine their individual/family needs for food, health and safety, hygiene or other essential supplies.

The YWCA’s most critical needs are: 

  • Equipment and software to enable staff to effectively conduct their work remotely. With the abrupt and unanticipated move to remote work, staff had to make do with whatever technology they could. They are using their own networking equipment, Internet providers, laptops, cellphones, printers, and supplies.
  • Staff training on navigating virtual platforms and developing virtual curricula. We anticipate that COVID restrictions, while they may loosen a bit, will continue to be with us for some time. As a result, we need to develop the skills and knowledge to more effectively deliver programming remotely.
  • Funds to ensure the YWCA’s ability to keep up with increased cleaning and sanitation protocols, provide personal protective equipment for staff, and other unanticipated expenses associated with new health and safety guidelines instituted by the state and its program funders, in addition to closing gaps in program delivery and funding.

Future Goals

1. Engage members and the community in ongoing, direct social action and advocacy in support of the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. 

2. Assist women and their families in becoming independent and economically self-sufficient through direct service and advocacy.

3. Create a supportive environment that fosters diversity and promotes inclusion through social action and advocacy.

4. Create a community that develops women’s leadership and works toward achieving equity for women and girls.

5. Provide quality programs and services that fulfill our mission, while meeting community needs.

6. Participate as a partner in community initiatives that further reflect and support our mission.

7. Maintain financial stability and increase resources for greater financial independence and sustainability.

8. Recruit and retain an active, diverse and talented pool of staff and volunteers. 

Fundraising Opportunities

In fall 2020, the YWCA will host a virtual fundraising event commemorating the 135th Anniversary of its founding. The event will include the recognition of our 2020 Katharine F. Erskine Award recipients, our domestic violence services, and the important racial justice and gender equity work the YWCA does every day to elevate the lives of people of color, women and girls in our community. 

LIVE Campaign Gala, Spring 2021

Stand Against Racism, April 2021

All events are open to the public. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available. For details about these and other YWCA events, contact the Development Office at 508-767-2505, x3009 or email events@ywcacm.org.

Sponsor/Host a YWCA Event – Make a difference in your community by raising awareness of available YWCA services and by introducing the agency to potential corporate and individual donors. Hold a house party, cell phone drive, ask friends and family to sponsor you in an athletic event, invite friends to a “baby shower” for our teen parents. For ideas, visit the YWCA’s website or call the Development Office for assistance.

Giving Opportunities

Annual Giving is one of the YWCA’s most important fundraising efforts. Funds raised provide unrestricted gifts that close the gap between the true costs of operating programs and existing funding. This allows the YWCA to be flexible and responsive to unexpected challenges and new opportunities that help us support programs and services in these key areas: racial justice, empowerment and economic advancement, and health and safety of women and girls. Donors may designate contributions to specific programs/services, including the Camper Scholarship Fund.

LIVE leading with integrity & vision for equality Capital Campaign – A donation to the capital campaign supports a $24 million renovation of the YWCA’s main facility at One Salem Square – the first since the building’s opening in 1961. For information or a tour, contact the Development Office at development@ywcacm.org or 508-767-2505, x3009.

Donate online, by mail or by phone – Make a one-time or recurring donation online at www.ywcacm.org/donate; send check to YWCA Central Massachusetts, 1 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608; or contact the Development Office at 508-767-2505, x3009 or development@ywcacm.org

Volunteer Opportunities

Whether you have just a few hours to complete a one-time project or the time to make an ongoing commitment, there is important work to be done at the YWCA. Opportunities are available for individuals and small groups, for high school and college students, young female professionals, adults and retirees. The YWCA is looking for volunteers to serve as Girls CHOICE mentors for middle and high school girls; read to children; help with special event fundraising; serve as a program intern; and to assist with ongoing building maintenance. To find out more, contact Human Resources at hr@ywcacm.org or complete a volunteer application available at ywcacm.org.

YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc.

MISSION STATEMENT

To eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc.

1 Salem Square
Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: 508-791-3181 

www.ywcacm.org

Full-time employees: 81

Annual revenues: $8,095,673 

Year founded: 1885

Service area: Central Massachusetts 

Top funding sources:

Government Fees/Grants 52%

Program Service Fees 26% 

Contributions including Annual Fund, Capital Campaign, United Way, Other 22%

Board of Directors

Linda Cavaioli, Executive Director

Roberta Brien, Worcester Business Development Corporation, Board Chair

Christie Bik, President-Elect

Yuisa Perez-Chionchio, Vice President

Kristin Sawash, Treasurer

Kristin DeSousa, Assistant Treasurer

Mary Feeney, Clerk

Susan Lopez, Assistant Clerk