YWCA Campaign for the Future

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THIS IS OUR MOMENT. We know that our communities can be places where everyone thrives.

Where women and children are free from the traumatizing impact of domestic violence.

Where jobs and economic independence create pathways to stability.

Where injustice and unfairness are faced with honesty and we find new ways forward together.

Where racism is rejected and equity embraced.

We know that our communities can lead the way for others.

And we know that together we can imagine, invest, and innovate to make this vision a reality!

JOIN US!

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OUR IMPACT

Through YWCA Evanston/ North Shore’s work over the last decade: Over

Over

women and children found safety and support at YWCA’s domestic violence shelter

children have received therapeutic interventions and support services in our domestic violence program

2,100

1,000

More than

Over

non-residential clients received counseling for ending and healing from abusive relationships

low to moderate income women gained financial knowledge and skills for increased economic independence

1,100

7,100

community members learned how to identify and address racial inequity within our communities and workplaces 2

1,700

5,600

children gained confidence and selfesteem through life-saving swim lessons and water safety instruction

OUR GROWTH

In the past 10 years, YWCA Evanston/North Shore has achieved record growth: Number of individual gifts increased

73%

Staff has grown

70%

Launched or expanded

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new impact areas Budget has increased

113% Total individual giving has grown

389%

Serving

38% Average contribution size has increased

more participants

183% 3

WE ARE ON A MISSION Since 1931, YWCA Evanston/North Shore has been a force for social justice in northeastern Chicagoland. Empowering women and eliminating racism are the heart of what we do.

We do it because we believe the well-being of ALL women is essential to the vitality of our communities.

Today, the need for YWCA has never been more urgent.

Issues of racial and gender equity continue to garner more attention nationally and locally. Our communities require both immediate assistance for individuals affected by domestic abuse, as well as leadership and advocacy to address the root causes of violence against women and racial and gender inequities.

YWCA is not new to this – we’re true to this. We stand ready to lead.

YWCA is not new to this – we’re true to this. We stand ready to lead.

With our strong and long record of community impact; our well-earned reputation as a trustworthy, stable, and credible community leader; and our steady pace of recent growth, YWCA Evanston/North Shore is poised to seize this moment – to do and become more for our communities.

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1970

2022

A CAMPAIGN FOR OUR FUTURE YWCA Evanston/North Shore is embarking on an $18.5 million capital campaign to launch our next phase of growth and service to our communities. This milestone effort will: Expand and upgrade our campus; Enhance our services to women and children; Increase our impact through new, innovative programs; and Accelerate our transformation to a community catalyst, thought leader, and advocate for racial and gender equity.

Our campaign is rooted in four pillars – the foundation for our collective work to fulfill YWCA’s vision for our communities.

FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE Building a new shelter and support center for survivors of domestic violence and their children, with increased capacity and an innovative design informed by best practices for trauma healing.

ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT Expanding and upgrading our training spaces with state-of-the-art technology to help more women gain the knowledge and tools to become financially stable.

RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY Establishing an Equity Institute at the YWCA as a central hub for convening our community, training, and action planning to advance racial and gender equity in northeastern Chicagoland.

AQUATICS ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY Making much-needed enhancements to our aquatics facilities in order to preserve the quality and extend the excellence of our historic swim program.

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“ I left my home late one night after a horrible, violent episode.

I took my daughter, the clothes on my back, and whatever else I could carry in a plastic garbage bag. YWCA was a light in the darkness for me. I am alive today – a mother, grandmother, wife, professor, and consultant – because of the compassion, care, and practical help I received there. I will always be grateful to YWCA for helping me reclaim my dignity and self-worth when I needed it the most.”

— Sarah Malone, YWCA Board Member and former shelter resident

FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE

Imagine a community where all are free to pursue their dreams.

Domestic violence doesn’t just harm the families involved – it robs the entire community of reaching its full potential.

In a society that grows increasingly interconnected each day, the shadow of abuse can take a toll on every area of life, from our general health and well-being to our students’ success in school to our companies’ bottom lines. Children, in particular, can suffer lifelong consequences from witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse: mental health and anxiety issues, the inability to form trusting bonds with adults, and struggles to deal appropriately with anger are just a few examples.

As the only comprehensive domestic violence program serving northeastern Chicagoland, YWCA offers a continuum of services that help survivors move from surviving to thriving. We meet the needs of individuals with housing (both long and short-term), counseling, legal advocacy, prevention, education, and training.

Every year, YWCA’s emergency housing shelters over 200 women and children seeking refuge from domestic violence. But the need for emergency shelter far exceeds our supply: each year, one thousand women and children are turned away due to lack of space. Our existing space also does not allow for conditions – such as privacy and autonomy – that help survivors heal.

OVER THE PAST DECADE: 2,100 WOMEN AND CHILDREN HAVE FOUND SAFETY AND SUPPORT IN OUR SHELTER 1,000 CHILDREN HAVE RECEIVED COUNSELING AND SUPPORT TO HEAL FROM THE TRAUMA OF ABUSE THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACCESSING COUNSELING AND SUPPORT TO CREATE SAFETY PLANS, UNDERSTAND DYNAMICS, AND ACCESS RESOURCES HAS DOUBLED OVER 10,000 WOMEN AND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN TURNED AWAY DUE TO LIMITED CAPACITY

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IN DIGNITY, SAFETY, AND HEALING OUR NEW TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT CENTER WILL FEATURE MORE PRIVATE ROOMS TO ENHANCE AUTONOMY AND FACILITATE INDIVIDUAL HEALING.

FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE

The experiences that compel a woman to seek shelter from violence are traumatic.

The refuge they find should promote healing and wellness.

TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT CENTER FOR SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES YWCA’s new Support Center will be one of the first domestic violence shelters in the nation whose design is informed by recognized principles for facilitating recovery from trauma. Our traumainformed center will support our residents’ healing journeys through innovative design that fosters independence, safety, and community.

Features of the Trauma-Informed Support Center: INDEPENDENCE More private, single and family rooms (24 total) will create the environment needed for individual healing In-room bathrooms and cooking options mean more privacy and autonomy Secure monitored indoor play space for children will give parents additional private space and time for personal recovery SAFETY Secure private entrance, new layout, improved sight lines, and enhanced security features will help ensure residents’ safety 3-season porch and protected outside play area for children will allow residents to have a safe outdoor space for play and gathering Elevators and other design features will make the new shelter safe and accessible for residents of all abilities Private rooms for intake and counseling services will protect confidentiality COMMUNITY Additional community gathering spaces on each floor will allow residents to come together for mutual support Family visitation room will encourage residents to maintain connections and supportive networks More support group space for women and play therapy space for children

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“ Everyone at the YWCA was so wonderful. They really cared. They helped me with my fear and my shame about money. Learning how to budget and save more of my money was liberating for me: it changed my life!”

— Eryn, Economic Advancement Program Participant

ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT

Imagine a community that thrives because women are able to support themselves and their families.

Economic empowerment doesn’t just play a critical role in helping women leave abusive relationships – it also strengthens our communities as a whole. When women acquire financial knowledge and tools, they are much more likely to escape cycles of poverty and violence and be full contributors to their communities and local economies.

YWCA’s economic advancement programs help women with lowto-moderate incomes develop the skills they need to build financial security and stability. We offer training on a variety of topics that are the building blocks of financial independence: budgeting and building credit, banking and financial planning, paying off debt and avoiding predatory financial practices, obtaining housing, and interviewing for jobs. We also offer one-on-one coaching to support women in achieving their financial goals.

Our economic advancement program has seen remarkable growth—a five-fold increase in the last 10 years. Because of our success, however, we are now challenged to accommodate current participants and to scale our programs further. Increased space and technology upgrades will allow us to expand our workshops as well as introduce exciting new programs teaching marketable jobs skills to women in our community.

IN OUR ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM: OVER 1700 WOMEN HAVE LEARNED HOW TO BUILD A BUDGET AND HAVE DEVELOPED STRATEGIES TO SAVE MONEY REGULARLY 34 INDIVIDUALS HAVE RECEIVED PERSONAL FINANCIAL COACHING 174 WOMEN HAVE ACCESSED RESOURCES FOR FINDING AND KEEPING STABLE HOUSING 113 WOMEN HAVE INCREASED SKILLS FOR JOBHUNTING AND INTERVIEWING 501 PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PROGRAMMING HAVE IMPROVED THEIR FINANCIAL POSITION

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IN KNOWLEDGE, ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE, AND HUMAN POTENTIAL FIVE NEW CLASSROOMS WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY WILL NEARLY QUADRUPLE YWCA’S CAPACITY FOR FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASSES, COACHING, AND JOB TRAINING

ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT

NEW TRAINING & EDUCATION SPACE Women are much more likely to achieve sustained economic independence when they have support across three interrelated areas: personal finance, housing, and employment. YWCA’s new economic empowerment training space will increase our capacity to meet women where they are, offer workshops and skill-building courses across all three areas, and increase individual success through personalized coaching and mentoring.

Most excitingly, the build-out of our training and education facilities will include dedicated space for YWCA’s inaugural job training program. Each year, we anticipate that 500 women will receive training and education in relevant, in-demand job skills through this innovative new offering, filling a critical need in our communities.

Features of the New Training & Education Space: State-of-the-art facilities and equipment: smartboards, laptops, dedicated computer lab, e-training technology Computer literacy classes to create greater equity of access to technology Specialized training space to support culinary and retail job training programs Private space for one-on-one financial and job coaching

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“YWCA’s tireless work in racial equity and justice is inspiring to our whole community, and bears fruit throughout the area. Everywhere I turn – churches, schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces – there are conversations on race that would not be happening without your work.”

— Marion Flynn, Equity Institute Program Participant

RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY

Imagine a community that is just, fair, and equitable for all of its residents.

From our founding, YWCA has believed in – and stood for – the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings. We believe that all people have the right to achieve their fullest human potential. When everyone can fully contribute, our communities flourish. But too often, systemic and societal barriers rooted in race and gender bias prevent members of our community from thriving.

Equity work is the intentional effort to level the playing field so that no matter who steps onto it, we all have access to the same opportunities and resources to build more stable futures.

YWCA works to change hearts, minds, and laws that restrict access to opportunities and resources based on race and gender.

We provide trainings on equity; build skills to take action; help organizations become more equitable through changing cultures, policies, and practices; bring our communities together around our shared commitment to equity; and engage our supporters in advocating for laws that improve access to opportunities and resources for all.

The time has now come for YWCA to do more. In order to build more just and equitable communities, our capacity must be commensurate with the work we envision. Our current facilities are insufficient for the level of training, convening, and action that we know our communities require, and that we know YWCA has the credibility and acumen to deliver.

OUR RACIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM HAS: TRAINED OVER 7,000 INDIVIDUALS ON RACIAL EQUITY, DEEPENING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF RACISM AND ACQUIRING SKILLS TO TAKE ACTION CONSULTED WITH OVER TWO DOZEN ORGANIZATIONS, HELPING THEM BECOME MORE EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES MOBILIZED NEARLY 100,000 INDIVIDUALS TO STAND UP FOR JUST AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

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IN EQUITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND ACTION EXPANDED SPACE WILL ALLOW US TO BRING MORE PEOPLE IN FOR TRAINING TO EXPAND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY AND BUILD SKILLS TO TAKE ACTION.

RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY

EQUITY INSTITUTE The new Equity Institute at YWCA is an expansion of our Racial Justice Program. It will build on our intersectional mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, and position YWCA Evanston/North Shore as a leader on issues of racial and gender equity.

Over the past decade, YWCA’s racial justice work has created space for our neighbors, partners, and stakeholders to hold difficult – but essential – conversations on race and injustice. We have been listening to our fellow residents’ concerns as they struggle with the changing needs of our communities and the impact racism has had on all their lives.

The Equity Institute will advance YWCA’s evolution to a catalyst and change agent and help our communities shine as a beacon of hope for others that aspire to greater justice and equity.

Features of the Equity Institute: Additional space will enable us to create a central hub for expanded equity trainings. As the sole nonprofit equity trainer in our area, YWCA will be able to make more of its trainings and programs easily accessible for our communities Space to convene regional stakeholders in developing strategy and action to influence public policy around issues of gender and racial equity A broadened portfolio of policy and advocacy work to influence institutions and systems to adopt the positive changes we seek Creation of a multifaceted roadmap, together with our communities, for achieving racial and gender equity at every level of our system Resource for trainings, consultations, curriculum, and materials to further learning and education around issues of racial and gender equity

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“ The Flying Fish program helps our kids find community, support, self-esteem, and connection with wonderful peer groups and role models, and gives meaningful purpose to their endeavors. As parents, we couldn’t articulate that we necessarily wanted all of this in one spot when we started, but we can’t imagine not having it now.”

— Julie, Flying Fish Program Parent

AQUATICS ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY

Imagine a community where all youth know how to swim.

Aquatics programming holds an important place in YWCA’s national history. At a time when women and people of color were denied the life-saving opportunity to learn how to swim, YWCAs began building pools and offering swim lessons to all who wanted to learn, regardless of race or gender or socio economic status.

Today, our Flying Fish Aquatics Program is a proud symbol of the principles of equity, inclusion, and empowerment that have guided YWCA since our early years.

Each year, thousands of youth and adults make a splash through our swim team, swimming lessons, and water safety and fitness classes.

YWCA is also a partner in Evanston Swims, an initiative to provide all second graders with free swimming and water safety instruction.

However, outdated facilities and inadequate parking affect our ability to attract families to our program and make it difficult for YWCA to compete with other local swim programs and continue leading the way as an inclusive and welcoming aquatics program for all. Without enhancements to modernize our aquatics center, we risk diminishing the excellence for which Flying Fish Aquatics is known.

OVER THE PAST DECADE: THE FAMILIES OF OVER 7,000 CHILDREN HAVE CHOSEN FLYING FISH AQUATICS, EMBRACING THE INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT THEY FIND AT YWCA NUMBER OF SWIM LESSON SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED ANNUALLY HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED (FROM 350 TO 1400), ENABLING US TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO 1 IN EVERY 3 CHILDREN. THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN OF COLOR ENROLLED IN SWIM LESSONS HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED (FROM 65 TO OVER 200 ANNUALLY) WE ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH A DOZEN YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE AS MANY CHILDREN AS POSSIBLE ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF SWIMMING

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IN EQUITY, WATER SAFETY, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OUR UPGRADED FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE RENOVATED LOCKER ROOMS, NEW VENTILATION SYSTEMS, AND FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS.

AQUATICS ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY

UPGRADED AQUATICS CENTER A first-rate aquatics program deserves a first-rate facility. An upgraded aquatics center will allow YWCA to preserve the excellence of our Flying Fish programs in an environment that is welcoming and accommodating for our swimmers and their families.

Features of the Upgraded Aquatics Center: ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES New ventilation systems to improve air quality in pool areas Floor-to-ceiling windows to increase natural light LOCKER ROOMS UPGRADES Remodeled locker rooms Enhanced privacy so that all visitors feel comfortable and safe Three private changing areas to better accommodate families with young children Two separate staff changing areas to ensure privacy CLASSROOMS & PARKING Expanded classroom space for youth water safety classes and for summer and holiday swim camps Increased parking to fully accommodate the number of families in our programs Additional parking will also allow YWCA to host swim meets, creating opportunities to build community and generate new revenues

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SINCE 1931, YWCA EVANSTON/NORTH SHORE HAS BEEN A LEADING CHAMPION FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITIES. ALMOST 90 YEARS LATER, WE STILL ARE. YOUR INVESTMENT TODAY WILL ENSURE THAT OUR IMPACT GROWS AND CONTINUES FOR DECADES TO COME.

WE’RE NOT NEW TO THIS, WE’RE TRUE TO THIS.

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1215 Church Street Evanston, IL 60201 847-864-8445 www.ywca-ens.org