OUR 2023
EMPOWERING THE FUTURE
IMPACT
columbus ohio
ON A MISSION TOGETHER
As I reflect on my first year as president and CEO of YWCA Columbus, I can only share my gratitude for each of our supporters, as well as our board and leadership, and many other community partners.
Many of you have courageously joined us to challenge anti-education and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation this year. You’ve also shared your time, talents, and perspectives on other pertinent topics, including access to high-quality child care, alleviating our region’s housing crisis, and reproductive justice and liberation in Ohio, all of which, of course, are rooted in our mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.
You also have physically shown up for the women and families who depend on YWCA Columbusthrough serving meals, volunteering, and donating supplies, holiday gifts and other necessities. Thank you for responding to the needs of our Central Ohio community and supporting our pursuit of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
YWCA COLUMBUS IS DEDICATED TO DIGNITY
Elizabeth Brown President and CEO ywca columbus
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Through the generous support of our donors, particularly the American Electric Power Foundation, our transformative social justice work continues to grow and positively impact our local community and beyond.
Notably, YWCA Columbus was awarded the 2023 Association Excellence Award for Mission Impact in the Field of Racial Justice at the national conference of YWCA associations, selected out of nearly 200 associations across the country.
WE PROVIDED JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND BELONGING TRAINING TO
ORGANIZATIONS
98%
feel more confident reported greater understanding
As a result of participating in Racial Equity Foundations & Applications training, 98% of respondents reported gaining a greater understanding of the definitions and differences between inequality, equality, equity, and justice.
95%
As a result of participating in Restorative Practices 101 training, 95% feel more confident in their ability to restoratively respond to harm they caused.
EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS
Through Bright Futures and The Kathy Duffy Espy Leadership for Social Change programs, we empowered 100 WOMEN AND GIRLS from middle school through adulthood to become leaders of social change in their schools, workplaces, and communities.
“[I learned how] unstoppable women are when they embrace their potential, and how that same potential grows exponentially when they stand together in that power.” – LSC ’23 Graduate
ADVOCACY
ADVOCACY
We grew our advocacy work, hiring the first ever director of advocacy, which allows us to pursue public policy that supports marginalized people at all levels of government, including – but not limited to – several wins in 2023, like:
We grew our advocacy work, hiring the first ever director of advocacy, which allows us to pursue public policy that supports marginalized people at all levels of government, including – but not limited to – several wins in 2023, like:
Protecting TANF funding and Step Up to Quality
Protecting TANF funding and Step Up to Quality
Stopping harmful anti-education and anti-LGBTQ+ bills from passing
Stopping harmful anti-education and anti-LGBTQ+ bills from passing
Advocating for the city’s investment in nonpolice crisis response
Advocating for the city’s investment in nonpolice crisis response
The implementation of policy recommendations on housing at the city level
The implementation of policy recommendations on housing at the city level
Enshrining abortion access into the state constitution
Enshrining abortion access into the state constitution
To build on our advocacy to protect honest education, YWCA Columbus invited Dr. Ibram X. Kendi to speak about antiracism, education, and his recent work to make history accessible to all ages at our 6th annual Activists and Agitators event.
To build on our advocacy to protect honest education, YWCA Columbus invited Dr. Ibram X. Kendi to speak about antiracism, education, and his recent work to make history accessible to all ages at our 6th annual Activists and Agitators event.
“I enjoyed every minute… Ibram X. Kendi was amazing, I loved the panel and hearing their different views, and the poet brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart.” – 2023 Activists and Agitators
Attendee
“I enjoyed every minute… Ibram X. Kendi was amazing, I loved the panel and hearing their different views, and the poet brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart.” – 2023 Activists and Agitators
Attendee
HOUSING
THE CENTER FOR WOMEN
YWCA Columbus operates two housing facilities – one permanent, supportive housing program for women and an emergency shelter for families – both acting as pillars of support to people in crisis.
WOMEN’S RESIDENCY
WOMEN
SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAINED HOUSING SERVED
FAMILY CENTER
Housed 251 families, over half of which transitioned from shelter to more stable housing
w
18% of adults gained employment while at the YWCA Family Center, thanks in part to support from YWCA’s workforce coordinator and many community partnerships
“I am more focused now, my kids are happy, I am positive thinking about the future, I have hope. [YWCA has] great support systems that are well needed.”
– Resident at the YWCA Family Center y c a
VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS
YWCA Columbus broke ground at our Family Center in fall 2023 to renovate outdoor play and recreation spaces, thanks to generous support from numerous officials and donors, as well as the dedicated teams at EMH&T and Midstates Recreation. As of December, construction is underway! Once completed, the newly revitalized spaces will serve as a symbol of hope, stability, and belonging for our residents.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
With more than 30 years of experience, YWCA Columbus provides affordable, dependable, high-quality before- and after-school programming at YWCA Kids Place in Gahanna, Westerville, and the United Schools Network.
All of YWCA Kids Place (YKP) programs are rated through the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Step Up To Quality rating and improvement system.
YWCA KIDS PLACE
In 2023, we implemented “Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies,” a social emotional learning-based initiative that extended beyond the programs into the homes of every child enrolled in YWCA Kids Place by providing take-home activities for physical, social emotional, and cognitive development, which increased parent engagement and empowered students.
Across all 23 sites, YWCA provided high-quality childcare services for 1,613 children, enabling their caregivers to pursue and retain employment.
In 2023, YWCA Columbus:
• Hosted our first Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing prep course, retaining six participants as YWCA employees.
• Created a multi-cultural library that also contains leadership resources for staff.
• Hosted two leadership summits for staff, as well as a self-care retreat for all education staff.
As of 2023, Safe & Sound, the 5-Star Step Up To Quality-rated childcare center located within the YWCA Family Center, provides drop-in care and convenient care to families in shelter and opened its doors to the public for the first time.
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
YWCA Columbus was overwhelmed by the community’s response to the 38th annual Women of Achievement event in 2023, which spoke to last year year’s class of remarkable women – Laurel Beatty Blunt, Marilyn Brown, Chris Cozad, Colleen Marshall, Dr. Patrice Palmer, and Bettye J. Stull – as well as the palpable joy felt by those in the room.
Through the generosity of our supporters – and The Champion Companies’ commitment to match funds raised during and immediately following the event YWCA Columbus raised over $653,000, which enabled us to continue providing shelter, meals and other necessities to all the families and women who depend on us.
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
PARTICIPANTS AT WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
WOMEN IN THE ACADEMY OF WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
WOMEN ON THE RISE HONORED SINCE 2020
2024 BOARD OFFICERS
REBECCA BUTLER
Chair
Columbus State Community College
ERIKA CLARK JONES
Chair-Elect
ADAMH Board of Franklin County
2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JANE GROTE ABELL
Donatos Pizza
EVE ELLINGER BUCKLES Liberty Mutual
SHADENA M. CARTER Liberty Mutual
MARIBEL DELFAUS Cardinal Health
DANIELLE DEMKO Bath & Body Works
MIA HAIRSTON Nationwide
ANECA E. LASLEY Ice Miller, LLP
CHERYL LEBENS
Grange Insurance
2024 ENDOWMENT TRUST BOARD
SHELBY ROTHENBERGER
Chair
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
DANIELLE BALL
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
CHRISTINA PATEL
The Ohio State University
SHAWNA DAVIS Secretary The Ohio State University
COLETTE BARRICKS Treasurer
University of South Carolina
KELLY LEONARD PNC Financial Services Group
GAIL MARSH
JUDY MARSH Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease
LAUREN MCBRIDE The Ohio State University
MELISSA SHIVERS The Ohio State University
MICHELLE SILWONUK JPMorgan Chase
MARY BETH SULLIVAN Huntington Insurance
MICHELLE YEAGER-THORNTON The Champion Companies
MOLLY PEIRANO
University of South Carolina
STEPHANIE SAGHY
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
CARY HANOSEK
Emeritus Merrill Lynch Wealth Management