Welcome to - YWCA Greater Los Angeles

one
greater los angeles
Working together for peace, justice, freedom, equality and dignity.
Welcome to
ONE VOICE,
ONE MOVEMENT,
ONE VISION.
Job Corps 2013 Summer Graduation
“Dream Catchers” Motivated By NBC’s Biggest Loser Celebrity
The YWCA Greater Los Angeles’ Job Corps, which serves
over 1,100 young people every year, held it’s Summer
Graduating Class of 2013 commencement on Friday, August
23rd at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year’s
graduation theme, “Don’t Let Your Past Determine Your
Future” was presented by keynote speaker, Ms. Wyann
Vaughn, Padadena City College Instructor and special guest
motivational speaker Dolvett Qunice from NBC’s “The
Biggest Loser”.
Ms. Wyann Vaughn eloquently stated, “You can catch
any dream you imagine. Be yourself! Be supported! Be daring! Be open! Finally,
beware and be aware!” She went on to encourage graduates to actively learn who
they are, seek mentoring relationships that support their goals and try new things.
She implored them to remain open to constructive criticism and to make choices
that propel them forward in life.
Ms. Vaughn concluded her inspirational speech with one of her favorite childhood
songs, entitled Shine. The entire assembly of Job Corps graduates, as well as
supporters in the audience, cheered Vaughn with a standing
ovation. Her speech resonated with the ceremony’s remaining
speakers as well, as they referred to the graduates as “dream
catchers” through the duration of the event.
The 2013 Job Corps
graduation received coverage
on ABC Channel 7 News.
If you would like to
receive One Voice via
email, please email
monica.galindo@ywcagla.org.
Fitness expert and television star, Mr. Dolvett Quince, also
delivered a motivational and congratulatory speech of overcoming
adversity and achieving goals. Though he was a foster child, he did
not let his difficult childhood dictate what his future would hold. A
positive male role model in Mr. Quince’s life demonstrated how to
live and inspire him to be better. As a result, Mr. Quince pursued
his passion and became a leader in his field of health and fitness.
Job Corps Graduation continued on back page.
WHAT’S INSIDE
October 2013
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October: Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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Board President Receives Prestigious Award
pg 3 Women Behind the YWCA GLA
pg 6 YWCA GLA Partners
We create a safe spac e to live, learn and grow.
YWCA GLA Director to
Serve on the State of
California Domestic
Violence Advisory Council
YWCA GLA Director of Sexual Assault Crisis Services
Alva Moreno was appointed by the Ways & Means
Committee to serve on the State of California Domestic
Violence Advisory Council. Ms. Moreno will be advocating
for rights and employment protections for women who
have been sexually assaulted.
“Our job is to look at funding streams around the state
as it relates to domestic violence,” said Alva Moreno. “Our
group of fifteen (15) assures guidelines and protocols are
followed by domestic violence centers across
states that include
rights on the job.”
Congratulations
Alva Moreno!
The YWCA
Week Without
Violence™, the third
week in October, is an
international initiative
created by YWCA USA
in 1995 to mobilize people in communities all across the
United States and the world to take action against all forms
of violence, wherever it occurs.
The YWCA GLA will be holding Week Without Violence
activities on the campus of California State Long Beach.
To learn more about Week Without Violence – find events
near you; learn facts about dating violence, hate crimes and
violence against women; and get anti-violence resources
visit www.ywca.org.
Women Behind the YWCA Greater Los Angeles:
Ruth Hern, Senior Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Log on to purplepurse.com and register purse code 01020
along with your zip code to support YWCA GLA.
October is Domestic Violence
Awareness Month
Celebrating 28 years of improving the quality of life for those
victimized by sexual assault, the YWCA GLA is a vital resource for
women who are involved in domestic violence and sexual assault
and is an expert resource in the field at a state, regional, and
national level.
Pass the Purple Purse!
Over the past three years the YWCA GLA has participated in
Allstate’s Purple Purse Campaign. Through this campaign, the
Allstate Foundation raises awareness about domestic violence by
providing grants and resources to organizations like the YWCA
GLA who work directly with survivors.
This year, thirty two YWCA agencies across the country
are participating in the foundation’s Purple Purse Campaign.
Throughout the month of October, hundreds of purple purses
carrying domestic violence information will be given to Allstate
employees and agents, local YWCAs, government officials,
celebrities, media and domestic violence leaders to pass along
between friends and family. Each time a YWCA purse is passed and
registered on PurplePurse.com, The Allstate Foundation will donate
$10 back to that local YWCA.
“All the participating YWCAs have an opportunity to raise up
to $10,000,” said Sharon Shelton, YWCA GLA Senior Director
of Empowerment Services. Visit www.purplepurse.com for
information!
Faye Washington Receives Standing Ovation at National
Sexual Assault Conference
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On Wednesday, August 28th, YWCA GLA
CEO Faye Washington inspired a crowd of over
1,400 participants from across the country as she
served as the Keynote Speaker at the National
Sexual Assault Conference (NSAC), a national
conference offering training for experts in the
field of sexual assault.
“I’ve been in this fight a long time,” said Faye,
recounting how she has learned to be an efficient
and successful advocate. “Getting where we are
today has taken the strength of a whole lot of
women,” she added, “pushing us all to embrace
our passions, find the right tactics, and get
down to work. You tell me it can’t be done. It
can be done!”
Sharon Shelton, YWCA GLA Senior
Director of Empowerment Services, and
Alva Moreno, YWCA GLA Director of
Sexual Assault Crisis Services, both further
represented the YWCA GLA by sitting as
panelists. Ms. Shelton participated in the
sexual assault and incarceration panel and
Ms. Moreno joined on the self-defense against
sexual assault panel.
They say behind every great
executive is a great team. At the
YWCA GLA, this is no
exception. Meet Ruth Hern,
Senior Executive Assistant to
President and CEO, Faye
Washington.
Ms. Hern brings over 30 years
of experience in the non-profit
sector to the Executive
Department and is an
invaluable team member at the YWCA GLA.
Why does the mission of the YWCA resonate with you
personally?
As a Hispanic woman, being a minority in the workforce,
I want to help empower women in my shoes to find their
way. The mission of this organization is a perfect fit for
me. Being in the new building with the Job Corps students
and staff, makes our work even more tangible. The most
gratifying and fulfilling part of this work is being a part of
the solution to real problems.
Tell about your position at the YWCA GLA.
I have been with the YWCA GLA for nine (9) years
as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO,
Faye Washington and also act as the Board of Director
Liaison. Ms. Washington and I work very closely together.
Knowing her well helps me anticipate her needs. We’ve
built a strong bond over the years and now supporting her
is intuitive for me. We’re in sync. Because of this, I am
afforded the opportunity to be involved in many areas of
the organization such as Finance, Fundraising, Programs
and special projects.
In addition, I work alongside the senior directors.
Moreover, Faye has empowered me to represent her
regularly at various meetings and events.
Why is the work of the YWCA important to the
community?
We have seen much progress with recent capital projects
that benefit the community at large. Union Pacific has
reaped benefits in a huge way from our presence there.
This center is a hub for positive change in the communityit is serving as a model for the direction the YWCA GLA
is going. Also, the Urban Campus is a physical example of
how the Los Angeles community has been positively
impacted by our work. Our physical presence amongst
students and center staff has bolstered their understanding
of who we are, what we do, and why it is important to us
to help students succeed. Job Corps interns are frequently
assigned to work in the Executive office and when they
leave, their shoulders are a bit higher, they have greater
tools and their sphere of influence is changed. This is
tremendous work, but there is still much to be done.
Nugget Moment: Tell about a memorable experience as
Senior Executive Assistant.
The October 4, 2012 Urban Campus Grand Opening
was a surreal day for me. Ms. Washington had given the
Mayor a personal of the building before the event. When
we walked out to
the event stage,
the cheers were
overwhelming. It
felt like we were
rock stars. So many
people came out
to support this
effort and cheer
our success and
it gave me an
amazing feeling of validation for the years of arduous
work that Ms. Washington and her YWCA staff had
experienced. That moment was major for me. Now that
we have a strong physical presence downtown, we are
working to keep up that momentum and maintain the
impact of the movement.
What is something that others may not know about you?
I am the youngest of seven children. My daughter Danielle
and granddaughter Brooke are the lights of my life. My
family and I were featured in a Roman Meal nutritional
video called, “Running on Empty? Fuel Up with the Right
Foods.”
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YWCA GLA Board
President Receives
Distinguished Award!
Eleanor Beasley in the Spotlight!
YWCA GLA Board President, Eleanor Beasley, was chosen
to receive The Women’s City Club of Pasadena 2013 Gloria
Gartz Award.
The YWCA GLA team and La Ranchera
930 AM Radio Personalities
The Gloria Gartz Award was created
as a tribute to Ms. Gartz, who was a
catalyst of women-driven community
contributions in Southern California, in
particular in the Pasadena community.
Ms. Beasley received the 2013 Award
in celebration of her outstanding
contributions to the community,
for being a visionary, embracing
diversity, empowering women and the
community.
Past honorees include internationally-known executive coach,
best-selling author and keynote speaker Dr. Lois Frankel,
and last year’s recipient, Christina Regalado, Vice President
of Programs with the California Wellness Foundation. Ms.
Beasley was presented with the award at a dinner event on
Saturday, July 27th in Pasadena, California. Congratulations
Eleanor!
Faye Washington Honored by
the National Alliance on Mental
Illness Urban Los Angeles (NULA)!
National Alliance on Mental Illness Urban Los Angeles (NULA),
honored YWCA Greater Los Angeles Chief Executive Officer, Faye
Washington, at their 10th Anniversary Luncheon held on July 20,
2013.
Founded in 2003, NULA provides education about severe brain
disorders, supports increased funding for research, and advocates for
adequate health insurance, housing rehabilitation and jobs for people
with serious psychiatric illnesses in communities of color. In addition,
NULA seeks to educate the public about the myths of mental illness to
eradicate stigma.
Ms. Washington was honored by NULA for her leadership of
YWCA GLA, which delivers programs that promote healthy minds
and empowered lifestyles to the Greater Los Angeles community.
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JOIN US AS WE HONOR AND
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY LEADERS
t h e
B A L L
NOVEMBER 8, 2013
YWCA GLA
In the Community:
Walnut Park Empowerment Center
THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL & BUNGALOWS
9641 SUNSET BOULEVARD BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA 90210
6:30 PM
8:00 PM
RECEPTION, RED CARPET ARRIVALS, SILENT AUCTION
DINNER, JAZZ ENTERTAINMENT AND AWARDS CEREMONY
VALET PARKING
August 16th - 18th YWCA GLA
participated in the Walnut Park Summer
Festival, which was held Downtown Walnut
Park. This annual community event, which
attracts over 60,000 attendees, was a great
way for the YWCA GLA to create awareness
and inform the community about the services
the Walnut Park Empowerment Center will
be offering.
YWCA GLA hosted a booth, distributed
Walnut Park Empowerment Center
information, as well as promoted our
upcoming Child Development, Senior and
Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL)
programs. La Ranchera 930 AM Radio
station provided simultaneous live broadcast
from the stage.
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Thank You YWCA Partners!
Home Depot, Edison International, United Way and Smart & Final, Make a Lasting Impact
The YWCA Greater Los Angeles would like to offer many
thanks to its generous partners, both new and long standing.
We greatly value our community partners and are excited
about the tangible difference their donations are making in
the greater Los Angeles area. Thank you Home Depot, Smart
& Final, Edison International, and United Way!
Home Depot
Compton Home Depot brought a new face to the YWCA
GLA Compton Child Development Center (CDC) and
grounds during their first “Beautification Day” held earlier
this year. Home Depot volunteers gathered
and assisted the CDC’s parents and staff
by painting a mural, planting trees and
vegetables and ultimately providing a
cleaner and brighter environment for
Compton families. Concerns in the
Compton area always include safety,
economic security, employment and education. The YWCA
GLA is committed to providing a safe space for all to live,
learn and grow. Home Depot’s partnership improves the
YWCA GLA’s ability to provide resources to Compton
children and families. Thank you Compton Home Depot for
your generous donation. We look forward to a continued
partnership!
Edison International
Thank you to our longstanding partner, Edison
International. Their
partnership with the YWCA
GLA has improved the lives of countless people in our
community. Their latest donation was a sizeable grant
along with ten laptops that will be used for the Walnut Park
Technology Center. Many thanks to Edison International for
this new grant! We are incredibly grateful for our partnership
with Edison!
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
The YWCA Greater Los Angeles
is thrilled to announce that we have
been approved for a Workforce
Development grant in the area of
Financial Stability from the United
Way of Greater Los Angeles! We
look forward to working together
with the United Way as we seek to create pathways out of
poverty and improve the quality of life for all in greater Los
Angeles. Thank you, United Way!
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Smart & Final Extra!
The YWCA GLA is so
grateful for business and
community partners like
Smart & Final. Smart
& Final recognizes the
importance of and invests
David Hirz, Chief Executive Officer of Smart &
in the YWCA GLA’s
Final Inc. and Eleanor Beasley, President of
YWCA Greater Los Angeles Board of Directors
successful Job Corps
program. This summer
Smart & Final hired twenty-three (23) Job Corps students to
staff its new Smart & Final Extra! Store at 845 S. Figueroa,
in Downtown Los Angeles. David Hitz, President and
CEO of Smart & Final, invited the YWCA GLA staff to
its grand opening and preview night in July and presented
the YWCA GLA, along with several other local non-profit
organizations, with a generous monetary donation from the
Smart & Final Charitable Foundation.
Because of the great work that the three lead Job Corps
Students did in helping recruit students to attend the Smart
& Final job fair, Smart & Final management offered to
interview more Job Corps students for twenty-five (25)
additional open positions! Thank you, thank you, to our
valued partner Smart & Final.
You are Our
Partners, too!
YWCA GLA works to align our mission
with our partners’ - whether corporate,
foundation or individual - philosophies
and carefully nurture these partnerships to
Cultivate healthy communities.
We need your help! To become a corporate
partner or to make an individual donation
toward a program/service or specific YWCA
GLA Empowerment site, please visit our
website at www.ywcagla.org/donations.
Thank you for joining together with us!
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YWCA Greater Los Angeles Locations:
YWCA GLA Urban Campus
Executive Office
1020 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Programs: Job Corps,
Workforce Training
Union Pacific
Empowerment Center
4315 Union Pacific Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90023
Programs: Childcare, Seniors,
Youth
Walnut Park
Empowerment Center
Opening Fall 2013!
7515 Pacific Blvd.
Walnut Park, CA 90255
Programs:Child Development,
Sexual Assault Crisis Services
Studio Club Empowerment
Center
1215 Lodi Place
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Programs: Transitional Housing
YWCA GLA at Osborne
12059 Osborne Street
Sylmar, CA 91331
Programs: Seniors,
Transitional Housing
Compton
Empowerment Center
1600 E. Compton Blvd.
Compton, CA 90221
Programs: Child Development,
Sexual Assault Crisis Services
Sexual Assault Outreach Specialist, Olivia Alvarez closed out the activities of
“Week Without Violence” with a Community Self-Defense Class at Union Pacific.
South Bay Sexual Assault
Crisis Services
920 Atlantic Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90813
Programs: Sexual Assault
Crisis Services
Angeles Mesa
Empowerment Center
2501 W. Vernon Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Programs:Child Development,
Sexual Assault Crisis Services
North Valley
Empowerment Center
1200 North Maclay Avenue
San Fernando, CA 91340
Programs: Child Development
greater los angeles
Felicia Mahood Senior Center
11338 Santa Monica Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Program: Seniors
North Valley Child
Development Center
11133 Omelveny Ave
San Fernando, CA 91340
Programs: Child Development
To support the work of the YWCA GLA visit: www.ywcagla.org
PAGE 7
greater los angeles
1020 S. Olive Street, 7th Floor
Los Angeles 90015
StayConnected.
facebook.com/ywcagla
youtube.com/ywcagreaterla
ywcagla.blogspot.com
Thank you to our Partners!
twitter.com/ywca_gla
Job Corps Graduation continued from front page.
Mr. Quince congratulated the Job Corps students for
taking advantage of the opportunities afforded to them to get
vocational training. He encouraged the graduates to strive for
their dreams and echoed the ceremony’s theme of looking to
the future, not the past.
“I never thought 10 months ago that I would be so proud
and excited,” said Lisa Henriques, Job Corps Graduate
Class Speaker, beaming with accomplishment. “I have never
graduated from anything before.”
The 400 graduates, each with training in one of more than
45 vocational trades, will join the workforce with one of the
YWCA Greater Los Angeles employer hiring partners and
join the many other individuals who have benefitted from the
Job Corps Program’s success.
YWCA GLA has been administrating the Los Angeles Job
Corps Program since 1965. Job Corps is the nation’s largest
residential and educational training program for homeless,
emancipated and at-risk youth, ages 16 to 24. The program
is comprised of Academic Training, Vocational Training,
Social/Employability Skills Training, comprehensive health
care, social services, and employment/housing placement.
For more information about the YWCA GLA Job Corps
program please visit ywcagla.org or call (213) 365-2991.
YWCA Greater Los Angeles
Board of Directors
Officers:
Eleanor Beasley
President
Elected Members:
Lisa D. Cagnolatti
Vice President
Samantha W. Jones
Maria L. Garcia
Vivian D. Howell
Amanda J. Lee
Alva P. Adams-Mason
Secretary
Patricia Keane
Treasurer
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and
promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Become a member today and
ADD YOUR voice to help change
YOUR community and help empower
lives! Scan the QR code or visit
ywcagla.org/membership for more
information.
The YWCA Greater Los Angeles:
Safe space to live, learn and grow.