YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish

We're thrilled to celebrate that our CEO, Maria Chavez-Wilcox, is one of Puget Sound Business Journal's Power100! ? Maria joined YWCA in 2016 as our first Latina Chief Executive Officer. She has over thirty years of experience as a nonprofit executive, social services advocate, community leader, and philanthropist. Maria oversees all operations at our organization, which is the second-largest YWCA in the United States and serves over 7,000 people in the region each year.? ? https://lnkd.in/grQTuqkT

A message from our CEO: https://bit.ly/48HxIlM

Haven’t voted yet? There’s still time! Find your voting center and go be part of the change. Your voice matters, and today is the day to use it. ??#Vote #YourVoiceYourVote #EveryVoteCounts #ElectionDay2024

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, YWCA associations across the country participate in?Week Without Violence, a campaign to?raise awareness about domestic abuse, elevate survivor voices, talk with policy makers, and push for a change in government policies to prevent gender-based violence.?This week, our YWCA will kick-off a three-part?discussion series about our own gender-based violence specialized services (GBVSS) programs. Last month, staff from our YWCA had the privilege of going to the White House to?commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.?This act marked a critical point in the fight against domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It funds vital YWCA programs that address violence against women, allowing us to help countless women and families. We were thrilled to join our local and national partners in Washington D.C. in the fight to protect survivors and eliminate violence against women and girls. In our ongoing fight to end gender-based violence, we will continue centering survivors in our advocacy work and address the challenges they face on their path to safety, healing, and freedom from further violence. In solidarity, Maria Chavez Wilcox, Chief Executive Officer

???Exciting News!??? We are thrilled to announce the nominees for the?8th Deborah Knutson Women in Leadership Award! These incredible women have demonstrated outstanding dedication to job growth and economic development in Snohomish County. ?? Diana Ro, Director of Pre-ETS at Edmonds College Linda Neunzig, Snohomish County Government Agriculture Coordinator & Owner/Operator of Ninety Farms Van Dinh-Kuno, Executive Director at Refugee Immigrant Services Mary Anne Dillon, Vice President of Programs at YWCA of Seattle I King I Snohomish Sam Samano, Business Engagement Specialist at Workforce Snohomish Rosario Reyes, CEO at Latino Education and Training Institute Michelle Dietz, M.P.A., Village Community Services Shaina Langley, Chair at 38th Legislative District Democrats Lisa Olason, M.S., Business Engagement Specialist at Workforce Snohomish The Deborah Knutson Award honors the legacy of Deborah Knutson, a visionary leader who tirelessly worked to enhance our local economy. As the longtime leader of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, Deborah’s passion and commitment continue to inspire us all. Join us at?Leadership Day?to celebrate these remarkable women and find out who will be the winner! ?? ???Date:?Thursday, October 24, 8am - 9:30am???Location: Point Elliott Room, Mukilteo REGISTER TODAY! https://lnkd.in/gCWTaiy8 Let’s come together to recognize and celebrate their amazing accomplishments! ?? #LeadershipSnohomishCounty #WomenInLeadership #DeborahKnutsonAward #EconomicDevelopment

Our Voices Have Power I'm still feeling exhilarated from?the success of our 2024 Inspire Luncheon, where more than 800 community supporters came together to celebrate YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. To date, we have raised over $1.3 million to fund YWCA's essential services for women and girls across the region. Together, we are investing in?the potential of young women like Heena, who is reaching for her dreams with the support and encouragement of YWCA's?Femme2STEM program. We are laying the groundwork for the next generation of trailblazing women and in doing so, strengthening our entire community. In the words of our keynote speaker, Dr. Mae Jemison,?"Every child comes out inspired...the issue is whether or not we let them maintain that inspiration." This is what YWCA's work is all about - delivering the tools for women and girls to feel inspired, embrace their power, realize their potential, and become agents of change in their lives and communities. Women, particularly young women of color, are critical to driving social and policy change. Our voices have the power to shape the landscape when it comes to the issues that matter most to our lives. From housing security to paid family and medical leave, healthcare access to safety from gender-based violence, these policies form the foundations of our daily lives and express our values. Now is the time to make our voices heard! YWCA supports robust non-partisan civic engagement and we are all in to get out the vote in 2024. The stakes are high with the general election a few weeks away, with decisions that will shape the future here at home and across the country for years to come. We created a?Voting Resource Center?to check your voter registration, find candidates, and learn about the election. YWCA will continue promoting voter engagement and education on the policy issues at stake, working closely with staff and community partners, right up until election day. No matter the outcomes of the election, we can and we will continue to fight for justice, equity, and opportunities for all women and girls. With gratitude, Maria Chavez Wilcox, Chief Executive Officer

We're thrilled to share that our CEO Maria Chavez Wilcox has been recognized as a change-maker in our community by being included in Puget Sound Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2024! https://lnkd.in/grQTuqkT

Thank you to all our guests and supporters for helping us put on another amazing Inspire Luncheon last week. As of today's count, we were able to raise $1,272,236 for women, children, and families in our community!

Last night, YWCA had the privilege of going to the White House to commemorate 30 years of the Violence Against Women Act. VAWA marked a critical point in the fight against domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking - fundamentally changing how our nation supports survivors of gender-based violence. Our staff were thrilled to join YWCA's local and national partners in Washington D.C. in the fight to protect survivors and eliminate violence against women and girls. Special?thanks to President Biden, the U.S. Department of Justice, The Office on Violence Against Women Women, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Director of the Office on Violence Against Women Rosie Hidalgo, for their continued leadership and dedication. Read the VAWA fact sheet to learn more:?https://lnkd.in/eUeEQtdX #ViolenceAgainstWomenAct #VAWA30 #YWCA #WhiteHouse

"When I saw YWCA's new gratitude report and reflected on our agency's accomplishments last year, my heart filled with appreciation for everyone who has joined us on this journey of eliminating racism and empowering women..." Read the rest of our CEO's message on YWCA's website:?CEO Message: Showing Gratitude for Trailblazing Women | YWCA (ywcaworks.org)