A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Older and homeless: serving women in middle age and beyond
In recent years, YWCA has served growing numbers of women in their late middle age and older. While most adult women we provided shelter last year were aged 18 to 54, 213 women were 55+, including 76 who were over 65.
Studies of homeless demographics nationwide show we’re not alone. In part, it’s due to the postWar baby boom, some Boomers now financially fragile after early careers in crowded labor markets that drove down wages and tight housing markets that inflated living costs. There were back-to-back recessions in the 1970s and 80s, and a bigger one in 2007. These are big picture factors, but every woman truly has her own story.
Women experiencing homelessness for the first time at age 55+ have typically suffered financial or health crisis, lost a loved one, or experienced relationship breakdown or abuse.
Whatever led her to our doors, every woman is met by a YWCA team ready for all ages.
YWCA advocates show deep kindness in serving women sometimes more than double their age, and it is heartwarming. They’re adept at meeting the housing, healthcare, social, and other needs of older women.
I can’t say enough about our current and past YWCA Emergency Shelter RNs - and Sanford Health who started this backbone support as part of their community outreach commitment. Our last newsletter told the story of an older woman in YWCA Shelter who required surgery and extensive follow up support from both YWCA and Sanford. She is well and safely housed today.
Your generosity to YWCA means women, some with infants or children, and others who are grandmothers, can heal and move forward from violence and poverty.
Every supporter of YWCA makes this difference, and I thank you.
Erin Prochnow | CEO, YWCA Cass Clay
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
YOU
GAVE HER SAFETY.
DRIVE PUSHES CALLIE FORWARD.
Callie is standing at the brink of many lifelong aspirations. She’s 35 years old, and just bought her first car with her own money. She made the down payment, bought insurance, and drove off the used car lot having qualified for a loan at one of Fargo’s biggest dealerships.
No one at the dealership knew it, but this was another proud moment on a long journey. Her financial stability to buy a car has come after a stay at YWCA Emergency Shelter and two years living with her family in YWCA Supportive Housing.
Callie can’t stop beaming.
It’s much like the pride Callie felt when, having housing stability at YWCA, she summoned the courage to apply for a job at a respected business. After a rollercoaster of abuse and joblessness, landing this job gave her tremendous self-worth. Her reliable attendance and desire to learn have brought steady pay raises, and she’s in a training program that will grow future earnings even more.
When her older car needed repairs more costly than the car was worth, Callie evaluated her savings and her budget. Using a borrowed car, she drove through the used vehicle lot where she saw an SUV sized right for herself and three children. She dared to go inside and talk with a salesman.
“Fargo isn’t an urban area with the population density to support a lot of public transportation options. Bus routes and service hours are limited, and weather here prevents walking very far for a job,” says YWCA Supportive Housing Advocate Luci. “It’s a monumental achievement to gain a car for getting groceries, running errands, going to and from schools and daycare, attending worship, and maintaining a job.”
Callie’s first car had been provided by Fix It Forward, a partner nonprofit that repairs and repurposes donated cars for women served by YWCA and other community organizations. It got her through the first years, and it helped her save modestly from every paycheck. YWCA provided her budgeting and emotional support, plus occasional work clothing, gas cards, and small needs like laundry soap when her wages weren’t stretching far enough. In gratitude, she wanted to show she could buy a car on her own.
“She’s very determined and proud. Her smile just glows when discussing the vehicle,” says her advocate.
Callie’s capacity to grow the financial freedom to support her family, including costly needs like transportation, are thanks to those who support YWCA Cass Clay and its empowerment programs. With your gifts, women like Callie reach goals for independence.
Special thanks to our fall match sponsor!
FOR CHANGE
YWCA’s signature fall event was back this fall with a new name - a sweet and spicy lunch for goodYWCA Chocolate for Change!
On September 5, over 1,000 attendees enjoyed desserts, chili, fresh rolls, and Starbucks coffee while bidding on silent auction items and trying their luck at raffle boards and Plinko. YWCA supporters unable to attend in person joined in the fun by shopping the online auction from home and picking up desserts to go.
A SWEET SUCCESS THANKS TO SUPPORTERS LIKE YOU!
While sweet treats and savory chili are highlights of the afternoon, this event is about so much more.
All proceeds from YWCA Chocolate for Change directly benefit the families served by YWCA.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s event deliciously successful - from attendees and donors to volunteers and sponsors.
Thank you to our Match Sponsor for their generosity and dedication to empowering women and children!
BRIGHTEN THE HOLIDAYS FOR A FAMILY IN NEED!
Your holiday giving brings joy at YWCA Cass Clay
Trees, wish lists, and gifts are just a few ways that we spread joy to our families during the holiday season. YWCA staff work hard to bring festive cheer, but we simply can’t do it without you. Here are a few ways you can make this season brighter for families in need!
ADOPT-A-FAMILY
For many parents calling YWCA home, purchasing gifts for their children simply isn’t an option during the holidays.
When you adopt a family, you bring joy by making gift-giving one less worry this holiday season. You see that every parent and child served by YWCA has a gift to open!
Please visit ywcacassclay.org/holidays to learn more and sign up to shop for a woman or family at YWCA.
STUFF THE BUS
KFGO 790 AM, 94.1, & 104.7 FM; Y94; FROGGY 99.9; JACK 101.9; & MATBUS are once again teaming up to Stuff the Bus for YWCA Emergency Shelter, Red River Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Fargo Police Department Community Engagement Team.
Locations and times will be announced soon on our website and social media channels!
Find all YWCA holiday information, including sign-ups and lists at:
FILL A HOME WITH HOPE
YWCA invites you to Fill A Home With Hope by providing the basics for families in need. This is a great opportunity for individuals, businesses, clubs, and church groups. With your support, families will have a happier holiday season!
HOUSEHOLD WISH LIST
Kitchen Kit
о Baking Pans
о Casserole Dishes
о Colander
о Cutting Board
о Dish Set & Drinking Glasses (plus plastic for kids!)
о Kitchen Utensils: Mixing Spoons, Measuring Cups + Spoons, Can Opener, Pizza Cutter, Vegetable Peeler
о Washcloths & Dish Towels
о Kitchen Wastebasket
о Mixing Bowls
о Pot Holders
о Set of Pots & Pans
о Set of Silverware & Tray
о Storage Containers
о Coffee Maker
о Toaster
Cleaning Caddy
о Broom & Dustpan
о Swiffer WetJet + Refills
о Paper Towels
о Trash Bags
о Hand Soap
о Dish Soap
о Dishwasher Pods
о Laundry pods (must be high-efficiency)
о Household Cleaners: Multi-Surface, Window, & Toilet Bowl
Bedroom Bundle
о Twin- and Full-size Mattress Pads
о Twin- and Full-size Sheets
о Twin- and Full-size Comforters
о Standard Pillows
о Laundry Baskets
Please sign up for a drop-off time at ywcacassclay.org/holidaydropoff For more information, email adoptafamily@ywcacassclay.org
Bathroom Basics
о Plunger
о Rug Set
о Shower Curtain & Liner
о Shower Hook Set
о Small Wastebasket
о Toilet Brush
о Toilet Paper
о Towels
Clothing Gift Cards
о Old Navy
о Kohls
о JC Penney
о Walmart
THE GIFT OF SAFETY & SUPPORT FOR HER JOURNEY
THE FM AREA FOUNDATION
CARING CATALOG IS COMING
DECEMBER 2—DECEMBER 13
Give the gift of safety to someone who lives in fear and danger. Through YWCA, you’ll provide a safe and warm place to go when she has nowhere else to turn. You’ll ensure YWCA Emergency Shelter operates 24 hours every day of the year so vulnerable women and children immediately have an emergency home, food, clothing, and hygiene items.
Next, you’ll give the hope she needs for the future with a caring YWCA team to walk alongside her. YWCA understands trauma and connects to community resources for starting life over – because intimate partner violence often pushes women into poverty and homelessness.
Any gift – large or small – helps survivors!
• Your gift of $25 provides a dignity kit of essential hygiene items.
• Your gift of $66 provides the first night of shelter and empowerment programs.
• Your gift of $132 provides a night of shelter and services for both a woman and a child.
YWCA is one of 25 selected charities in the 2024 FM Area Foundation Caring Catalog! Gifts made online via the Caring Catalog qualify YWCA for special prizes! Learn more at areafoundation.org/caringcatalog
GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
ND CHARITABLE INCOME TAX CREDIT
North Dakota taxpayers may receive a state tax credit for contributions of $5,000 or more (lump sum or aggregate in one year) to a qualified North Dakota endowment. The tax credit is 40% of the charitable deduction allowed by the IRS up to a maximum of $10,000 per year per taxpayer or $20,000 per year per couple filing jointly.
YWCA Cass Clay has endowments to support the emergency shelter and our supportive housing program. As you consider a forever gift, we ask you to consider our most recent Lantern Light Endowment to ensure the support that families need.
ACHIEVING YOUR CHARITABLE
GOALS THROUGH
You can use your required minimum distribution to make a positive difference!
Every year charitable-minded Americans over age 72 face a dilemma: what to do with the mandatory taxable distribution—otherwise known as a required minimum distribution (RMD)—from their Traditional IRA account(s).
One option, if you are age 70½ or older, is to make a qualified charitable distribution and contribute up to $100,000 directly to qualified 501(c)(3) public
RMD
charities without counting the distribution as taxable income. Qualified charitable distribution offers a tax-efficient and simple way to satisfy your RMD while also achieving your charitable-giving objectives.
Please contact Jill at (701) 232-2547 if you’d like to support YWCA Cass Clay by making a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA.
This information is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your accountant, financial advisor or other professional advisors for information specific to your circumstances.
Our Deepest Gratitude
A sincere thank you to those who have honored someone they care about with a gift to YWCA.
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation, Speech Therapy in memory of Sue Hansmann
Kathryn Benson in honor of Portia Smith
Samantha Blanchette in honor of Hayden
Laura Carley in honor of her four granddaughters
Julie Haugen in honor of her mom
Roger Johnson in honor of June Johnson
Ramona Johnson in honor of Megan and Mallory
The family of Lucille Kingsley in memory of Lucille Kingsley
Elise Labernik in honor of her mom and mother-in-law
Connie Laite in memory of Maxine Pfeifer
Caroline Narveson in memory of David Cole
Margaret and Roger Nelson in memory of Wanda Hall
Vikki Nielsen in honor of her grandkids
Jane Nissen in honor of Kathleen Thompson
Arlys and Gerald Ohe in memory of Teresa Lewis
Sandra Osborne in memory of Frances Johnson
Kristen and John Powell in memory of Jack and Harriet Evert
Paulette Rastedt in honor of Rylee Rastedt
Dr. Lori Scheel in memory of Lorraine Steinberg
Oliver and Graham Spychalla in honor of their grandparents
Rosemary Thomas in memory of Dorothy Stangler
Carolyn Trana in memory of her Mom and Dad
Annie Wood in honor of Tellwell’s anniversary
A GRATEFUL THANK YOU!
As we enter the season of gratitude, we want to extend a special thank you to the many volunteers (those pictured here and more!) who have given their time and energy to YWCA. From painting, cleaning, and yard work to cooking up meals for families calling YWCA home, your generosity and helping hands make a real difference for the women and children we serve.
OCTOBER 21-26
YWCA WEEK WITHOUT VIOLENCE
For more than 20 years, YWCAs across the country have set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence – a week to raise awareness and engage action to end the broad spectrum of violence – as part of a global movement with World YWCA to end violence against women and girls.
This year’s theme was Financial Trauma: From Financial Abuse to Safety and Justice. Through a grant from YWCA USA and the AllState Foundation, YWCA Cass Clay created a video campaign to educate about the intersection of poverty and homelessness as it relates to financial and domestic abuse.
Follow YWCA Cass Clay on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to learn more!
@YWCACASSCLAY
TOP NEEDS
You can donate the things women need on their journeys to independence.
The families we serve need:
Winter Hats, Waterproof Mittens, and Snow Pants
(all sizes women’s & children’s)
Cold and Flu Medications
(NyQuil, DayQuil, Mucinex; new, not expired)
Women’s Underwear (new, sizes 5-8)
Twin-Size Sheets and Zippered Mattress Protectors (new and gently used)
Cleaning Supplies
(Disinfectant wipes, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner)
Please drop donations off at YWCA Emergency Shelter Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM, or ship to 3000 University Dr. S, Fargo, ND 58103.
View YWCA’s Needs List and shop our Amazon Wish List at ywcacassclay.org/needs
