A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Take inspiration from the empowered, and act with courage Speaking up is our collective responsibility.
There is a great positive mood in our nation from women inspiring us at the top of their proverbial games: Caitlin Clark, Taylor Swift, Greta Gerwig, and Beyoncé.
Even Barbie has risen from just a doll to represent 200 careers - a symbol for something bigger and more aspirational.
These women are redefining female power and shifting the scales of equality right before our eyes. Sports and entertainment are less polarizing, so admiration may flow to them more easily than to others with strong stances in business and government.
Locally, we honored 39 resolute women in many broad fields at
our 51st annual YWCA Women of the Year event last month, highlighted in this newsletter.
As CEO of an organization serving survivors of domestic violence and homelessness, it’s my hope that women in the spotlight will make us all less tolerant of victimization of those whose names are never known: those made powerless through control, abuse, and discrimination.
Everyone can step in and correct when people are dismissive toward women or girls. When jokes disparage wives or ‘girls at the office’ or strong female leaders. When others minimize women’s absence from decisionmaking tables.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
At YWCA, we imagine a world where every girl believes she has the power to achieve her dreams, where every woman has the confidence to push boundaries and make her mark. This is the world we’re committed to building at YWCA Cass Clay, but we cannot do it alone.
Thank you for your support for women and children to have empowerment to rise, lead, and inspire.
Erin Prochnow CEO, YWCA Cass
Clay
FROM EMPOWERED TO EMPOWERING OTHERS, CHRISTIE HAS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
The trajectory from an abusive childhood to abusive adult relationships is common. Yet despite this past, Christie talks today with self-assurance about the new agency she feels at midlife. She has energy to reach new goals. And she has hope.
Christie came to YWCA overwhelmed and defeated. In her past, all she heard and came to believe about herself was negative.
The opposite was true at YWCA, she says, where affirmation from a guiding team shaped new beliefs and success.
“My advocate at YWCA helped me with the steps to get a driver’s license and pass the test successfully. With my license, I worship and volunteer at a local church. A church member had picked me up at YWCA Shelter before I had a car, to help me have social interaction,” says Christie. “The female pastor is mentoring me, sharing ideas for how to make effective life
changes … and how to improve the lives of others.”
Improving others’ lives is the future Christie envisions.
With stable housing and transportation, and a bachelor’s degree obtained in the past, she found part-time work and studies toward professional certification as a personal trainer. Her goal is helping people reach their health and fitness goals.
Christie is thankful for many YWCA shelter and housing team members, including YWCA Housing Advocate Morgan, who connected her to critical community-based resources.
“I am so thankful for her help, as I was so overwhelmed,” Christie says. Morgan teamed up with another local agency to support Christie to address medical debt and accomplish other multi-step tasks that can be challenging for trauma survivors. This included securing insurance to bring longterm therapy for past abuse.
“Because Morgan helped me identify each month’s needs, I was able to plan and save money,” says Christie. Using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and her church food pantry gave room to address other expenses.
Her YWCA advocate Morgan reflects, “Now divorced, this is her first time living alone, having a lease in her name, and being responsible for monthly expenses. She is extremely motivated and completed six major planned goals in six months. Her hard work is remarkable.”
“I am thankful for all the support by Morgan. She gave me encouragement and assured me that I could make effective choices.”
Congratulations!
TO THE 2024 YWCA WOMEN OF THE YEAR
We are incredibly grateful for those that joined us at the 51st annual YWCA Women of the Year event on Monday, April 22 at The Delta by Marriott! This year we honored 37 incredible women and two inspiring organizations. The evening culminated in the announcement of the 2024 YWCA Women of the Year award recipients in 13 categories.
Thank you to our event sponsors!
A special thank you to Dakota Medical Foundation for generously matching donations made at the event!
Nick Killoran of
Karen Skjold
The Barry Foundation
Louise Dardis
Barbara Bougie
Lisa Schwinden
Diane Sandven
Sindy Keller
Holly DeVries
A MONTH OF VIRTUAL LEARNING: 2024 YWCA RACIAL JUSTICE CHALLENGE
Throughout the month of April, 105 individuals from YWCA Cass Clay and the surrounding community joined thousands of participants across the country in the 2024 YWCA Racial Justice Challenge.
For four weeks, daily activities (reading an article, listening to a podcast, watching a video, etc.) were shared with challenge participants via a free mobile app and website.
Each week covered a different topic related to equity and social justice with resources shared weekdays April 1-29.
The 2024 challenge topics were
• Bodies & Identity
• Financial Empowerment
• Domestic Violence
• Transportation
Participation in the challenge helps individuals and organizations discover how racial and social injustice impacts their community, identify action steps to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination, and provides space to reflect and connect with one another.
The Racial Justice Challenge (formerly Stand Against Racism Challenge) is a virtual learning tool designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.
Missed the challenge? Contact Allison at info@ywcacassclay.org for more information about how you or your organization can still access this year’s challenge resources!
Did you know...99% of people in abusive relationships experience financial abuse.
In week two of the challenge, participants learned about financial empowerment and abuse as it relates to gender and race. Check out this 7-minute video shared on Day 9 about “The True Cost of Financial Abuse” from the Allstate Foundation. Each year, YWCA Cass Clay provides financial empowerment education to women calling YWCA home through the Allstate Foundation’s Moving Ahead Curriculum.
MISSION MOMENT
Every year during our Women of the Year event, we highlight someone served by YWCA Cass Clay. In this new film, “From Resident to President” created by Tellwell Story Co. + Studio, Rayonna shares her story as a child who called YWCA Emergency Shelter home.
We feel so very grateful to Rayonna for sharing her journey with us and using her experience to fuel her leadership as President of our YWCA Board of Directors!
LOCAL BANKING PARTNERS & THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES INVEST $630,000 IN
THE MISSION OF YWCA
Generous donations from Choice Bank, Cornerstone Bank, and Gate City Bank activate out-of-state contributions
Earlier this year, YWCA Cass Clay was invited by Choice Bank, Cornerstone Bank, and Gate City Bank to be part of a unique funding opportunity available to them as members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB).
The FHLB’s Member Impact Fund is a matching grant program that provides additional funding to strengthen communities in targeted areas.
The program encourages partnerships between organizations like YWCA and member financial institutions to support affordable housing or community development.
Leaders at Choice, Cornerstone, and Gate City seized the opportunity to leverage their investments in YWCA and our region. Each bank applied to have their donations to YWCA matched $3 to $1 by the Member Impact Fund. Each of the banks’ applications were approved and brought significant funding to support capacity building at YWCA.
Nearly $20 million in matching funds were distributed through the FHLB’s Member Impact Fund in North Dakota, Montana, Oregon, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Of the total, $11 million was granted to 35 bank members in North Dakota to make 80 awards.
AT YWCA CASS CLAY:
• Gate City Bank’s 2024 contribution of $140,000 leveraged an additional $420,000 from the FHLB for a total award of $560,000.
• Choice Bank’s 2024 contribution of $12,500 leveraged an additional $37,500 from the FHLB for a total award of $50,000.
• Cornerstone Bank’s 2024 contribution of $5,000 leveraged an additional $15,000 from the FHLB for a total award of $20,000.
FHLB funds must be used for capacity building. They will be utilized by YWCA to strengthen our technology infrastructure and enhance the skills of our team.
“This exceptional support contributes to a community that, through YWCA, is more healthy, safe, housed,” said Erin Prochnow, CEO of YWCA Cass Clay. “Funding will address diverse needs from security cameras to server equipment to deepening our team’s learning around better-serving traumatized and marginalized people.”
YWCA gratefully accepts a big check from Gate City Bank’s Leadership Team.
YWCA gratefully accepts a big check from Cornerstone Bank team members.
YWCA gratefully accepts a big check from Choice Bank team members.
Our Deepest Gratitude
A sincere thank you to those who have honored someone they care about with a gift to YWCA.
Wendy Allen in honor of Olivia Allen
Madisen Anderson in honor of Mikayla Kludt
Anonymous in honor of Kathleen-CarolAngie
Anonymous in honor of Irina Borza and Ella Olson
Anonymous in honor of Sue Kressin
Anonymous in memory of LeAnn Moos
Anonymous in honor of Katie Vander Laan
Anonymous in honor of those that need hope
Anonymous in honor of the 2024 YWCA Women of the Year honorees
Rachel Asleson in honor of Tonya Kemper
Sandra and Dean Badinger in memory of Josie Kolodejchuk
Gary and Connie Bakke in memory of Richard Strege
Michael Bannach in honor of LaDonna Bannach
Sarah Baumgarten in honor of Jakelle Hoffmann
Margaret Bitz in memory of Fr. Al Bitz
Adair and Mark Boening in honor of Sisters of the Presentation
Barbara and Paul Bougie in honor of Sarah West
Day Braun in memory of LeAnn Moos
Tracy Briggs Jensen and Mark Jensen in honor of Megan MacFarlane
Bill Brooks in honor of Emily Brooks
Carol Burling and Heidi in memory of Dorothy Mae Stangler
Laura and Cole Carley in honor of their granddaughters
Bobbi and Chuck Carney in honor of Megan MacFarlane
Elizabeth Christianson in honor of Tracey
Elizabeth Christianson in honor of Sarah West
Jill and Peter Christopher in honor of Jakelle Hoffmann
Cherie Clark in honor of Georgia Ewing
Joy Coulter-Brown in memory of Dorothy Mae Stangler
Jodi Crouse in honor of Jordan Crouse
Nicole and David Crutchfield in honor of Victoria Johnson and Margie Bailly
Linette Dahl in honor of Shauna Wimer
Rachele Davis in honor of Sarah West
Leslie Dethlefsen in memory of Alex Thompson
Lyn Dockter-Pinnick and Rick Pinnick in honor of Jewell
Lora and Kevin Elfstrum in honor of Karlene Elfstrum and Linda Monge
Dacia Engberg in honor of Grandma Tupe
Richard Engen and Renae Aarfor in memory of Gloria Engen
Susan Farbo in honor of Whitney Oxendahl
Amber Ferrie in honor of Megan MacFarlane
Marie and Duane Fillipi in honor of LaDonna Bannach
Jennifer Fillipi in honor of LaDonna Bannach
Margaret Fitzgerald and Hugh Veit in honor of Jakelle Hoffmann
Lea and Mark Flaagan in honor of Shauna Wimer and Bonnie C.
Rochelle and Carey Flatt in honor of Sophia Richards
Shanna Franzen in honor of her daughter Asha
Rachel Gackle in honor of Brandi Hedin
Michael Gjesdahl in memory of Glenda Sanford
Stacey Gratton in honor of Paulette Rastedt
Jennifer Green in honor of Sarah West
Brian Hayer in honor of June Hayer
Ty Hegland in honor of Hadley Hegland
Josh Herbold in honor of Sarah West
Elizabeth Holcomb in honor of Virginia Duval
Barb Houska in honor of Stacy Anderson
Karla Isley in honor of Sarah West
Willy and Arland Jacobson in honor of Siham Amedy, Stacy Anderson, Margie Bailly, LaDonna Bannach, Emily Brooks, Lindsey Burkhardt, Alexa Ducioame, Jakelle Hoffmann, Chery Hysjulien, Kristi Kanski, Gowri Pillai, Amy Zundel, Sanford, and Mom
Pamela Johnson in memory of LeAnn Moos
Patty Johnson in memory of Vernice Johnson
Chris Johnson in memory of Rich Prochnow
Erica Johnsrud in honor of Shauna Wimer & Jakelle Hoffman
Lillian Jones in honor of Victoria Johnson
Phyllis and Verdell Jordheim in memory of Darlene Anderson
Sue and Kent Karlstrom in memory of Irene Johnson
Kathleen Kautzman in memory of Elaine Mitchell
Kim Keller Enterprises in honor of Dacia Engberg
Carolyn Koch in memory of Dorothy Stangler
Ruby and Jeff Kolpack in memory of Glenda Sanford
Annette and Timothy Kreft in honor of Annette Kreft
Sharon Boeshans and Roland Lade in honor of Jennifer Illich
Nadeesha Laksirini in honor of Mom (Kamani) and Dad (Ratnasiri)
The Larshus nieces & nephews in memory of Irene Johnson
Allison Larson in honor of Sienna
Judy and Richard Lewis in honor of Gowri Pillai
Amy and Mark Longtin in honor of Tech4Kids
Darryl Lutovsky in memory of Gordy Indvik
Jim MacFarlane in honor of Megan MacFarlane
Jasmine MacFarlane in honor of Megan MacFarlane
John MacFarlane in honor of Megan MacFarlane
Katelyn Mack in honor of Jeana Mack
Kim and Steve Mann in memory of Dale D Beling
Lorene and Tim Mathern in honor of Mary Margaret Mooney
Cristina Johnson McCoy in honor of Carol A. Johnson
Kim Meyer in memory of Gloria Pechtel
Sharon and Steven Miller in honor of Shauna Wimer, Shannon Bock, and Jakelle Hoffmann
Ellen and Gerald Misialek in honor of Justice Lisa Fair McEvers
Natalie Molstad in memory of Mary Wilson
Stacie Montgomery in honor of Kasey Cotter
Shelby Naser in honor of Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre
Jan and Glenn Nelson in memory of Glenda Sanford & Lillian Cole
Margaret and Roger Nelson in memory of Linda Dillard
Margaret and Roger Nelson in memory of Vetta Loveland
Elizabeth Nelson in honor of Gowri Pillai
Jane Nissen in memory of Maggie Pressler
Jane Nissen in memory of Emma Newman
Jane Nissen in memory of George Kruse
Anthony Ocana and Aileen Buslig in honor of Ann Burnett & Mark Meister
Jessica Offerman in honor of Lindsey Burkhardt and Jakelle Hoffmann
Danette and Dean Olstad in honor of Glenda Sanford
Kris and Dan Pillar in honor of Allison Pillar and Emily Kossan
Trina Pisk-Hall and Jason Hall in honor of Luayne Amenrud
Tara Pokrzywinski in honor of Gowri Pillai
Evelyn and Brian Quigley in honor of Alexa Ducioame, Sanford Health, Dr. Mary Jo Lewis, and Jodi Duncan
Michelle Radke-Hella and Brent Hella in honor of Jane Hella
Debra Remark in honor of Dorothy Stangler
Katie and Joe Rizzo in honor of Shauna Wimer
Lianne Rockstad in memory of Rebecca Ringstad Schaffer
Lianne Rockstad in memory of Stephanie Sarabakhsh
Jeanine Rodvold in memory of Steve Rodvold
Mary Ellen and Mike Rolfson in honor of Julie Haugen
Mary Ellen and Mike Rolfson in honor of Shauna Wimer
Lucas Rutten in honor of Tracey W.
Lucas Rutten in honor of Megan MacFarlane
Cady and Jonathan Rutter in honor of Whitney Oxendahl
Gary Sandness Estate in memory of Gary Sandness
Dr. Lori Scheel in memory of DeLores Scheel
Kristen Schneeberger in honor of Sarah West
Amber Schullo in honor of Esa Schullo
Lisa Schwinden in honor of Collette Folstad, Anita Hoffarth, Ellen Mahli, Sister Mary Margaret, and all the Presentation Sisters
Marilyn Shaw in honor of Dacia Engberg
Karen Skarpness in honor of Norean Hoots
Karen and Jeff Skjold in honor of Alexa Ducioame and Jakelle Hoffmann
Jeanette Smith Murphy in honor of FMCT
Catherine Stack in memory of Dorothy Stangler
Kari Stenger in honor of Sarah West & Erin Prochnow
Andrea Stengl-Corcoran in memory of Nellie Bjelde
Karen Stensrud in honor of Helen Stensrud
Rick Stern and Nancy Torson in honor of Margie Bailly
Jamie and Eric Swenson in honor of Dr. Amy Zundel
Jennifer Thoresen in honor of Emily Brooks and Jennifer Illich
Shelley Treib in memory of Betty Gillund-Treib-Reisler
Demi Twiss in honor of Dre Blotsky
Becky Vakoc in honor of Julie Haugen
Jane VanHatten in honor of Girl Scout Gold Awards
Sheryl Vanscoy in memory of Glenda Sanford
Tracy Walvatne in honor of Margie Bailly
Tracey Werner-Wilson in honor of Jakelle Hoffmann
Tracey L Wilkie in memory of Stella Trottier Graves
Mike and Susan Williams in memory of Marge Locken
Jane Winston and Roger Grimm in honor of Louise Dardis
Tammy Wood in honor of Amy Okeson
Danielle Woodard in honor of women served by YWCA
Carolyn and Wilbur Wright in honor of YWCA Staff
Mark Yohe in honor of Dacia Engberg
YWCA Cass Clay 4650 38th Ave. S, Suite 110 Fargo, ND 58104-8529
YWCA’S TOP NEEDS
You can donate the things women need on their journeys to independence. The families we serve need:
Twin-Size Sheets
(new and gently used)
Sunscreen, Deodorant, and Bug Spray
New Women’s Underwear
(sizes 5, 7, 8, and 11)
Cleaning Supplies
(toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, all-purpose cleaner, toilet brushes & cleaner, etc.)
Please drop donations off at YWCA Emergency Shelter M-F, 8AM-5PM, or ship to 3000 University Dr. S , Fargo, ND 58103. Our full needs list and a link to YWCA’s Amazon List can be found at ywcacassclay.org/urgent-needs.