Program Home
OUR PROGRAMS
Imagine being a teenage girl, hoping to prepare for your future by attending college. But there's a problem. As a foster youth, you'll be emancipated from the system at the age of 18, right before your high school graduation. You'll have no choice but to work full-time to support yourself. There will be little, if any, time to continue your education. At this point, you'll just need to focus on survival.
Imagine being a 32 year-old single mom with a four year-old daughter. You were just fine until about 10 months ago, when your employer laid off 20% of its work force - including you. Unemployment was helping
make ends meet, but you've exhausted your
benefits, as well as your savings. You've had
no choice but to move from your apartment and
stay with friends - a week here, a week there.
Even small things, like appropriate clothes for
job interviews, have become a major obstacle.
You need to know what resources are available
to Orange County residents like you who
are in a period of major life transition.
Unfortunately, both situations are sad
realities. Women in a major life transition
need guidance, help and support. And,
the number of women facing these types
of challenges is certain to increase due
to our current economy.
Our programs help women in different
ways. The focus of all programs is
women in transition. Click on one of our
program buttons on the left to learn more.
First Steps
FIRST STEPS AT BEVERLY'S HOUSE
An untiring advocate for abused and neglected children, Beverly Nestande's vision and dedication spearheaded a movement in the city of Orange to create a special place for young women leaving foster care. Teaming with the YWCA Central Orange County, Beverly's leadership was key to the development of the First Steps Program.
Designed to provide transitional housing to emancipated foster girls who might otherwise be homeless, the program continues to this day in a historic Orange home that bears its founder's name.
First Steps provides the following services:
•Residential housing with staff supervision
•Support, guidance and case management
•Assistance for young women transitioning
from dependency to independence
•Mentoring of academic pursuits
•Assistance accessing health care
•Training in life skills: budgeting, planning,
communications and interpersonal dynamics
•Pre-employment training: resume writing,
interviewing and job searching
•Individual and group counseling
There are many ways to support First Steps
_ Beverly's House, and all donations are tax deductible.
To learn more about any of these programs please
email us
or call 714.633.4950.
Purse Project
JOANIE'S PURSE PROJECT
Joanie's Purse Project is an outreach program that provides purses filled with personal care items, snacks and small gifts to women in Orange County shelters and other support programs twice a year near Mother's Day and the holidays.
Founder, Joan Smith
We collect donations all year round!
For more information on how to donate, call 714.633.4950 or email us at
info_ywcacoc.org
Sisters Closet
MY SISTER'S CLOSET
The YWCA Central Orange County has teamed up with Orange Lutheran High School Thrift Shop to better serve women in Orange County. YWCA COC collects clothes and delivers them to the Orange Lutheran High School Thrift Shop where volunteers stock them in the thrift store.
Vouchers are distributed to women in need, and these women can redeem the vouchers at the Orange Lutheran High School Thrift Shop for clothing and shoes.
For the past three years, The Orange County Register has named Orange Lutheran High School Thrift Shop one of the Best Thrift Shops in Orange County.
Location Information
Lutheran High Thrift Shop
676 N Tustin St
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 289-1182
Hours:
Monday - Saturday
10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
Want to Volunteer? Get more information
here
!
Y Women Matter
Y WOMEN MATTER!
Y Women Matter! is an association
created by the local YWCA as a way to
empower women.
Members will be motivated by the various
speakers who will discuss many issues affecting
women, including racism, equality, and empowerment. From this experience,
like-minded women will be inspired to help women in transition find a voice.
Most Recent Speaker:
Sylvia Mendez was presented the Medal of Freedom, our nation's highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama. "She has made it her mission to spread her message of tolerance and opportunity to children of all backgrounds and all walks of life," Obama said during the annual Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony.
Sylvia is the daughter of Gonzalo Mendez, a Mexican immigrant, and Felicitas Mendez, a Puerto Rican woman, who fought so she could have an equal education through the case of Mendez v. Westminster. Prior to the ruling, Mendez and other Mexican students were segregated in their schooling.
Where:
The meetings will be held semiannually at our historic YWCA house where you will enjoy wine and appetizers, a stimulating topic, and the company of other women.
When:
Stay tuned for information on our next Y Women Matter! meeting.
What more information?
Email us
or call 714.633.4950
December 20, 2011
Self-Esteem
Angela, age 22
Fashion Merchandising and Design major, Santa Ana College
Many teenagers and adults suffer from low self-esteem. Self-esteem refers to how one feels about him or herself, and also refers to how people feel about themselves. Often times, people question themselves in various ways, Do they like me? How do I look? Am I doing the right thing to please others?
There are different factors that go into self-esteem; for teenagers and adults, these factors often make a bigger difference. Low self-esteem can lead to risky sexual activity (sometimes resulting in teen pregnancy), depression, and even suicide. It is important to recognize that people need to feel valued and loved. One can take measures to gain self-esteem by consulting with a therapist, finding support groups, connecting with friends, family, and mentors. One way I like to boost my own self-esteem is by looking in the mirror and telling myself that I am beautiful at least 3 times a day and always remembering that if a person is picking on me or someone that I know, then they too are most likely suffering from low self-esteem. I always do my best to ignore those who treat me badly. I say let your haters be your motivators.
Remember, never pity yourself! Boost your confidence! No one will love you as much as you love yourself. Everyone suffers from some kind of low self-esteem, whether they make those issues visible or not. Its all on how you portray yourself, so make sure you are always happy with a smile on your face and you are the most beautiful person in the world.
November 8, 2011
My Child Will Do It Different
Shawna, age 18
Health Services Major, Orange Coast College
The way my child will grow up different from me is that he will have a loving mother by his side to help him grow and understand family life. Another thing is that I will make sure he has the best schooling by going every day and getting help when he needs it and making sure it gives him a great career. The last thing is that I will make sure my child is prepared perfectly to have children of his own, with a wife, a home and a great job. My child is going to be great!
October 20, 2011
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Terri, age 19
Majoring in Medical Assisting into Licensed Vocational Nurse, South Coast College
What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. The majority of people think Domestic Violence is simply when our partners are physically hitting us. There is also a misconception that domestic violence is mostly men hitting women. What most people do not realize is that domestic violence isnt just physical harm to your partner, it has many different elements: physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological threats towards another person. With physical abuse its the use of physical force against someone in a way that injures or endangers that person, to make it brief. As for sexual abuse, which is also a type of physical abuse, it is any situation in which you are forced to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity. Then there is emotional abuse. Many men and women suffer from emotional abuse, which is no less destructive. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often minimized or overlooked even by the person being abused. The aim of emotional abuse is to chip away at your feelings of self-worth and independence. If youre the victim of emotional abuse, you may feel that there is no way out of the relationship or that without your abusive partner you have nothing.
I have experienced two types of domestic violence: emotional and physical. The emotional abuse has left a long-term effect on my life. The verbal abuse lowered my self-esteem and made me feel as if I was not good enough. I was constantly accused of things I was not doing. At that time, I felt so low, degraded. After getting out of that relationship I had to work on myself in order to find out who I really am. I am currently in a relationship where I am treated with respect. My new boyfriend has taught me how to trust and to love again. It took me a while to get used to it, but now I realize that I deserve so much more than my ex-boyfriend gave me.
What is something someone should do when they are in an abusive relationship? First they need to admit that they are in an unhealthy relationship. They need to find a support system to gain the strength to ask for help. Once they are able to do this, they can work towards living a safer and better life.
***
"SAFETY ALERT: If you are in danger, please call 911, your local hotline, or (in the U.S.) the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224" -From the Domestic Violence Awareness Project website
April 5, 2011
"What It Means to Be a Woman" in Honor or Women's History Month in March
Ashley, 18
Art Major, Cypress College
Being a woman means being the backbone of society, family lives and meaningful relationships. As a woman, I believe I hold a certain role in this world. Women are often held down and measured less than. Although many may disagree, we are survivors, holding strong to our belief in both being equal and being presented the respect we deserve. We are in a battle every day. At home, mothers are fighting to take care of the house, the children, prepare meals and often work as well. College women are expected to be mature, get all "A's" and be a leader/example to those who are not in our family. We must sit a proper way, dress a proper way, say the proper things and teach the household. Without us and our constant support, love and time the world would fall short. We are the love a child feels, the reason the house isn't in shambles and one of the reasons businesses and boards are not sexist. We hold our end and have done so for a very long time. Women both young and old, keep your head high. We as women are the backbone of families, work society and meaningful relationships.
January 11, 2011
New Year's Resolutions from the Young Women of Beverly's House
Lisseth, 19
Santiago Canyon College
My New Years resolution for 2011 has to do with all the things that I have been trying to accomplish since I was ten years old. Going to school has always been my priority because I want to be able to further myself. I want to give myself a life that my family was not able to provide for me. My New Years resolution is to pass all my four of the classes that I will be taking with an A or B, but especially statistics since that class was very challenging for me last semester. Second is to make an impact in Beverlys House to make the people around me feel proud once I leave the program. I would also love to get my driver's license so that I can have a car and be able to go to school and pick up my sister with my niece whenever I want. Its hard to take the bus to pick them up. With that in mind, I would like to have a stable job and be able to accomplish everything because anyone is able to as long as effort is made and as long as I have endurance as I finish my path.
Yoli, 21
Cypress College
The New Year is a chance where we can all have a choice to have fresh beginning. Whether its a new dream, goal or a new start of life. For a good moment I told myself that this year I wanted to find myself, but what I really need to do is create myself...create my own identity. I want to become a more honest, respectful and caring person. This year I vowed to myself to finally let go and forgive myself for things that have happened. And last but not least I want to learn to allow others to love me and not fight back and to accept happiness in my life.
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