YWCA NorthEastern NY

? ONE WEEK AWAY! ? We're officially only 7 days away from our 42nd Annual Empowerment Awards Gala at Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady on March 20th at 6:00pm! We're so excited to honor these amazing individuals and all their contributions to our community. Will we see you there? Let us know in the comments! ?? ?

Some more #YWCANENYHerStory for you on this #ThrowbackThursday! ? In 1959, YWCA NENY was looking to expand and renovate our building to better serve our growing community. We published what was called "Our Blueprint for Service", which highlighted our programming and how vital the renovation would be to our organization. Even 60 years ago, we were always looking ahead at how we could improve so that we could continue to empower and uplift our community members. We were established in 1888, and we're still here. Now is the time to help secure 137 more years of empowerment and strength. Learn about all the ways you can give today: https://lnkd.in/eEZ3z4pK

? WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH MATCH PROGRESS! ? We're 11 days into March and we're at almost 30% of our goal! We have 20 more days to reach $7,500 -- can we count on your support to help us get to 100%? Every donation will be matched by our friends at First New York Federal Credit Union. These funds will go towards our continued dedication to our mission work of empowering women and eliminating racism. Thank you to all our donors thus far! ?? Find out more and give today: https://lnkd.in/erpSaNdZ

As we celebrate #InternationalWomensDay, we ask you to stand with #YWCANENY and our mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We believe that the challenges of today must not weaken our resolve or vanquish our hope for a brighter future for us all. Instead, they reinforce the critical need for organizations like YWCA NENY to continue our work on the front lines. All throughout the month of March, First New York Federal Credit Union will be matching donations up to $7,500. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/erpSaNdZ Be the change we need in this pivotal moment. Together, we can amplify the power of women and break the barriers that divide us.

Happy #throwbackthursday! We're celebrating #YWCANENYHerStory every day. Let's take it back to Spring 1959, where our organization set a goal for $225,000 (equivalent to $2,500,000 in 2025!) for much needed updates to our plumbing and heating systems, among other necessary renovations. That goal was met with the help of community partners and volunteers who believed in our mission. YWCA NorthEastern NY has been here for 137 years, and we're still here. Help us continue another 137 years of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. All donations up to $7,500 in the month of March will be matched by First New York Federal Credit Union: https://lnkd.in/erpSaNdZ

Thank you to WTEN-TV and Cassie Hudson for featuring our SHE CREATES art exhibit! Check out this awesome report and make sure to come to the art show before March 9th -- we've extended it through the weekend! ?? https://lnkd.in/eQHW27iQ

We're thrilled to have Brenda Osorio (formerly Baddam) as our keynote speaker this year. Growing up in Miami as the granddaughter of Cuban refugees who worked 14-hour days to build their American dream, Brenda knew early on that she wanted to pursue law. She realized that dream early on in her career when in law school she was selected to partake in the Sonia and Celina Sotomayor Judicial Scholarship Program and the Pro Bono Scholars program. After graduation from Albany Law School, Brenda began her journey as a prosecutor for the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Most recently, in June of 2020, Brenda was responsible for the spearheading of an ordinance and resolution in the Albany City Council that mandated the Albany Police Department and neighboring departments to provide translation services to those that are not proficient in the English language, especially during roadside stops. Her work has led to meaningful change in the Hispanic community and she hopes to continue to disrupt the status quo. Don't miss out on this year's Empowerment Awards Gala! Reserve your seat today: https://lnkd.in/eM9zKhCg

A Women's History Month Message For You... YWCA NorthEastern NY is proud to announce that thanks to First New York Federal Credit Union, all donations to our Women’s History Month Campaign will be?matched—dollar for dollar—up to $7,500. Your contribution today will double in impact, helping us continue to offer vital services, create lasting change, and elevate the voices of those who need us most. Even in uncertain times, love endures, kindness matters, and hope takes root. When the rights and future of women and marginalized communities are being challenged at every turn, YWCA NENY stands resolutely in defense of our mission: to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We believe that the challenges of today—fueled by a political climate that often undermines our most fundamental values—must not weaken our resolve or vanquish our hope for a brighter future for us all. Instead, they reinforce the critical need for organizations like YWCA NENY to continue our work on the front lines. Across the country, we are witnessing efforts to roll back hard-won gains in women’s rights, reproductive justice, and racial equity. Yet, we are also seeing resilience and resistance from amazing individuals, groups and organizations who are refusing to yield in the face of adversity. Together, with YWCA NorthEastern NY, you too can reclaim our future, secure our herstory and stand up to injustices.?We know, from 137 years in this beautiful community of Schenectady that we love so passionately, now is the time for solidarity, resistance and fortitude. We must stand together and continue to provide the sanctuary of spaces where equality and justice are not optional—they are essential. YWCA NENY asks you to stand with us and fortify this mission, ensuring that the strides toward equity we’ve made are not only preserved but propelled forward in community, propelled forward in hope, and propelled forward in justice. Donate now. Stand with us. Be the change we need in this pivotal moment. Together, we can amplify the power of women and break the barriers that divide us. Yours in Solidarity, Hope and Love Kim?

? TONIGHT! ? Our artist reception for our Women's History Month art exhibit, SHE CREATES: A Tribute to Women's Strength, is tonight at 6:00pm! Come see wonderful art by incredible artists! Can't make it tonight? The exhibit will be open to the public March 1st to March 8th from 10:00am to 8:00pm! Celebrate the start of #WomensHistoryMonth with us ?? #YWCANENY #SheCreates

? TOMORROW! ? SHE CREATES: A Tribute To Women's Strength Artist Reception Opening night for our Women's History Month art exhibit will be happening at our location on 44 Washington Avenue, Schenectady NY, starting at 6:00pm! Come see art of all mediums created by amazing artists, jam out to some music and experience our community at work. We can't wait to see you there! ?? #YWCANENY #WomensHistoryMonth #SheCreates