YWCA Princeton is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. AtYWCAPrinceton,weknowthatearlychildhoodeducationismorethanaprogram-it’sapromise.Apromisethateverychildwill havetheopportunitytothrive,andeveryfamilywillhavethesupporttheyneedtopursuestability,economicmobility,andabetter future
Thatpromise,however,isincreasinglyunderthreat.
AcrossNewJerseyandthecountry,familiesarestrugglingtoaccessaffordable,high-qualitychildcare Thecrisisisreal:risingcosts,a shrinkingworkforce,andlimitedavailabilityhaveleftfartoomanyparents-especiallywomen-facingimpossiblechoicesbetween workandcaregiving.Insomeareas,careissimplyunavailable;inothers,it’sunaffordable.Andyet,earlychildhoodeducationremains oneofthemostimportantinvestmentswecanmakeinachild’slifelongdevelopmentandinthestrengthofourcommunities
That’swhyYWCAPrincetonisproudtoofferearlychildhoodeducationprogramsthatnotonlymeetthehigheststandardsofcare,but thatalsoprioritizeequityandaccessibility.ThroughthePearlBatesScholarshipFund,weprovidefinancialassistancesothatfamilies ofallbackgroundscanaccesscaretheycantrust-regardlessofincome Wedothisbecauseitiscoretoourmission:eliminating racism,empoweringwomen,andpromotingpeace,justice,freedom,anddignityforall
Butwecannotdothisalone.
Ifwearetomeetthegrowingneedsoffamilies,wemustadvocate-boldlyandunapologetically-forincreasedinvestmentinearly childhoodeducationatthestateandfederallevels That’swhyadvocacyisanessentialpartofourwork ReadourCalltoActionand seehowyoucangetinvolvedtoprotectearlychildhoodeducation.
RoseWong,ChiefExecutiveOfficer
Protect Early Childhood Education WeproudlystandwithpartnerslikeAdvocatesforChildrenofNewJersey(ACNJ)and NJAEYC-allofwhomarefightingtirelesslyforthefutureofthechildcareindustry. Thesepartnersarechampioninglegislationtoexpandaccess,improveaffordability, andstabilizethechildcareworkforce Theirleadershipisvital,andsoisyours Hereare afewkeyactionscurrentlyunderway:
WhatAboutTheKids?ElectionCampaign2025:AdvocatesforChildrenofNJis raisingawarenessonchildren'sissuesandhelpsshapethefocusandprioritiesof thoseelectedtothelegislatureinNovember. �� ACNJWhatAboutTheKids?
AdvocateforFederalFundingintheFY2025Budget:Nationalorganizationslike ChildCareAwareofAmericaarecallingonCongresstosignificantlyincrease childcarefundinginthefederalbudget.Sendalettertoyourlegislators: �� Child CareReliefActionCenter
JoinNJAEYC’sPublicPolicyNetwork:Stayinformedonearlyeducationpolicy andopportunitiestoengagelocally: �� NJAEYCAdvocacy&PolicyHub
Weurgeyou-whetheryouareaparent,educator,donor,orcommunityleader-toget involved.Theseissuesarenotisolated;theytoucheverypartofoureconomyand everyfacetofourcommunity’swell-being.
Weneedpolicymakerstohearthatearlychildhoodeducationisnotoptional-itis foundational.Weneedbusinessleaders,parents,educators,andadvocatestocome togetheranddemandthatchildcarebetreatedasthepublicgoodthatitis.
YWCAPrincetoniscommittedtobeingpartofthatmovement Andweinviteyouto standwithus.
June 14 - The Perfect Storm th While there is always something to do in Princeton, June 14 is the perfect storm of events. We can’t pick just one, so we hope to see you at these events! Machestic DragonsPaddle for Pink th
June 14 , 8 am - Mercer County Park, Lake Tower Field, 1638 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
PaddleforPinkisanannualdragonboatfestival hostedbytheMachesticDragons,NewJersey’s firstbreastcancersurvivordragonboatteam. Thiseventraisesfundsforlocalbreastcancer programs,includingYWCAPrinceton’sBreast CancerResourceCenter,andhasgrownsince 2007fromasmalleventtoafull-dayfestival withraces,liveentertainment,asilentauction, andvendors.Amoving“FlowersontheWater” ceremonyhonorsthoseaffectedbybreast cancer.Withover1,000paddlersandstrong communitysupport,it’sabelovedand impactfulevent
TAACC’s Juneteenth Celebration June 14 , 12 pm - Mercer County Park, Amphitheatre, 1638 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
TheAfricanAmericanCulturalCollaborativeof MercerCounty,inpartnershipwithNewJersey LegislativeDistrict15,proudlyannouncesthe5th AnnualJuneteenthCelebrationonSaturday, June14,2025,from12:00PMto8:00PMatMercer CountyParkFestivalGrounds.Thisfree,familyfriendlyeventwillfeatureadynamiclineupof performances,includingthesoulfulBishop's Choirandhigh-energysetsbyDJSWELLandDJ EDWARD.Attendeescanalsolookforwardtoa vibrantstepshowcompetition,culturalvendors, foodtrucks,andcommunityactivitiesthathonor thelegacyofJuneteenthandcelebrateAfrican Americanculture.
Bayard Rustin Center’s Pride Parade & After-Party April 17 , Trenton Hall - Mercer County Community College, 137 N Broad Street, Trenton, NJ
TheBayardRustinCenterforSocialJustice(BRCSJ)invitesthecommunitytoits2025PrincetonPrideParadeandAfterPartyonSaturday,June14,from11:00AMto6:00PM.Thisfree,inclusiveeventcelebratesLGBTQIA+identitieswitha vibrantdowntownparadefollowedbyfestivitiesattheBRCSJheadquartersat12StocktonStreetinPrinceton.Centered aroundthetheme“PRIDESAVESLIVES,”theeventhighlightsthepowerofcommunity,visibility,andadvocacyduringa timeofgrowingchallengesforqueerandtransindividuals.Thedayservesasbothajoyfulcelebrationandapowerful reminderoftheongoingfightforequality,justice,andacceptance.
Thisyear’scelebrationwillfeatureadynamicmixofdragartists,livemusic,studentperformers,andcommunityleaders. Attendeescanenjoyinspiringspeeches,danceperformances,andavarietyofinteractiveactivitiesthathonorthelegacyof PrideandupliftthevoicesofLGBTQIA+individuals.Theeventalsoprovidesasafeandaffirmingspacewherepeopleofall ages,backgrounds,andidentitiescancometogetherinsolidarity.Infosteringconnectionandempowerment,theBRCSJ continuestobuildamoreinclusiveandjustcommunity.
AANHP MayisAsianA PacificIsland celebratingt contributions theme,“ALe honorsthosewhosestrengthhasshapedfuture generations Weareembracingthisthemeby sharingvideosandprofileshighlightingAANHPI leaders,artists,andadvocatesreflectingon identity,resilience,andcommunity empowerment Checkoutourfirsttwovideos!
WatchtheVideos https://www.youtube.com/playlist? list=PLUE8GD4qP6PeFADmBVJZX-Ck5dh1DB4h-
Until Justice Just Is Winners CongratulationstoSheenaAsh,the winnerofYWCAPrinceton’s Until Justice Just Is Competition!Herspokenword poem“ToBeReal”wasamazingand broughtourstafftotears.Sheena’s dedicationtoadvancingracialjusticeand equityistrulyinspiring Abi th k t allofourhighschoolstuden participated!OurSecondPl AriaZhou’scaptivatingpictu MichaelBessroundedoutth hisThirdPlacewinningessa ofAwarenessandActivism”.
ViewtheSubmissions https://wwwcanvacom/des
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syear’s artnership hisengaging hercurious mindsfromthePrincetoncommunitytoexplore contemporaryfeministtextsthroughthe thought-provokinglensesofcreation,care, computation,climate,andcommunity.Whether you'repassionateaboutliterature,activism,or meaningfulconversation,thisisaspaceto connect,reflect,andgrow Wewarmlywelcome women bothtransandcis aswellasnonbinary,gendernon-conformingindividuals,and alliesofallgenders.Don’tmissthisfinalchance tobepartofsomethingpowerfulandinspiring!
Community Yard Sale Saturday May 17th at 8 am
YWCAPrinceton,incollaborationwiththe PrincetonHumanServicesDepartment,is hostingaCommunityYardSaleonSaturday, May17,2025,from8:00AMto1:00PMatthe YMCA–YWCAfieldlocatedat59PaulRobeson PlaceinPrinceton.Theeventaimstopromote sustainability,communityspirit,andeconomic ibilitybyofferingaffordableclothing, holdgoods,toys,andmore Interested cancontactChiefAdvancementOfficer Faimanatkfaiman@ywcaprincetonorg -297-2100ext 316formoreinformation endor! /www.ywcaprinceton.org/yardsale2025
A Closer Look: How NJ’s Governor Candidates Say They’ll Improve Health & Safety for Women and Communities of Color By: Darlene Nawuridam, Equity Coordinator
WatchingNewJersey’sgubernatorialcandidatesspeakliveinNewarkatTheRaceforNJ GovernorSocialJusticeForumofferedamuchclearerpictureoftheirpriorities The eventwasespeciallypowerfulinhighlightingwhereeachcandidatestandsonmaternal health,publicsafety,andracialequity.Oneparticularlynotablemomentwasthe enthusiasticresponseNewarkMayorRasBarakareceivedeachtimehespoke Whether duetotheNewarksettingorhisdeepalignmentwiththeissuesdiscussed,thestrong resonancebetweenhismessageandtheaudiencewasunmistakable.
MaternalHealth:MorethanAccess,It’sAboutEquity.
Acrosstheboard,candidatesacknowledgedNewJersey’sstaggeringmaternalhealth disparities.Blackwomeninthestateareseventimesmorelikelytodieinchildbirththan whitewomen,acrisisthatpersistsregardlessofincome,education,orzipcode.Mayor Barakadidnothesitatetomentiontherootissue,racism.“Youcannotbeafraidofthe womenofourcommunityandcareforthematthesametime,”hesaid,callingfora statewidecommitteeofBlackandBrownwomentoholdhospitalsaccountable.Healso pushedforstatefundingofdoulasandmidwifes,arguingtheyshouldbe“allowedin hospitalswithourmothers,grandmothers,sisters,anddaughters.”
Policing&PublicSafety:FromAccountabilitytoPrevention Policingreformwasanothertopicattheforum,withcandidatesofferingarangeof solutionswhilecollectivelyacknowledgingthatcommunitiesofcolorare disproportionatelyharmedbythecurrentsystem.StevenFulophighlightedhistenureas MayorofJerseyCity,emphasizingbothstructuralreformsandaccountabilitymeasures withinthepolicedepartment “We’veprobablyfiredordisciplinedmoreofficersthan anyoneinthestate,”henoted,whilecallingforcivilianreviewboardswithreal subpoenapowertoensuremeaningfuloversight.Whereas,SeanSpillerbroughtthe issuebacktopersonalandcommunitytrauma,“Nomothershouldhavetoteachtheir childhowtosurviveapoliceencounter.That’swhat’swrong.”Headvocatedforpolice trainingthatfocusesonbiasandaccountability,andforrestoringrightstopeople returningfromincarceration
CommonGroundandKeyContrasts Whiletherewasaconsensusontheurgencyofaddressingdisparitiesinbothmaternal healthandpolicing,thecandidatesdifferedinhowthey’ddoit.CandidateslikeFulop, Baraka,andSpilleremphasizedstructuralreformssuchasbreakinguphealthcare monopolies,creatingindependentpoliceoversightboards,anddirectingfunding towardscommunity-basedprograms.WhileinstitutionalistslikeBramnickandSweeney focusedonstate-levelefficiencyandbetterleadership.Lastly,health-focusedvoiceslike SherrillandZielinskihighlightedearlyintervention,holisticcare,andarejectionof profit-drivensystems
WhatbecameclearfromthisforumisthatNJhealthcareandpublicsafetysystemsare notservingeveryoneequally,especiallynotBlackwomenandcommunitiesofcolor. Severalcandidateshad frustrationwith thestatusquo.Thene ntopolicy.Andthat startswithvotinginth ubernatorial electiononNovember
Rose Wong (CEO), Brigitte Jean-Louis (Director of Mission Advancement), and Darlene Nawuridam (Equity Coordinator) at The Race for NJ Governor: Social Justice Forum
