Mission: The mission of the YWCA of the Hartford Region Inc. is to empower women and girls and eliminate racism.
Background: The organization was founded in 1867 to provide housing for young women coming to the city in search of jobs and economic independence. We have honored that mission while adapting to changing times.
The YWCA provides vital programs including early learning and school-age child care; emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing; child abuse prevention; youth leadership development; advocacy; and financial literacy education. We serve more than 2,200 people a year.
• Child Care: We have a legacy of providing childcare and early learning programs to the region’s low- and middle-income families. YW Kidslink, for students K-5, is an affordable before- and after-school licensed childcare program at 13 sites.
• Time Out for Parents Program: TOP is a therapeutic child abuse prevention program for parents and other caregivers conducted in our licensed centers for children ages 8 weeks to 8 years. Children are cared for while caregivers attend counseling and parent education classes.
• Supportive Housing: Soromundi Commons is a 23-bed emergency shelter for women with 13 transitional and 35 permanent affordable apartments. This facility provides housing options and supportive services to help the at-risk and homeless achieve self-sufficiency.
• Financial Literacy: The YWCA and Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office are partners in the Money Conference for Women. This free, one-day conference is scheduled for Nov. 8 at the Cromwell Plaza. Guest speaker Dee Lee will empower more than 400 participants who attend workshops on budgeting, investments, homeownership and retirement strategies.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance: The YWCA operates a VITA site at Soromundi Commons, an IRS funded program, providing low-income tax filers access to free tax preparation by trained YWCA volunteers.
• Young Women’s Leadership Corps: YWLC is a free after-school and summer curriculum-based program that promotes positive self-esteem, academic perseverance, development of practical employment skills and leadership qualities for at-risk girls in grades 7 to 12.Â
Major Fundraiser: Our annual fundraising event is the In The Company of Women luncheon, scheduled for March 26, 2009, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. It will feature Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle, and is expected to draw 1,500 people.
Volunteer Needs: The YWCA relies on more than 200 volunteers. They serve on the board of directors and board committees engaged in fundraising (including table captains at the spring luncheon), program evaluation, financial oversight and advocacy. Others assist as YWLC mentors, in income tax preparation and in early learning classrooms. For more on volunteer opportunities for the Money Conference for Women or one of the YWCA committees, contact Judith Green at 525-1163, ext. 259, or judith_green@ywcahartford.org. For mentoring young women with the YWLC, contact Susan Dawson at 525-1163, ext. 317, or susand@ywcahartford.org.
YWCAHR Leadership:
Deborah Ullman, Executive Director
Ann S. Jennings, President
Rosaida Morales Rosario, Vice President
Gina Collopy O’Connell, Treasurer
Janet Castricum, Secretary
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Deborah Ullman is executive director of the YWCA of the Hartford Region Inc.
