our New 2015 Annual Report

Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women,
Standing Up for Social Justice, Helping
Families and Strengthening Communities
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Find your YWCA at www.ywca.org
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015
The YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. is dedicated to eliminating racism,
empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Dear Friends of the YWCA-GCR:
I hope this letter finds you in the best spirits and that you know, how much the YWCA-GCR appreciates you as
a friend. Twenty-Fifteen has been by far one of the most successful years! I am excited to write to you to say
thank you, share an overview of our success, vision, strategic plan focus and introduce you to the YWCA-GCR
2015 Annual Report. The YWCA-GCR’s achievements, sustainability of services and programs, heightened
visibility in our community and the Greater Capital Region, physical plant and program improvements, a
66% increase in our fundraising income including donations and contributions, etc., is due to your support.
You helped us make a difference Every. Single. Day. My HOPE is that you remain a strong friend of the
YWCA-GCR as your support is the reason for our success.
Program and Services Highlights: On any given day, the YWCA-GCR serves 104 women and over 40
children in our supportive transitional and permanent housing programs. We are one of the area’s largest
providers of supportive housing to both homeless single women and women with children. By providing
transitional and permanent housing combined with 360° of Support, the YWCA-GCR empowers women to
achieve their goals and to become self-sufficient. Our supportive services are available to and are utilized by
community members through My Sister’s Closet, Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work “Employment Training”
Program, Jamison-Rounds Ready for School Program, our Food Pantry and Weekly Community Meal. In
addition, we provide Homeless Prevention and case management services to Rensselaer County residents
facing eviction. In 2015, we prevented 60 individuals and 53 children from becoming homeless in Rensselaer
County. Twenty-six women graduated from our JR-RFW program and 83% gained employment, enrolled in
college or a GED/TASC prep class or enrolled in a trade school. Overall, the YWCA-GCR services, programs
and success rates were at an all-time high! We’re working hard to continue this pattern of success.
Daquetta P.
Jones
Daquetta
Jones
Executive Director
Executive
Director
Fundraising Spotlight: Our 2nd Annual Victorian Tea in Troy, 16th Annual Resourceful Women’s Luncheon
and inaugural 2015 Brava events had record breaking success! Our 2nd Annual Victorian Tea in Troy
had over 160 supporters in attendance at The Sage Colleges—Bush Memorial Hall. The 16th Resourceful
Women’s Luncheon honored Benita Zahn, Co-anchor of NewsChannel 13 as the Resourceful Woman of the
Year, Kenyetta Zachary as our Woman of Inspiration, and 23 other empowering women, at the Hilton Garden
Inn-Troy! There were over 400 supporters in attendance. The inaugural Brava event sold out and over 500
new bras were donated! Special thank you to, Marion Roach-Smith, local author, for taking action to address
a need at the YWCA-GCR and the Art Center of the Capital Region! As a result of our fundraising success, to
date, our donation and matching pledge has raised $95,000. Our goal is 165k by end of 2017!
YWCA-GCR’s Focus on the Future: The YWCA-GCR’s vision is to sustain, enhance and expand our unique
and cutting edge services to positively impact the lives we touch and continue to address the needs in our
community and in the Greater Capital Region. We have a big vision and we are committed to bringing it
to fruition, because there is a NEED, we have YOU and our dedicated, empowering and compassionate
staff and Board of Directors. To create the road map to fulfilling our vision, our Board of Directors, key
staff, and community supporters, worked diligently with support of a Nonprofit Adviser to develop our
5 Year Strategic Plan. Over the next five years, our internal and external stakeholders can expect to see the
following: Greater media and community awareness of our programs and achievements; Expanded
and diversified fundraising, including the establishment of a mission-based business; Enhanced
programming, particularly in the area of Racial Justice; An emphasis on staff development and the
addition of specialized staff to address the mental health and other health needs of our residents; A
plan for building renovation/expansion so that facilities meet our program needs; and a budget that
reflects financial resources to implement the above actions.
This will not be easy, but the YWCA-GCR will be engaging the broader community to address these critical
needs. We anticipate that working together; we will continue to enhance our services, programs and facilities
to meet the changing circumstances of the lives we serve.
Friend, please take a deeper look into our 2015 impacts, improvements, fundraiser events’ moments (you
just might be pictured), accomplishments, success stories and greater details about our unique and cutting
edge services and programs.
Thank you.
Warmest Gratitude,
A LETTER
FROM THE
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Daquetta P. Jones, BS, MHSA
Executive Director
2 | YWCA-GCR 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appear ~Anthony Robbins :)
YWCA-GCR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LISA LAGON President
CORINNE CAREY Secretary
THERESA MOROUKIAN First Vice President
WANDA ZYGMUNTOWICZ Treasurer
Jaeger & Flynn Associates, Inc.
Compassion and Choices
Mosaic Associates Architects
CUSTOMERicity, LLC
HONORABLE ELIZABETH WALSH Second Vice President
Rensselaer County Family Court Judge
ANIKA BOSTON
SUSAN DUNCKEL
LORI V. QUIGLEY, PhD.
MEGHAN CARNOWSKI
PATRICKA ELLIOTT
ELIZABETH SULLIVAN
DAVIA COLLINGTON
COLEEN PARATORE
LEESA CRAWFORD-YOUNG
CHAINA PORTER
Mohawk Opportunities, Inc.
Albany Medical Center
Rensselaer County Mental Health
Albany and Lansingburgh School Districts
Sweet Sue’s
Albany County CVSVC
The Sage Colleges - Esteves School of Education
Jaeger & Flynn Associates, Inc.
Author
SUNY Albany
YWCA-GCR STAFF
DAQUETTA JONES
ROBERTA FARRELL
BESSIE MABEE
BONNIE BENSON
EJAH GAY
PRISCILLA MILLIGAN
VIRGINIA MARINELLO
JONMARA FIELDS
MARY MILONE
MALISSA PILETTE-MCCLENON
AMY GIOVANNANGELO
JOAN NIMER
ELLEN RANDOLPH
ELIZABETH HALLER
SUE STIERER
STARLETTA SMITH
WILHEMINA HICKS
JESSICA TREMPER
LISA HOTTE
JACKIE WEAVER
Executive Director
Director of Housing & Supportive Programs
Director of Finance
Director of Development and Marketing
Director of Operations
Director of Transitional Housing &
Family Services
SHARA BRANON-BENDER
Front Desk Receptionist
Front Desk Receptionist
Housing Coordinator
Apartment Program Coordinator
Finance Assistant
Employment Training Instructor
Women In Transition Peer Advocate
Supervisor of Housekeeping
Housekeeper
Housekeeper
Front Desk Receptionist
Apartment Program Coordinator
Front Desk Receptionist
Housing & Supportive Programs Administrator
Homeless Prevention Coordinator
MARICHARD BORGES-RUIZ
ANITA KENNER
Front Desk Receptionist
Front Desk Receptionist
RANDY BURNS
BOB LEIBACH
Food Service Coordinator
Director of Maintenance
YWCA-GCR.ORG | 3
2015 SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
MY SISTER’S CLOSET provides free next to new professional
clothing for job interviews, new jobs and professional
appointments as well as casual clothing for our residents and
women and children from the community. A total of 817 clothing
packages were distributed in 2015.
FITNESS CENTER provides exercise equipment, as
well as assistance to women seeking to reach fitness
goals. Women have found stress relief, improved cardiovascular
performance, weight loss and increased self-esteem as a result of
using the fitness center. It was utilized approximately 498 times
in 2015.
COMMUNITY MEAL is a free weekly meal, open to the public,
where staff assist residents with menu planning, shopping, and
cooking, allowing them to enhance budgeting and basic life skills.
Community members, staff, and college students also participate
in meal preparation, serving, and clean-up. Meals often include
speakers and outreach coordinators from outside agencies on
topics such as education, wellness, health insurance, preventative
services, and more. A total of 3,552 meals were served during
2015.
FOOD PANTRY provides a three day (nine meal) emergency food
package for both YWCA-GCR and Rensselaer County residents.
The food pantry is open Mondays (2:00 - 4:00 p.m.) and Tuesdays
- Thursdays (1:00 - 4:00 p.m.) During 2015, 21,942 meals were
provided.
SALLY CATLIN RESOURCE CENTER (SCRC) is open during regular
business hours and some evening hours, to our residents as
well as members of the community, including men. There are
four computers that may be utilized for everything from goalsorientated to personal, such as job and apartment searching to
sending e-mail, and checking Facebook as means of staying in
contact with family and friends. There is a lounge area where
residents may sit with visitors. There is also a variety of local
resources that are displayed on the bulletin board. We strive to be
able to provide connections to any resources in the community
that a resident or guest would need. Volunteer to “host” the SCRC
to assist users with questions, signing in and out and keeping the
area clean and quiet. The SCRC was utilized 5,381 times during
2015.
SOLUTIONS TO END HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM (STEHP) is a
homeless prevention program that provides case management
and financial assistance to community members who are
facing eviction. Participants learn new: budgeting strategies,
employment enhancement skills, resume/cover letter writing, and
home organization techniques. STEHP encourages community
resource connections regarding: subsidized housing, appropriate
benefit and entitlement procurement, medical care, mental
health care, substance abuse treatment, and health insurance.
In 2015 the YWCA-GCR prevented 60 households and 53 children
from becoming homeless.
4 | YWCA-GCR 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
JAMISON-ROUNDS READY FOR WORK TECHNOLOGY CENTER
provides nine computers with internet access for Jamison-Rounds
Ready for Work classes. They are available by appointment to
residents and community members enrolled in online college
courses, conducting research, performing job searches, looking
for housing or practicing computer skills. In addition, our JamisonRounds Ready for School Program provides educational support
and resources available for a full range of educational needs,
including advocacy and assistance with student loan default.
A total of 84 women utilized the Jamison-Rounds Technology
Center approximately 1,693 times in 2015.
The population of the YWCA-GCR varies from year to year.
Many women choose to reside at the YWCA-GCR while
“getting back on their feet” while others choose to make the
YWCA-GCR their permanent home. In 2015, 156 women and
45 children lived in YWCA-GCR on-site housing programs. The
following are the demographics and characteristics of the women
we served.
RACE
Asian
African-American
White
Hispanic
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Multi-racial
Native American
1%
43%
47%
14%
2%
6%
1%
AGE
18-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61-70
71-up
8%
33%
17%
20%
10%
7%
5%
CONDITION
Substance Abuse
Domestic Violence
Mentally Ill & Chemically Addicted
Mental Health Diagnosis
Physical Disability
2 or more of the above conditions
Developmental Disabilities
39%
27%
23%
49%
6%
61%
3%
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION
Did not complete high school
Did not complete junior high school
Completed GED
Graduated high school
No schooling completed
Secondary school
29%
6%
17%
36%
1%
11%
2015 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY (SRO) Our on-site 76 permanent safe,
affordable, and permanent housing program for single homeless
women meet the diverse needs of our residents. Communal living
provides shared bathrooms, kitchens, laundry, and lounges. YWCAGCR support staff are available to all residents around the clock for
assistance at various levels. During 2015, 102 women resided in the
YWCA-GCR SRO Program.
Length of stay for 2015:
1-6 month stay
7-12 month stay
1-2 year stay
2-5 year stay
5-10 year stay
10 years and up
Avg. Length of Stay
11%
16%
20%
30%
15%
8%
4 years
WOMEN IN TRANSITION (WIT) The WIT Program provides 14 rooms
for both homeless single women and women and their children, and
is designed to assist with multiple barriers to permanent housing:
lack of employment, education, and life skills, mental illness, prior
incarcerations, substance abuse, and domestic violence. WIT is
a transitional living program -- woman can stay up to 2 years on
average. Most women and children secure permanent housing in 6
months. The goal is to provide the skills and resources the women
need in order to transition into permanent housing. Participants are
required to set goals, complete household chores, work with at least
two community service providers, and attend weekly WIT meetings.
During 2015, 49 women and 40 children resided in the YWCA-GCR’s
WIT Program.
FAMILY APARTMENT PROGRAM The YWCA-GCR provides 4 on-site
1-bedroom apartments for homeless women with children. The
women who enter this program have a disability and are referred
from the YWCA-GCR Women in Transition program and Rensselaer
County COC Coordinated Entry Taskforce. The apartments include
a bedroom, small living/dining area, kitchenette and bathroom.
Residents benefit from comprehensive case management and other
supportive services provided by the YWCA-GCR staff. During 2015, 5
women and 5 children resided in the YWCA-GCR Family Apartment
Program.
APARTMENT PROGRAM The YWCA-GCR provides 10 community
apartments for homeless women with a disability and their
children. Many of these women face multiple barriers to
maintaining permanent housing. Often these women have not been
connected to the services they require. Through case management
and supportive services these women are empowered to gain the
skills they need to maintain their housing. During 2015, 10 women and
27 children resided in the YWCA-GCR Community Apartment
Program.
JAMISON-ROUNDS READY FOR WORK PROGRAM The 12-week
Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work Employment Training Program
provides women with job readiness training in the form of skill building
workshops including on-site work experience at the YWCA-GCR Front
Desk, Food Pantry, My Sister’s Closet, and the Sally Catlin Resource
Center. In each session, 8-12 participants complete 20 weekly training
hours. The JRRFW Program is held 3 times per year followed by a
graduation at the end of each session.
The JRRFW Program collaborated with more than 35 providers in 2015.
Some of the partners are Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County,
Cornell Cooperative Extension, CapCom Federal Credit Union, Alliance
for Positive Health, Planned Parenthood, Questar, Sandra Rouse,
Community Volunteer -- just to name a few.
Participants also engage in workshops and trainings provided by YWCAGCR partners and staff, and attending one-on-one case management
sessions and group discussions and activities. In 2015, 26 women
graduated from the Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work program. Of the
26 graduates, 83% went on to find gainful employment, enrolled in
college classes, or GED/TASC prep classes.
During 2015, we had a total of 10 graduates that went on to study a
trade including CNA (4 women) at EOC and ACAP (Albany Community
Action Partnership), Culinary Arts (5 women) at EOC and Schenectady
County Community College. One graduate also went on to study
locksmithing at Bryant & Stratton. Of these 10 women, 6 engaged in
GED preparation studies through both Questar II and EOC and 2 of
these women have obtained their GED.
3 graduating classes (April, July, and December)
In November 2014 we had 35 providers and in December 2015,
there were 39.
Bryant & Stratton is one of our providers. They provide workshops
and $2000 scholarships for graduates that are ready to continue on
to higher education. Additionally, Bryant & Stratton offers the Penn
Foster High School Diploma.
Our graduates have found employment or educational success after
graduation with some of the following organizations and companies:
Bank of America, Dunkin Donuts, Joseph’s House & Shelter, Wal-Mart,
Securitas Security Systems, The Eddy, Salvation Army, Two Brothers
Restaurant, and YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.
YWCA-GCR.ORG | 5
SPECIAL
THANKS TO:
More than 150 people attended the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.’s debut Victorian
Tea fundraiser on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Bush Memorial Hall on the Russell Sage Campus.
It was a wonderful event full of fun, fancy hats, history, food, and of course tea. The event
raised more than $13,000.
Audubon New York
Elle Bienvenu
Corinne Carey
Buttercup Cookie, LLC
Gina Caputo
Jessica Centore
The City of Troy
The Charles F. Lucas Confectionary & Wine Bar
Davia Collington
Anne Coonrad
The Country Trunk
Tarasha Darden-McKoy,
Principle Owner Tarasha’s Originals
Desdelan Photography
Enchanté Whole
Leaf Teas
Enigma Co.
Kala Evans
Essance Fiddemon
Hilton Garden Inn- Troy
JK Bloom
Daquetta Jones
Meghan Keenholts, Esq.
Lisa Lagon
Lane Press Printing
Lisa Robert Lewis
Samantha LoCicero
Lauren Mackay
Gabriella Marsh
Brandi Miller
Kate Minahan
Morgan Linen Service
Theresa Moroukian
Naturally Grown
nibble inc.
Dr. John Pelizza
Malissa Pilette-McClenon
Rhe Potenza
Proctors
Lori V. Quigley, PhD
The Recovery Room
Rensselaer County Historical Society
Rumors Salon & Spa
The Sage Colleges
Samantha Secular
The Shop
Sabrena Smith
Sodexo
Tricia Stampfli, Mary Kay Independent Beauty
Consultant
Beth Sullivan
Alexandra Sutherland
Sweet Sue’s
Troy Farmer’s Market
The Troy Record
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Truly Rhe
Ungerman Electric/
Seven Blessings Jewelry
Beth Walsh
The Whistling Kettle
Yankee Trails
Benita Zahn
The Victorian Tea in Troy was a fun-filled day for the whole family, featuring a delicious
English style tea with all of the fixings: tea sandwiches, scones, and desserts, all catered by
Sweet Sue’s in Troy. Guests enjoyed a lively performance of Victorian poetry and music from
students at the Theatre Institute of Sage, followed by a historical trolley tour of downtown
Troy with a tour guide from the Rensselaer County Historical Society. More than $2,500 worth
of prizes were given out during the afternoon for the three best hats in the fashion show and
the lucky raffle contest winners.
“This fundraiser raised the awareness of YWCA-GCR’s mission, services, and therefore
connected us to new supporters, which we greatly appreciate,” said Executive Director,
Daquetta Jones. “My hope is that they remain lifelong supporters! Because of our supporters
we successfully exceeded our fundraiser goal. We will utilize the raised funds by investing in
our unique and cutting edge services to SEE that they Sustain, Enhance and Expand. This is
what fundraising is about! It’s fun, educational, and an empowering experience where we
develop new relationships; advertise the great support businesses and community partners
provide through their participation, sponsorship, donations; bring awareness of community
needs as well as our much needed services.”
Sponsors for the event included: Russell Sage College; Stewart’s Shops; E. Stewart
Jones Hacker, Murphy, LLC; Tri City Rentals; Jaeger & Flynn Associates, Inc.; Gramercy
Communications; Nicoll & MacChesney Insurance; Mosaic Associates; Halliday Financial;
Dwight Plumbing and Heating, Inc.; Theatre Institute at Sage; Times Union; and Morgan
Linen.
VICTORIAN
TEA IN TROY
SUNDAY,
APRIL 12, 2015
6 | YWCA-GCR 2015 ANNUAL
SAVE THE DATE: 2016 VICTORIAN TEA IN TROY
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, BUSH MEMORIAL HALL: 1:00 - 3:00
2015 FINANCES
For the year ending December 31, 2015
REVENUE
Government Funding & Grants***
$710,608
Program Revenue
387,567
Donations & Contributions***
70,229
Daycare Rental
70,292
Memberships
3,030
Fundraising***
46,648
Investment & Interest Income
11,243
Other***
19,437
TOTAL
$1,319,054
EXPENSES
Program Services
$1,369,389
Management & General
95,638
Fundraising
14,510
TOTAL
$1,479,537
Increase (decrease) in net assets
$ (160,483)
Net assets at January 1
$4,691,514
Net assets at December 31
$4,531,031
* This report is based on non-audited information
** Expenses include $167,418 for Depreciation which is a non-monetary expense and gets added
back into total assets at the end of the year
***An anonymous donor has made a generous matching pledge to us. For 2014, 2015,
and 2016, for every $10,000 of public support (includes private foundation
grants) the YWCA-GCR raises, an additional $2,500 will be donated.
City of Troy
Emergency Solutions Grant
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program
New York State Office of Mental Health
New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance
United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.
US Department of Housing & Urban Development
2015 FUNDING SOURCES
YWCA-GCR.ORG | 7
2015 YWCA-GCR DONORS
MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS
3M
Mary Abbott
Dawn Abbuhl
Caitlin Abram
Diane Acosta
Albany District Links
Albany Heath Management, Inc.
All Spirits Kindred, Inc.
Aimee Allaud
Bill Alston
Dr. Jane Altes
Ambient Entertainmental, Inc.
John Ambuhl
Senator George A. Amedore, Jr.
American Heart Association
America’s Best Cleaners
AMRI
Martha Newcomb and John Berwick
Andrew Stegemoeller and Mary Lynch
Rose Kent and Thomas Kelsh
Anonymous
Elliot Anshelevich
Susan Arbetter
architecture +
Kelli Arnold
Judith Austin-Rancourt
Axiom Communications
AYCO Charitable Foundation
Ashley Ayers
Victoria Baecker
Sean Ball
Sarah Baluch
Sharon Bates
Maude Baum
BBL Hospitality
Robert Beach
Gail Beckett
Diane Benson
Mark Berger
Alaina M. Bergerstock-Finan
James Berkovitz
Berkshire Bank
Beth Walsh
Laura Bierman
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Abraham and Jean Bolgatz
Anika Boston
Bouchey Financial Group, Ltd.
Lisa Bourassa
Caitlin Brennan
Senator Neil D. Breslin
Sylvania Brown
Jaleesce Brown
Tracy L. Bullett
Estelle Burns
Margaret Bushee
Maura Byrd
Sarah Caciola
Diane Cameron Pascone
Rita Cao-Garcia
CAP COM Federal Credit Union
Capital Region Chamber
Capital Region Living Magazine
Capital Region Women@Work
Capital Roots
CapitalCare Medical Group
CARES
Jacqueline Carey
Corinne Carey
Holly Cargill-Cramer
Patricia Carley
Karen Eileen Carlson, Esq.
Meghan Carnowski, MPH
Karen Carpenter Palumbo
Leah Carroll
Michael Castellana
Center for Disability Services
ceo
Bonnie Chavin
Chemung Canal Trust Company
Leslie Cheu
Nancy Chiarella
Christ Church United Methodist
Joyce Quaranta Chupka
Dr. Cherie Clark
Deanna Cohen
Communications on Demand
Susan Comninos
Phyllis Conroy
Diane Conroy-LaCivita
Corey Jamison Consulting
Leesa Crawford-Young
Nettie Crossman
Virginia M. Crotty
Lindsey Crusan
Don and Joan Csaposs
Robert Curley
CUSTOMERcity, LLC
Susan Dake
Mary D’Amico
David Davis
Pearl Delaney
Delta Mu Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kapa
Alpha Sororiety
Marilyn Desmond
Desmond Hotel
Sandra Dinoto
Honorable Robert Doherty
Elizabeth Donohue Doviak
Katie Doran
Sheryl Dounane
Michelle Doyle
Jake Dumesnil
Curtis Dunagan
Carmen Duncan
Sue Dunckel
Dwight Plumbing & Heating
E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy, LLC
Deborah Elam
Reverand Donna Elia
Patricka Elliott
Julie Elson
8 | YWCA-GCR 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
Emma Willard School
Enchante Whole Leaf Teas
Inna Erlikh
Ann Errichetti, MD, MBA
Richard and Donna Esteves
Donna Esteves
Maureen Evers
Jane Fairchild
Jim Falasco
Patricia Fennell
Betti-Jo Filon
First Niagara Bank
First United Methodist Church
Lucia Fisher
Linda Flood
Susan Fogarty
Sandra Fox
Melissa Frenyea
Dr. Philip Fusco
Patty Fusco
Fusco Personal Inc.
Davia Gaddy-Collington
Karla M. Gareau, MBA
GE Foundation
Kaitlyn George
Cynthia Glynn
Jane N. Golub
Karen Good
Andrea Googas
Marea Gordett
Gramercy Communications
Christopher Greagan
Green County Mental Health
Barry and Karen Greene
Linda Griffin
Rose Grignon
Groff Networks, LLC
Marilyn Guynup
Elizabeth Haldeman
Trudy Hall
Liz Haller
Halliday Financial
Veneilya Harden
Nora Harder
Lori Anne Harris
Mary Harrison
Richard Hartt
Joan Hayner
Heart to Heart Artworks
Dr. Kathryn Henningson
Wilhemina Hicks
Barbara Higbee
Gladys Hirsch
HMS Agency
Anissa Hochberg
Paul and Alane Hohenberg
Alane Hohenberg
Hoosick Valley Contractors Inc.
Kathleen Hope
Denise Horan
Deven Horne
Integrated Management and Sales Consulting
Jiffry Ismail
Jaeger & Flynn Associates
Linda Diane Jaffarian
James Pickett Photography
Corey Jamison
William Jamison and Nancy Brown
Honorable Kathleen Jimino
Jordan & Savoy CPAs
Christy Johnston
Daquetta Jones
Joseph’s House
Eileen Julian
Junior League of Troy
Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group
Susan Kambrich
Marjorie Kaplan
Diane Kavanaugh-Black
Marty Keary
Mary Keefe
Nancy Keenholts
Meghan Keenholts, Esq.
Angela Kelly
Lee Kemp
Tracy Kennedy
KeyBank
Cindy Kilgallon
Lynn Kinlan
Kathy Kirsch
Amy Klein
Bryar Knox
Lynn Kopka
Monica Kurzejeski
Kathleen Kussler
Kasey Laboy
Barbara LaFleur
Amy LaFountain
Lisa C. Lagon
Edward and Ellen Laird
Paul Lamar
Hilary Lamishaw
Lane Press
Kathy Lanni
Charlotte Leibach
Ron Levine
Literary Volunteers of Rensselaer County
Local Care Midwifery
Allison B. Loew
Lori Schindler Realty
Kristy Lory
Reverend Alexandra Lusak
Kim Lynch
Maureen Madden
Ruth Mahoney
Mary Kay
Hyacinth Mason
Julie Massry Knox
Shawn Mauche
Marie Maxwell
Marge Maxwell
Catherine McCann
Mary Kate McCarty
Ronnie McCluskey
Assemblyman John McDonald III
Mary Kay McGraw
Maureen McGuinness
Tom McGuire
Philoppine Meister-Berkenblit
Caroline Melkonian
Divina Mendoza
Merrill Lynch
Tracy Metzger
Gretchen Meyer
MicroKnowledge
Brandi Miller
Isabel Mills
Mission Accomplished Transition Services
Ellen Montiel
Ovsanna Y. Mooradian
Dan and Vikki Moran
Vikki Moran
Theresa Moroukian
Anne Morrill
Mosaic Associates Architects
Frankie Mueller
Mary Murphy
Meaghan Murphy
MVP Health Care
Evelyn Neale
Ann Marie Neilson, D.P.E.
Martha Newcomb
News Channel 13
Nina Nichols
Nicoll & MacChesney
Northwestern Mutual
NY Life
Maureen O’Brien Thornton
Suzanne O’Connor
Diane O’Connor-Easton
Reverend Deborah O’Connor-Slater
Timothy O’Hara
Kay E. Olan
Kate Ollier
Kate Otis
Jane Otto
Kaitlyn Oudt
Anthony Paganucci
Sue Palmer
Kim Panaro
Coleen Paratore
Nina Pattison
Pattison Sampson Ginseberg & Griffin, PC
Paul and Alane Hohenberg Fund
Lauren Payne
PEAK Residential Partners Team at Realty USA
Jessica Pelton Rowell
Ann Marie Perechinsky
Jeffrey and Deane Pfeil
Deane Pfeil
Susan Phillips
Albert Picchi
James Pickett
Noreen Pilette
Pine Haven Bed & Breakfast
Pioneer Bank
Tracy J. Pitcher
Kim Ploussard
Daniel Plunkett
Susan Poisson-Dollar
Stacy Pomeroy Draper
Jean E. Poppei, PhD
Mark Poskanzer
Rhe Potenza
Amy Potter
Sandy Powell
Price Chopper Supermarkets
Prime Lending
Sheilah Printz
Elissa Prout
Wendy Prout
Prout Printing
Dr. Lori V. Quigley
Elizabeth Racicot
Ratna Randive
Marcia Rapp Keefe
Realty USA
Rensselaer County Historical Society
Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of
Commerce
Rensselaer Land Trust
Repeat Business Systems, Inc.
Janet Reynolds
Shavina Richardson
Cheryl Richardson
Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron
Marion Roach Smith
Lisa Robert Lewis
Robison Family Foundation
Elissa Robison Prout
Paula Mia Rollins
Janet Ronbeau
Mayor Lou Rosamilia
Ken and Dorcas Rose
Rose & Kiernan, Inc.
Trish Rost
Sherry A. Rounds
Sandra Rouse
Norman Rowe
Raona Roy
Linda A. Rudnick Ed.D
Marjorie Rush
Russell Sage College
Lorayne Ruthman
Sean Ryan
Joann Ryan
SABIC Innovative Plastics
Samaritan Hospital
Jackie Sanchez
Sandler Training
Stewart Jones and Kimberly Sanger Jones
Anita L. Savoy
Ellen Sax
Mary Sayer
Mary Scanlan
Valerie Scanlon
Megan Schanstia
Lynn Scheiner
Lori Schindler
School 14
School 18
Susan Schuster
Schwab Charitable Fund
Christina Scorsone
Karen Seeley
SEFCU
Senator Kathleen A. Marchione
Sensory Six
SESCO, Inc.
Seymour Fox Foundation
Siena College
Theresa Skaine
Margaret Skinner
Richard Sleeper
Leah Slocum
Judy Smith
Marion Roach Smith
Anna Smith
Jennifer Soccio
Iris J. Soto
Spiral Design
St. Anne Institute
St. John’s Episcopal Church
St. Paul’s Center
St. Peter’s Health Partners
Tricia Stampfli
State of New York Unified Court System
Nicole Stein
Stewart’s Foundation
Stewart’s Shops
Thomas Stick
Sue Stierer
Paula Stopera
Margaret Story
Mary Theresa Streck
Beth Sullivan
Darlene Viall Suto
Sweet Sue’s
Reverend Marti Swords-Horrell
Tabner, Ryan and Keniry, LLP
Heather Tangora
Tangora Technologies, Inc.
Liz Taylor
Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C.
The Academy for Character Education at Sage
College
The College of Saint Rose
The Country Trunk
The Junior League of Troy NY
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Sage Colleges
The Troy Record
Betty Thornton
Claudia Tiberia
TL Metzger & Associates LLC
Congressman Paul Tonko
Debra K. Townsend
Janice Tricarico
Tri-City Rentals
TRIP
Troy Area Ministries
Troy City Hall
Troy City School District
Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Troy Web Consulting
Truly Rhe
Twin County Recovery Services of Columbia
and Greene County
Susan Ungerman
Ungerman Electric
Unity House
Lauren Valentine
Vanderheyden Hall, Inc.
Michael Vatalaro
Vee’s Cleaning Service
Erica Veil
Michele Vennard
Sheila Viera
Marc Violette
Joella Viscusi
Elizabeth VonEitzen
Elizabeth Voss
Jolene Wait
Dr. Irma Waldo
Honorable Christopher Maier and Honorable
Beth Walsh
Honorable Beth Walsh
Martha Walsh
Elizabeth Walsh
Christine Wasik
Lynn Waterman
Donna Watson
Wealth Advisory Group, LLC
Patty Weaver
Jackie Weaver
Valerie Weaver
Pattie Weissman
West Sand Lake School
Margery Whiteman
Whitney Young Health
Stefanie Wiley
MaryAnn Willetts
Michelle Withers
Dave Wojeski
Wojeski & Co.
Barbara Wood
Wood Whimsies
Woodland Hill Montessori School
Charles Yaros
Maureen Yee
Young Actors Guild of the Capital Region
Kristina Younger
YWCA USA
Benita Zahn
Anne Zwick Turner
Wanda Zygmuntowicz
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION
3M
Diane Acosta
Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber
Tara Allen
Elizabeth Allerton
American Heart Association
Audubon New York
Rose Aversano
Olga Avila
Marri Aviza
David Baecker
Pooja Bajaj
Kelly Baker
Robert Beach
Bell Top School
Bella Napoli
Ashley Bell-Bryington
Mark Bethel
Alecia A. Bilpuh
Michelle Bissonette
Kate Blanchard
Kathy Bloom
Michael Boettcher
Kevin Borowsky
Annee Borthwick
YWCA-GCR.ORG | 9
BossBlank - Just Giving
Kevin Bowman
Bowman Orchard
Bra & Girl
Sarah Braymer
Ashley Brookhart
Dr. Alison Brown
Tanetta Brown
Jonathan Michael Brust
Constance Buch
April Burch
Cindy Burke
Matthew Burnham
Liz Burrichter
Julie Bush
Michael Butler
Buttercup Cookie, LLC
Gabby Calabrese
Roseann Cane
Capital Region Women@Work
Capital Roots
Corinne Carey
Jamison Carlen
Meghan Carnowski, MPH
CDPHP
ceo
Joyce Quaranta Chupka
Elizabeth Clark
Preston Cohen
Terrence Collington
Communications on Demand
Diane Conroy-LaCivita
Anne Coonrad
Corey Jamison Consulting
Dolores Cottrell-Carson
Shaunet Craig
Jessie Cramer
Karen Cronin
Don Csaposs
Don and Joan Csaposs
Joan Csaposs
Pati Cumo
CUSTOMERcity, LLC
Matt and Sharon Cutler
Dali Mamma
Angela D’Amico
Deb Dayton
Bill DeGraff
Desdelan Photography
Desmond Hotel
Danae Dickson
Jennifer Dominelli
Katie Doran
Jessica Douglas
Deborah Doway
Stacy Dowd
Sue Dunckels
Tyrell Edge
Enchante Whole Leaf Teas
Enigma. Co.
Inna Erlikh
Katherine Farrow
Joe Favale
Essence Fiddemon
First Niagara Bank
Kris Fitzpatrick
Jen Forbes
Paula Franchomme
Jamie Furgang
Davia Gaddy-Collington
Niles Garden
Garden Bros. Circus
Brittany Garner
Elaine Gerwin
Xiomara Giboyeaux
Melissa Gilligan
Karen Good
Carley Gooley
Whitney Grey
Marianne Haggerty
Katrin Haldeman
Halliday Financial
Hannaford
Vic Christopher and Heather LaVine
Laura Hellwitz
Deb Henderson
Allie Herrington
Allison Hill
Hilton Garden Inn
Gladys Hirsch
Anissa Hochberg
Gabriella Hochberg
Marissa Hochberg
Amy Hochmuth
Anne Hohenstein
Tiffany Hults
Jaeger & Flynn Associates
JK Bloom
Christy Johnston
Daquetta Jones
Linda Jones
Colin Erickson and Katherine Smith
Mary Kazmierczak
Marty Keary
Nancy Keenholts
Dr. Bethe Kelley
Angela Kelly
KeyBank
Louise Kilbara
Amy Klein
Alicia Klinganon
Roshaun Knight
Melissa Komora
Megan Konikowski
Monica Kurzejeski
Kathleen Kussler
Ladies Who Launch
James LaFleur
Lisa C. Lagon
Lane Press
Renee Leader
Douglas Lenz
Jess Leskowitz
Lisa Robert Lewis
Yi Li
Vivian Li
Maureen Long
Cindy Lovely
Kelly Magoolaghan
Sheila Mahan
Sheila Mahan
Linda Maier
Francesca Mancino
Sheila Margosian
Ellie Markovitch
Mary Kay
10 || ywca-gcr
2014
annual
report REPORT
10
YWCA-GCR
2015
ANNUAL
Robert McCarthy
ShaQueen McColley
Mary Mclaren
Linda Meissner
Brandi Miller
Priscilla Milligan
Theresa Moroukian
Mosaic Associates Architects
Nancy Moye
Naturally Grown
Ann Marie Neilson, D.P.E.
News Channel 13
nibble inc.
Erin Niblo
Nicoll & MacChesney
Dee Nova
Kathy Obrien
Kevin O’Bryan
Daniel O’Callaghan
Ohav Shalom
Jennie O’Neil
Kate Otis
Kaitlyn Oudt
Dawne Owens
Renee K. Panetta
PEAK Residential Partners Team
Dr. John Pelizza
Sharifa Perry
Peter Young Housing, Industry, and Treatment
Debbie Peters
Alice Peters-Baker
Laura Petrovic
Susan Phillips
Mark Pietrafesa
Noreen Pilette
Malissa Pilette-McClenon
Pinnacle Human Resources, LLC
Tracey Poissant
Gabrielle Polak
Rhe Potenza
Paula Presley
Price Chopper
Proctor’s Theater
Dr. Lori V. Quigley
Don and Dr. Lori V. Quigley
Colby Raegan
Diane Ransom
Christopher Raymond
Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of
Commerce
Lesley Ret
Carol Rhoads
Florence Richardson
Nada Rifai
Loraine Robichaud
Tina Rockwell
Sandra Rouse
Rumors Salon & Spa
Russell Sage Circle K Club
Maryann Russo
SABIC Innovative Plastics
Sage Esteves Education Department
Sagettes
Sabra Sanwal
Marty and Janine Schultz
Mike Sheehan
Sherwin-Williams
Diane Shewchuk
Vicki Signore
Slackhollow Farm
Leah Slocum
Meg Smith
Starletta Smith
Sodexo
Salvatore Spinnato
Cate St. George
St. Peter’s Hospice Inn
Tricia Stampfli
Michael Stanzione
State of New York Unified Court System
Margaret Story
Beth Sullivan
Heather Taylor
Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C.
The Charles F. Lucas Confectionary & Wine Bar
The College of Saint Rose
The Country Trunk
The McCarthy Charities
The Orchestra Now
The Sage Colleges
The Saratogian
The Shop
The Susan O’Dell Taylor School
The Troy Record
The Whistling Kettle
Theatre Institute at Sage
Brian Thomas
Claudette Thornton
Kathy Thornton
Stephen Tobin
Cathy Town
Debra K. Townsend
Natalie Trichilo
Troy Family YMCA
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Troy Waterfront Farmer’s Market
Truly Rhe
Namgyal Tsepak
Harry Tuturjian
Susan Ungerman
Ungerman Electric/Seven Blessings Jewelry
Unified Court System
Charmaine Ushkow
Theresa Vanterpool
VisionPower Consulting
Mary Barbara Voland
Jazmine Wallace
Honorable Beth Walsh
Honorable Christopher Maier and Honorable
Beth Walsh
Martha Walsh
Erin Weisberg
Sheryl Welton
Diana Westbrook
Colleen Whitaker
Kara Wilhelm
Todd Williams
Kami Willis
Yankee Trails
Benita Zahn
Kelly Zanylo
Christopher Ziegler
Wanda Zygmuntowicz
We have made every effort to recognize each contribution and donor. If we have made an error,
please accept our apology and notify us at 518.274.7100 or malissap@ywca-gcr.org
ALICIA
Alicia was first introduced to the YWCA-GCR when she was placed
here as a work site through Project Hire. During that period, she
worked closely with the Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work Program
staff as an administrative teaching assistant. She assisted with
classroom planning, activities, bulletin boards, discussions,
tutoring, and resume writing. Shortly after the class ended, she
was asked to interview to join the the program as a student.
“It was the end of winter 2013 when I joined the Jamison-Rounds
Ready for Work program; I was a newly single mother who was
unemployed. I had no family or close friends living in the area for
support and was unsure of what my next move would be, or even
where life would take me. I loved the fact that our class was very
diverse, and we all came from different backgrounds and walks of
life. We all had a life story to tell, but in the end we were not much
different from each other at all,” say Alicia. “The Jamison-Rounds
Ready for Work program refreshed my skills and gave me the
motivation I needed to move forward in life. Sometimes I wonder
where I would be if I hadn’t joined this program.”
Following graduation, Alicia used the connections she had
established while in the program at the YWCA-GCR to search
for employment. In May of 2013, she interviewed at The Sage
Colleges - Troy, and before she knew it, she was working with
some wonderful individuals as the Regional Project Coordinator
of a professional development grant through Commission on
Independent Colleges and Universities.
“I absolutely loved this job! In April of 2014, I was able to purchase
a vehicle of my own, on my own! Currently, I am employed at the
Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Central Office
through a temporary staffing agency, and am working towards
more. My goal is to gain a full time position with New York State.”
“My relationship with
the staff was wonderful.
I always felt welcomed
walking through the
doors of the YWCA-GCR,
and was always first
greeted by Miss Ejah
with a, “good morning.”
Just waking up in the
morning knowing that
I have a place to go,
grow, learn and interact
with others was great
and very motivating.”
“The Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work Program is truly a HIGH
need in the community and so many can benefit from what the
YWCA-GCR and the JR-RFW program has to offer. I am very proud
of all of my accomplishments and will be eternally grateful to the
YWCA-GCR staff, volunteers, supporters and the program itself.”
YWCA-GCR.ORG | 11
DIASIA
Diasia’s story begins like many of the women’s stories who find themselves
at the YWCA-GCR. Her childhood was unstable and she was constantly being
bounced around. When she was sixteen, she moved to the Capital Region from
Georgia to be with her father. She was going to school and trying to do right.
She later became pregnant. Her father was extremely upset and they didn’t
see eye-to-eye about how to raise her child. The relationship deteriorated and
her father kicked her out. She was homeless, pregnant, and afraid. It was at
that moment she decided she needed to make a change for herself and more
importantly for her baby – she needed to learn to live on her own and gain
more independence.
“The YWCA-GCR is
amazing. They helped
me with so much, but
most importantly with
building my confidence
and helping me gain
my independence. They
will give you a hand,
arms, legs, whatever
you need to succeed.”
“I don’t know what I would have done without my experience at the YWCAGCR,” says Diasia. Starletta Smith, Director of Transitional Housing and Family
Services, and Lisa Hotte, Women In Transition Peer Advocate, helped Diasia
gain the skills she would need to live on her own. “Starr and Lisa are such
wonderful people. They provided me with parenting advice, educational tips,
and discipline structure. They would even help me with transportation to and
from work if necessary. This gave me so much more confidence. I could feel
myself growing and knew I could do anything no matter what the situation.”
“When I first encountered Miss Diasia, she was a scared young mother who was
determined to build a better life for herself and her young son. During her time
in the Women In Transition program, Diasia blossomed and came into her own
as a young woman with multiple jobs, a successful student, an amazing mother,
and eventually a health care professional with a home of her own. Throughout
her journey of growth, Diasia has remained a humble, kind, optimistic, and
motivated member of her community and of the world. I am certain she will
continue to grow and accomplish far more than we could fathom. I am grateful
to have known Miss Bethea, and so very proud of all that she has achieved,”
says Starletta Smith, Director of Transitional Housing and Family Services.
A little over a year ago, after just a short period of time living at the YWCAGCR, the staff helped Diasia find an apartment through Troy Housing Authority.
“Starr helped me write my housing resume and application to show where I
had lived, my job history, etc. My son, Malik, is now two-years-old and we are
both doing wonderfully. I became a Certified Nurse Assistant and have been
working at Van Rensselaer Manor for more than a year.”
“The YWCA-GCR taught me that you can get help with anything as long as you
want to help yourself. As long as you have the strength and knowledge to want
to overcome, they will help you get there. It’s about your attitude, and as long
as you have a positive attitude anything is possible with their support. I am
looking forward to going back to school to become a Licensed Private Nurse on
my road to going to college to become a Registered Nurse. And of course being
a better mother to my son – I am always working on that.”
12 | YWCA-GCR 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
ED
If you’ve never heard of the YWCA-GCR’s Solutions to End Homelessness
Program (STEHP), you’re not alone. This program which prevented more
than forty families from becoming homeless in its first year in 2013, is one
of our best kept secrets. Ed hopes that by sharing his success, we change
all of that. STEHP is a homeless prevention program that provides case
management and financial assistance to Rensselaer County community
members who are facing eviction. Participants learn new: budgeting
strategies, employment enhancement skills, resume/cover letter writing,
and home organization techniques.
Ed entered the program in 2013. He had been living in the Capital Region
since 1990, but had been struggling with drugs and alcohol his whole life.
After he left a seventeen-year marriage, things really began to get tough.
He found he was unable to pay his bills and was homeless. He went to six
different programs for assistance, but kept being turned away. He was
hesitant to contact the YWCA-GCR because he thought we only served
women, but he gave it a shot and that’s where he says everything began
to turn around for him.
“STEHP is focused on more than just preventing individuals from
becoming homeless. It’s a program of hope -- for people who are on the
verge of homelessness and then are able to keep their housing -- what
a relief, but that’s just where our program starts. Hopefully by the time
I have helped address their housing concerns, participants have more
of the bigger picture challenges figured out or at least a greater sense
of hope for their future. That’s my ultimate goal,” says Shara BranonBender, the YWCA-GCR’s Homeless Prevention Coordinator (pictured
with Ed).
“My knees were really bad and I had just had surgery and was living in
a terrible apartment on the second floor with no elevator. I was really
struggling. I only had disability coming in and it wasn’t enough to
cover everything. Shara changed all of that,” says Ed with a smile on
his face. Shara met with Ed and helped him find a new apartment that
was handicap accessible. She also helped him access $400 a month in
retirement funds, find part-time work, and most importantly health
insurance.
“In 2013 I met an angel
named Miss Bender.
When you get so many
people telling you, ‘No,’
you start to believe
it, but she believed in
me, which made all
the difference. I was so
relieved to get some
help and she has been
helping me ever since.”
“STEHP is the best program I have ever been involved with,” says Ed.
“Anything I need, Shara is there. It’s just a great program – they don’t
judge me for where I’ve been, what I’ve done, or my skin color – Shara
just says, ‘Yes, how can I help you?’ I believe as long as I am part of this
program, nothing but good will come to me. I just need to keep myself
straight and keep going. I want everyone who needs help to know about
this program. They just need to be unashamed of asking for help too,
and then the YWCA-GCR can work another miracle for them like they did
for me.”
YWCA-GCR.ORG | 13
SPONSORS
Capital Region Women@Work
Groff Networks, LLC
The Saratogian
KeyBank
Corey Jamison Consulting
Dwight Plumbing & Heating
E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy, LLC
First Niagara Bank
Fusco Personal Inc.
Hilton Garden Inn
Jaeger & Flynn Associates
MVP Health Care
Pioneer Bank
SEFCU
Tri-City Rentals
Ambient Environmental
architecture +
Honorable Beth Walsh
Bouchey Financial Group, Ltd.
CUSTOMERcity, LLC
Halliday Financial
Lane Press
Lori Schindler Realty
MicroKnowledge
Mosaic Associates Architects
Nicoll & MacChesney
Repeat Business Systems
Rose & Kiernan, Inc.
SABIC Innovative Plastics
Senator Kathleen A. Marchione
Siena College
Sweet Sue’s
Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C.
Troy Web Consulting
Ungerman Electric
Wealth Advisory Group, LLC
Wojeski & Co.
RESOURCEFUL
WOMEN’S
LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 30,
2015
More than 400 people attended the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. Resourceful
Women’s Luncheon on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Troy. It was
the largest attendance for the event ever. The event raised a record-breaking $34,900.
The Resourceful Women Luncheon Awards were established in 2000 to recognize and honor
those whose community and professional pursuits advance the empowerment of women,
a core value of the YWCA-GCR’s mission. The luncheon strives to honor everyday women,
not just well-known women in highly visible positions. These accomplished, energetic, and
committed women represent the YWCA-GCR’s spirit of empowerment.
The luncheon honored Dr. Benita Zahn, News Anchor for NewsChannel 13 as Resourceful
Woman of the Year. Since 2010, Dr. Zahn has emceed at the YWCA-GCR’s Resourceful Women’s
Luncheon. She was honored for all of her accomplishments, support, generosity and the
embodiment of a Resourceful Woman!
Kenyetta Zackery, a graduate of the Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work Program, was named
the YWCA-GCR’s 2015 Woman of Inspiration.
Twenty additional, amazing women were honored at the event. Each of the women were
chosen because they embody the mission of the YWCA-GCR, and are successful, resourceful
and strong women. The honorees were:
EDUCATION:
• Rita Cao-Garcia and Barb Nelson - Project Leaders, Community Art at the Troy High
Alternate Learning Program
• Mary D’Amico- Founder and Director of the Program, Young Actors Guild of the Capital
Region
• Cynthia Kilgallon- Principal, School 18
EMERGING PROFESSIONAL:
• Kaitlyn Oudt- Administrative Assistant, KeyBank
• Olivia Prout- Business Services Specialist II, Capital Bank
ENTREPRENEUR:
• Brandon Dewyea- Owner, Moxie
• Carmen Duncan- CEO & Founder, Mission Accomplished Transition Services
• Heather Howley- Owner & CEO, Independent Helicopters
• Fazana Saleem-Ismail- Founder, Jazzy Sun Birthdays
FRONT-LINE:
• Gail Watson- Administrative Manager, Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C.
• Erika Groff- Chief Household Officer
MANAGEMENT:
• Joan Regan Hayner- Chief Executive Officer, CapitalCare Medical Group
• Paula Stopera- CEO/President, CAP COM Federal Credit Union
• Jessica Trowbridge- Operations Manager, Capital Roots
• Sheila Viera- Business Development Officer, Pioneer Bank
PHILANTHROPY:
• Grace Nannette Ashe- Community Volunteer
• Leah Slocum- Realtor, to PEAK Residential Partners Team at Realty USA
PUBLIC SERVICE:
• Patricia Fahy- Assemblywoman, New York State Senate
• Dr. Irma Waldo- Medical Director, Twin County Recovery Services of Columbia and
Greene Counties
Thank you to everyone who attended the event and helped make it
such a success. We would also like to thank Tarasha Darden-McKoy,
Principle Owner Tarasha’s Originals, Jim Kambrich, The Hilton Garden Inn, Colleen Ingerto,
Lane Press, MicroKnowledge, Inc., Regalo, The Times Union, The Troy Record, and Working
Pictures.
14 | YWCA-GCR 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
BRAVA
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015
5:30 - 7:30 P.M.
Our inagural Brava sold-out
fundraiser that provided new bras
to women at the YWCA-GCR,
was held at The Arts Center of the
Capital Region. The Arts Center
was a partner in the event which
featured fourteen talented writers
from around the region who read
jury-selected poems and essays or
performed songs and monologues
on the subject of brassieres in
their lives. The pieces touched
on the subject of bras from many
viewpoints and ranged from
the poignant to the hilarious.
Submissions were reviewed and
selected by a juried panel. Each
of the pieces was limited to 750
words.
The event was emceed by
Susan Arbetter, well-known
Capital correspondent and radio
commentator. For those who
wanted to double up on a “night
of stories”, the event served as an
unofficial pre-party for the NPR
“Selected Shorts” event at 8:00
p.m. that night at the Troy Savings
Bank Music Hall.
2015 Resourceful Women’s Luncheon
2015 Brava Fundraiser
Attendees each brought a new
bra to the event in addition to a
$25 admission to cover savories,
desserts and refreshments.
The food was supplied by Dali
Mamma, an Albany eatery that
locally sourced the ingredients
and prepared an exciting menu
with the help of YWCA-GCR’s
Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work
Program participants, residents
and students in the “Women
of the World” class at Russell
Sage College. The event raised
awareness, received extensive
media coverage, 500 bra
donations, and nearly $5,000 in
donations.
YWCA-GCR.ORG | 15
YWCA OF THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION INC.’S 360° OF SUPPORT
The 360º of Support model is a range of services customized to meet each woman’s individual needs to empower
women to achieve their goals and become self-sufficient. Our 360º of Support allows women to define their goals,
and with support, work together to achieve them. Individualized case management in conjunction with the YWCA of
the Greater Capital Region, Inc. programs, support from community grants, volunteers, and collaborative partnerships
provide 360º of Support for the women the YWCA-GCR serve. The women who come to the YWCA-GCR face different
challenges, but with 360º of Support they can achieve financial independence, sustain permanent housing, secure and
maintain consistent employment, recover from addiction, enjoy family reunification, dignity, and wellness.
By providing 360º of Support, women of the YWCA-GCR are empowered to become accomplished
citizens of the community. 360º of Support enables the YWCA-GCR to provide all residents and program
participants with tailored services they need to be successful.
Since 1883, the YWCA-GCR has provided safe, affordable and supportive housing to women. Today, we are one of the
area’s the largest providers of supportive housing to both homeless single women and women with children.
YWCA OF THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION, INC. | 21 FIRST STREET | TROY, NY 12180
T: 518.274.7100 | F: 518.274.2572 | YWCA-GCR.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/YWCA.GCR