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where women matter!
The YWCA Central Orange County is dedicated to empowering and supporting women in transition.
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 at left to learn more.
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 contact us.
One of the programs of the YWCA Central Orange County is called Joanie's Purse Project. Through this program, YWCA COC gives out handbags and toiletries to homeless women throughout Orange County.
Essential need items are distributed several times a year, with the biggest distributions around Mother's Day and Christmas. We distribute purses stuffed with shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, and scarves amongst other items, to women in shelters.
Volunteers sort and inventory items, assemble the
purses and deliver them to women in need. In the
past, we have delivered around 500 purses to
women in need around the winter holiday season
and for Mother's Day. YWCA would like to extend
a huge thank you to all of the volunteers and
donors that made our Purse projects a success.
Purse Project Items
* Medium to large purses, preferably new.
* Sample or travel-size hygiene items
* Candy
* Protein Bars
* Breath Mints
* Packaged snacks
* Tea bags
* Coffee packets
* Small gifts (scarfs, costume jewelry)
* Please, no medicine or alcohol!
Y Women Matter! is a new 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 quarterly at our historical YWCA house where you will enjoy wine and appetizers, a stimulating topic, and the company of other women.
Membership:
The cost of individual memberships is $50 per year and $150 for organizations of up to 4 women. The membership includes discounted tickets to see speakers, the ability to bring one new guest for free to each meeting, and the opportunity to rent the YWCA's historical house for personal events. The cost for this event is $15 for members and $25 for non-members.
When:
Stay tuned for information on our next Y Women Matter! meeting.
YWCA COC_Membership Form[1].pdf.doc
Purchase Membership
© YWCA Central Orange County 2010 - All rights reserved - P.O. Box 689,Orange, CA 92865 - Info_ywcacoc.org
