YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento Blog

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Honoring Culture, Legacy, and Leadership

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 16:11:39 GMT

Every September 15th through October 15th, we come together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month—a time dedicated to recognizing the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities across the globe. This month-long celebration provides us with an opportunity to honor the activists, artists, athletes, and scientists whose achievements have fundamentally shaped our society.

Why Hispanic Heritage Month Matters

In a time when equity and representation matter more than ever, Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact that Hispanic and Latinx communities have made throughout history and continue to make today. From groundbreaking scientific discoveries to transformative social movements, from captivating artistic expressions to inspiring athletic achievements, these contributions have woven themselves into the very fabric of our communities.

At YWCA, we stand in solidarity with Hispanic and Latinx communities, continuing our advocacy for justice, inclusion, and empowerment. This celebration isn't just about looking back—it's about recognizing the ongoing legacy and future potential of these vibrant communities.

Celebrating Trailblazers and Change-Makers

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we're uplifting Hispanic and Latina leaders whose impact spans every area of our lives. These remarkable individuals have broken barriers, challenged systems, and inspired countless others to pursue their dreams and fight for justice.

Champions of Social Justice

Gaby Pacheco stands as a beacon of hope in the immigration rights movement. This dedicated activist has spent her life fighting for immigrant rights and access to education, inspiring countless young people to stand up for justice. Through her leadership, she has helped raise critical awareness about the importance of humane immigration policies, making a lasting impact on communities across the nation.

Gabriela Mistral , the Chilean poet and Nobel laureate, used her extraordinary literary talent to advocate for education, social justice, and human rights. Her powerful words continue to inspire generations of Latin American writers and thinkers, championing compassion and cultural identity through her timeless work.

Voices for Truth and Health

Maria Elena Salinas broke new ground as a trailblazing journalist, using her influential platform to advocate for Hispanic communities and promote truthful, impactful journalism. Her dedicated work has helped bridge cultural gaps and raise awareness of important social issues, paving the way for future generations of journalists.

Mayra Alvarez exemplifies leadership in public health, dedicating her career to advancing health equity and improving access to quality healthcare for underserved populations. Her tireless advocacy has helped shape policies that promote healthier communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live their best life.

Pioneers in Arts and Science

Lila Downs captivates audiences worldwide with her powerful voice and compelling cultural storytelling. Through her music, she honors indigenous roots and sheds light on social issues affecting Latin America, empowering communities through her artistry and advocacy.

Dr. Mireya Mayor inspires women in STEM fields as a distinguished primatologist and conservationist. Her leadership in wildlife research and environmental advocacy demonstrates the crucial importance of conservation and scientific inquiry, opening doors for future scientists and researchers.

Mariana Pajón , Colombia's "Queen of BMX," made history as the first Colombian to win two Olympic gold medals. Her fearless spirit, record-breaking achievements, and unwavering dedication to her sport continue to inspire generations across Latin America and beyond, proving that with determination, anything is possible.

Fostering Understanding and Appreciation

These stories represent just a fraction of the countless contributions made by Hispanic and Latinx individuals throughout history. Each achievement, whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes, has helped build the diverse, dynamic society we live in today.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we encourage everyone to:

Learn about the rich histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latinx communities
Listen to the voices and stories of these remarkable individuals and communities
Support Hispanic and Latinx-owned businesses, artists, and organizations
Advocate for continued equity, inclusion, and representation in all areas of society
 Celebrate the ongoing contributions that make our communities stronger and more vibrant

Join the Celebration

Hispanic Heritage Month is more than just a celebration—it's a call to action. It's an invitation to recognize the beauty of diversity, the strength found in different perspectives, and the power of inclusive communities. As we honor the past and present contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities, we also commit to supporting their continued success and leadership in shaping our shared future.

Together, we can create a world where every culture is celebrated, every voice is heard, and every person has the opportunity to thrive. This Hispanic Heritage Month, let's not just observe—let's participate, learn, and grow together.

Join us throughout the month as we continue to celebrate these trailblazers and their enduring legacies. Follow our social media channels for more stories and ways to get involved in your community.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, YWCA is proud to stand with Hispanic and Latinx communities in celebrating their invaluable contributions to our society. Together, we continue working toward a more just, inclusive, and equitable world for all.

YWCA is on a Mission

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:44:10 GMT

YWCA: Advocacy Update (YWCA National)

YWCA’s commitment to racial justice and civil rights runs deep

Since the 1800s, Black and Native women have been providing leadership in YWCA’s movement, and because of the leadership of women of color, in 1946 YWCA began working for integration throughout the organization, adopting an “interracial charter” that established that “wherever there is injustice on the basis of race, whether in the community, the nation, or the world, our protest must be clear and our labor for its removal, vigorous, and steady.”

That work culminated in the creation of YWCA’s One Imperative in 1970:

To thrust our collective power towards the elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary.

Today, we remain committed to ensuring that everyone is afforded equal protection under the law, and our intersectional mission to eliminate racism and empower women demands that we show up to advocate against the oppression that many groups and individuals endure, including through recognizing the interconnected experiences of discrimination and disadvantage that women face from their overlapping identities. Too often, stereotypes, biases, and racial power dynamics are embedded in our laws and public policies. They are also reflected in the use of racial profiling, heightened surveillance tactics, targeted enforcement strategies, and other practices that increase policing of certain racial and ethnic communities (but not others) that lead to criminalization and often the death of people of color.

At YWCA, we demand a world of equity and human decency.

We envision a world of opportunity. We commit ourselves to the work of racial justice. We will get up and continue to do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, until the world sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.

https://www.ywca.org/what-we-do/racial-justice-civil-rights

Calendar of Events

Meet our YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento Board of Directors and Staff Members

Childcare Events

YWCA Childcare Curriculum

In the month of January, we learned about diversity. We talked about what makes us the same and what makes us different.

In the month of April we learned about our environment. We learn how to conserve water and energy. The children created new items with recycled materials.

In the month of June we learned all about food and nutrition.

In the month of May the children learned about different animals. Some of our sites had visits from local petting zoos.

Curriculum

Each month has a new theme that will be explored with the children. You can find the weekly lesson plans on the parent board in your child's classroom.

Mental Health

Parenting:

Back-to-School Tips for Families

Make the first day of school easier for kids.

Take your child to visit the new school or classroom before the first day of school. Attend any orientations you can and take an opportunity to tour the school. Also consider taking your child to school a few days prior to class to play on the playground to help them feel comfortable. Many children get nervous about new situations, including changing to a new school, classroom or teacher. It can be helpful to rehearse heading into the new situation.

Remind your child that teachers know that students may be nervous about the first day of school; they will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible. If your child seems nervous, ask them what they are worried about and help them problem-solve ways to master the new situation.

Point out the fun aspects of school starting to help your child look forward to the first day of class. Talk about how they will see old friends and meet new ones, for example.

Find another child in the neighborhood you child can walk to school or ride with on the bus. If you feel it is needed, drive your child (or walk with them) to school and pick them up on the first day. Get there early on the first day to cut down on unnecessary stress.

Develop a healthy sleep routine.

Help your child adjust to earlier bedtimes a week or two before the new school year starts, just to help them ease into new routines. Set a consistent bedtime for your child and stick with it every night. Getting enough sleep is critical for kids to stay health and be successful in school. Not getting enough sleep is linked with lower academic achievement, as well as higher rates of absenteeism and tardiness.

Create a bedtime routine that is consistent to help your child settle down and fall asleep. For example, a calming prebedtime routine may involve a bath/shower, reading with them, tucking them in and saying goodnight.

Have your child turn off electronic devices well before bedtime. Try to have the home as quiet and calm as possible when younger children are trying to fall asleep.

Mental Health Counseling

How can I get the school district to evaluate or assess my child?

Your school district has an obligation to “identify, locate and evaluate” all children with disabilities who may be eligible for special education, including those who are attending private schools or are homeless or wards of the court. This is called “Child Find.” If the district has a reason to suspect that your child may have a disability, it has its own duty to conduct a full evaluation to determine her eligibility. The threshold for suspecting a disability is relatively low. The district must assess a student based on a suspicion of disability and consequent need for services, not whether a student actually qualifies for special education services.

You can also make a referral for assessment at any time. Send a written, dated referral to your local school administrator (for example, the principal or special education program consultant); outline your areas of concern about your child’s suspected disability and request an “evaluation” or “assessment.” Follow up with a phone call to ensure the school district is aware of your referral and to remind them of the timeline they must follow.

Once the school district receives your written referral for assessment, the assessment process must begin. A referral is defined as any written request for assessment by a parent, guardian, foster parent, teacher, or other service provider Under California regulations, all written referrals shall initiate the assessment process. If you call or speak to school staff to make a referral, the school district must offer to put your request in writing.

MDUSD: Preschool Assessment Center 925- 685-1960

PUSD Special Education (925) 473-2300 x2515

AUSD 925-779-7500

WCCUSD Special Education (510) 307-4630

BUSD 925.513.6319

YWCA offers the following Therapy Services: Individual Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Child Play Therapy

Experienced Professionals for: Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, Parenting Skills, Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress, Death & Dying

 YWCA provides services to meet your needs. For more information please call: (925) 372-4213 x 116

YWCA is on a Mission

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:33:46 GMT

YWCA: Advocacy Update (YWCA National)

About Until Justice Just Is

Equity in Action: Exposing Myths and Redefining Justice YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Because we know that we cannot empower all women without confronting systemic racism, we act every day by raising awareness of the impacts of institutional and structural racism and by building community among those who work for racial justice.

This year, our racial justice campaign, Until Justice Just Is (UJJI), centers around the theme Equity in Action: Exposing Myths and Redefining Justice, and it will be based on the topics for the 2025 YWCA Racial Justice Challenge, which will be:

Age of Misinformation / Disinformation

Misinformation deeply affects racial justice by spreading false information, biased stories and reinforcing stereotypes that shape public opinion and policy. This topic will look at how misinformation spreads through social media and other platforms, often harming communities of color the most. We’ll also explore the connection between race, technology, and media literacy, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and trusted sources to fight harmful misinformation.

Interpersonal Racism

Interpersonal racism happens in everyday interactions where racist attitudes are shown, whether intentionally or not. This topic looks at how it shows up in social settings, workplaces, schools, and public spaces. We’ll talk about how things like microaggressions, racial slurs, and other biases impact people of color personally and feed into larger inequalities. We’ll also discuss ways to recognize and challenge interpersonal racism in daily life.

The American Dream

The idea of the American Dream is often seen as something available to everyone, but racial inequalities show a different story. This topic looks at how systemic racism impacts access to the American Dream for people of color, focusing on obstacles like economic inequality, housing discrimination, and access to education. It also examines how race and socio-economic status intersect with the values behind the American Dream.

Racialization of Crime

The racialization of crime refers to how racial biases and stereotypes affect people’s perceptions of crime and shape criminal justice policies. This topic looks at how people of color, especially Black, Latinx individuals, and Muslims, are unfairly targeted and impacted by law enforcement practices and the criminal justice system. It also examines how race, media portrayals, and public attitudes towards crime intersect, showing how systemic racism and Islamophobia influence crime-related policies and outcomes.

Calendar of Events

Meet our YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento Board of Directors and Staff Members

Childcare Events

YWCA Childcare Curriculum

In the month of January, we learned about diversity. We talked about what makes us the same and what makes us different.

In the month of February, we learned about different community helpers.

In the month of March, we learned all Women's empowerment and famous women in history.

YWCA Family Resource Fair was held March 8th, 2025 at our Bay Point site.

Curriculum

Each month has a new theme that will be explored with the children. You can find the weekly lesson plans on the parent board in your child's classroom.

Mental Health

Parenting:

3 Ways to Begin to Develop Preschoolers’ Literacy Skills

By Jacquelyn Bobien-Blanton

1. Support Print Awareness

The first step to focus on in preschool literacy is the understanding of how written language works. Print awareness enables us to recognize letters, words, and sentences in our environment. It also involves the concept that print tells us something, and it provides us knowledge about books and the directionality of reading. We build print awareness by exploring print in our environment (on signs, labels, and logos in everyday life) and in books. We read aloud daily and discuss the parts of the book, the illustrator, the author, and the title page.

2. Build Phonological Awareness

The second important part of literacy to consider for preschool students is phonological awareness (PA). This is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken words. Activities to support PA can include games related to sound manipulation, as well as listening to, rhyming, singing, and reciting nursery rhymes. The focus is to build auditory processing skills, because PA is about sounds.

Identifying rhyming words is a key part of PA. You can explain to your preschool students that rhyming words have the same sound at the end. To help students build this skill, I’ve read them nursery rhymes and asked them to put their thumbs up or make a movement (like jump, clap, stomp, tap, etc.) when they hear the rhyming words. Pause before you get to the rhyming word, and ask the children to say it. Or, have your students provide a new rhyming word (a real or nonsense word).

3. Encourage Phonics

At the preschool level, phonics is simply about helping children recognize sound-symbol relationships by matching the letter names (graphemes) to corresponding letter sounds (phonemes). My teachers and I engage children in games where they match letters either upper to upper, lower to lower, or uppercase to lowercase. Make letter cutouts using different types of materials, like sandpaper, felt, or construction paper, and let children explore the letters as you point out the different types of lines that form the letters (i.e., straight, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved).

*Resource - “3 Ways to Begin to Develop Preschoolers’ Literacy Skills” by Jacquelyn Bobien-Blanton www.edutopia.org – Edutopia, George Lucas Learning Foundation.

Mental Health Counseling

Coping skills are crucial for kids as they equip them to manage emotions, handle stress, and build resilience, ultimately leading to better mental and emotional well-being, improved academic success, and stronger relationships.

1. Emotional Regulation and Management:

Understanding and Managing Emotions: Coping skills help children understand and manage their emotions, including sadness, anger, fear, and embarrassment, which can improve their overall outlook on life.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety: When children learn to cope with difficult situations, they can better manage stress and anxiety, reducing the likelihood of developing unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse or avoidance.

Promoting Emotional Self-Regulation: Learning to regulate emotions is a skill that children need to practice, and it's like a muscle that grows over time.

Developing Resilience: Children who have good coping skills are more resilient and better able to bounce back from challenges and setbacks.

2. Improved Social and Academic Success:

Better Relationships: Children with strong coping skills often get along better with others and are more likely to form and maintain healthy friendships.

Improved Academic Performance: When children can manage their emotions and stress, they are better able to focus in school and learn.

Increased Confidence: Developing coping skills can boost a child's confidence in their ability to handle challenges, leading to greater self-esteem.

3. Reduced Risk of Negative Outcomes:

Lower Risk of Mental Health Problems: Children who have good coping skills are less likely to develop mental health problems like anxiety or depression.

Reduced Risk of Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: Learning healthy coping strategies can help children avoid developing unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse or self-harm.

Improved Physical Health: Chronic stress can negatively impact physical health. Developing healthy coping mechanisms can help to reduce the risk of physical health problems due to an altered immune response.

YWCA offers the following Therapy Services: Individual Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Child Play Therapy

Experienced Professionals for: Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, Parenting Skills, Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress, Death & Dying

 YWCA provides services to meet your needs. For more information please call: (925) 372-4213 x 116

Asian American And Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Women's Equal Pay Day Toolkit

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:17:29 GMT

About Equal Pay Day

Equal Pay Days recognize the current status of the gender wage gap and launches a calendar – calculated each year based on Census and other economic and workforce data – that represents the dates that women across racial and ethnic groups, disability, sexual orientation, and parenthood would have to work in the current year to earn what a white, non-Hispanic man working year-round, full time made the previous year.

We will share new content ahead of each of the recognized dates for 2025 in addition to our suggested messaging.

Reach out to Christine Sloane with any questions or for additional support.

YWCA is on a Mission

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:36:43 GMT

YWCA: Advocacy Update (YWCA National)

YWCA USA is a strong network nationwide of 194 local associations. Local associations are asked yearly to provide program-level data for collective impact evaluations. In 2022, 135 (68.9%) local associations reported on their programs and impact. Impact data provided throughout recognizes those who submitted and is not the collective 194. Women, girls and families enrolled in YWCA Local Associations nationwide.

Racial Justice and Civil Rights Our 2022 Program Inventory and Impact Survey program survey shows fifty-five percent of associations engaging in racial justice (RJ) initiatives. With 98 programs, local associations are poised to mobilize on initiatives that prevent racial inequities and ensure fairness for all. This RJ Impact Area Summary sheds light on local associations’ activities and trends that can enrich programming.

73 Local Associations

98 programs

Served 76,133 people

67.99% of people served were people of color

38.17% of people served were Women and Girls

Women’s Empowerment Women’s empowerment programs are designed to increase empowerment among Women and Girls. Programming includes but is not limited to economic advancement and leadership development. Local associations who completed the survey were allowed to select which sub-area the program that was being reported on fell into. Sixty-seven associations reported having a Women’s empowerment program, and these associations reported:

147 programs

Served 70,742 people

52.11% of people served were people of color

69.60% of people served were Women and Girls

Health & Safety

The Health and Wellness Impact Area covers an array of activities and programs designed to meet community members’ physical and mental health and well-being. Local associations who completed the survey were allowed to select which sub-area the program was being reported on fell into. Sixty-five associations reported having a health and wellness program, and these associations reported:

109 programs

Served 114,013 people 47.32% of people served were people of color

64.47% of people served were Women and Girls

Childcare Access to quality childcare programming, rising childcare costs, and the lingering impact of COVID-19 concerning staffing shortages make childcare a burden for the people we serve. In the 2022 Program Inventory and Impact Survey (program survey), 60.7% of reporting local associations offered 153 childcare program services to children and their families, of which 31% live at or below the Federal Poverty Level.

66,373 total people accessed services through childcare and child development and family support programs

64% are Women and Girls

Calendar of Events

Meet our YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento Board of Directors and Staff Members

Childcare Events

YWCA Childcare Curriculum

In the month of October, we learned the different emotions.

In the month of November, we learned about STEM.

In the month of December, we explored different types of music, dance and art.

Curriculum

Each month has a new theme that will be explored with the children. You can find the weekly lesson plans on the parent board in your child's classroom.

Mental Health

Parenting:

Reasons Routines Are Essential For Children

Children thrive with security and communication and often fear the unknown. Routines are an important part of a child’s life. Whether in the classroom, daycare, or at home, it is important to create routines to help children succeed in their daily lives. Keep reading to learn more about how essential routines are for children and the people that surround them.

Routines Establish Expectations:

All caregivers know that there is a significant power struggle that can accompany getting children to do things they do not want to do, especially when a child is tempted by something fun. Bath time, bedtime, and clean-up time are interruptions to fun and play for a child. One way to combat the temper tantrums that come along with introducing something a child will not want to do is proper transition time with routine. If children know ahead of time that they have to pick up their toys after they play and that they have a nap at the same time every day, they begin to expect and complete activities without fear of sudden change. Children also learn that certain tasks are expected of them at certain times and not at random.

Routines Are Essential to Children’s Health:

Children’s bodies are like clocks and routines help them function and maintain healthy systems. Having a proper routine with designated task times will help your child:

Sleep well at night and at nap time
Eat full, healthy meals that satisfy them for longer periods of time
Behave calmly during down time throughout the day
Maintain regular bowel movements which can help avoid stomach aches
Experience overall mood improvement

If your child becomes accustomed to routine times for these daily activities, their bodies will adjust and give them natural queues, for instance feeling hungry around lunch time or sleepy around nap time.

Routines Allow Children to Bond With Their Families

Children notice what is important and recognize times for family activities and bonding when it’s part of a routine. Families can bond through performing routines together. Some family routines include family meals, walking together, and designated family time throughout the week. Family bonding does not always have to be leisurely. Teaching children to help their siblings with chores or shared responsibilities that must be completed together are great ways for children to bond with their family while learning teamwork and communication skills.

Routines Foster Confidence and Independence

Rather than needing to be told what to do at each step, routines allow children to build confidence and feel independent. This is especially important for your “do-it-myself” toddlers. When children feel that they have some control over what they must do, they are more likely to do it. Not only will creating a routine teach them how and when to execute tasks themselves, but it will help them feel empowered and learn to take pride in doing what they are supposed to do. Cultivating such confidence and independence can make them less likely to rebel or retaliate.

Routines Offer Emotional Stability

Change and stress greatly impact a child’s sense of security. Divorce, moving, a new school or daycare, and even a new sibling can be very stressful changes for children. An established routine provides a sense of normalcy. A child will find stability and calmness through that sense normalcy when things around them are changing and can help teach healthy ways of adapting to change.

Mental Health Counseling

Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?

All children are sad, anxious, irritable, or aggressive at times, and many find it occasionally challenging to sit still, pay attention, or interact with others. In most cases, these are just typical developmental phases. However, such behaviors may also indicate a more serious problem in some children.

What mental disorders can affect children?

Many mental disorders can begin in childhood. Examples include anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression and other mood disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Early treatment can help children manage their symptoms and support their social and emotional well-being. Many adults reflect on how mental disorders affected their childhood and wish they had received help sooner.

What are the signs of mental health conditions in children?

Distinguishing between challenging behaviors and emotions that are a part of normal development and those that may be cause for concern can be hard. Consider seeking help if your child’s behavior or emotions last for weeks or longer, cause distress for your child or your family, or interfere with your child’s functioning at school, at home, or with friends. If your child’s behavior is unsafe, or if your child talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else, seek help immediately.

When might children benefit from an evaluation?

Younger Children

Have frequent tantrums or are irritable much of the time
Often seem fearful or worried
Complain about frequent stomachaches or headaches with no known medical cause
Are in constant motion and cannot sit quietly (except when they are engaged in an activity they enjoy, such as watching videos or playing video games)
Sleep too much or too little, have frequent nightmares, or seem sleepy during the day
Are not interested in playing with other children or have difficulty making friends
Struggle academically or have experienced a recent decline in grades
Repeat actions or check things many times (for example, repeatedly checking to make sure a door is locked) out of fear that something bad may happen

Older Children

Have lost interest in things that they used to enjoy
Have low energy
Sleep too much or too little or seem sleepy throughout the day
Have periods of highly elevated energy and activity and require much less sleep than usual
Spend more and more time alone and avoid social activities with friends or family
Diet or exercise excessively or fear gaining weight
Engage in self-harm behaviors (such as cutting or burning their skin)
Smoke, drink, or use drugs
Engage in risky or destructive behavior alone or with friends
Have thoughts of suicide
Say that they think someone is trying to control their mind or that they hear things that other people cannot hear

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Honoring Trailblazing Leaders

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 12:14:49 GMT

For Hispanic Heritage Month, YWCA of Contra Costa County proudly honors the remarkable contributions of Hispanic leaders who have made a profound impact across various fields.

We celebrate Sylvia Mendez , who at the age of eight played a pivotal role in the 1946 landmark desegregation case Mendez v. Westminster, paving the way for future discussions about integration.

We also highlight Ellen Ochoa , the first Hispanic woman in space. In 1993, she made history aboard the space shuttle Discovery, breaking barriers for women and Hispanics in STEM.

In the fight for LGBTQ rights, Sylvia Rivera , a pioneer for transgender inclusion, was instrumental in challenging the exclusion of transgender people from critical legislation, leaving a lasting legacy in the movement.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, continues to advocate for social and economic justice while representing New York’s 14th congressional district since 2019.

X González , a passionate advocate for gun reform, has inspired change since co-founding Never Again MSD after surviving the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018.

We honor Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice of the United States, whose work on the highest court continues to influence and shape the nation’s legal landscape.

Gloria Anzaldúa , a scholar of Chicana feminism and queer theory, contributed significantly to cultural theory and feminism with her groundbreaking work This Bridge Called My Back, a key text in Third World feminism.

In Mexico, Marta Lamas has tirelessly worked to open public discourse on feminism, gender, and bodily autonomy, advocating for change through her writings and activism.

We also recognize Jovita Idár, a Mexican journalist and suffragist who passionately advocated for women’s rights and Mexican immigrants during the Mexican revolution.

Finally, Helen Rodriguez Trías , the first Latina president of the American Public Health Association, fought to ensure that women of all backgrounds received the medical care they deserved, transforming public health for women and children.

Join us as we celebrate these trailblazers and honor their enduring legacy during Hispanic Heritage Month!

Learn More About the Issues concerning Hispanic Women: yWomen Vote | Spotlight Latinas

YWomenVote2024

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:48:26 GMT

This content is provided for voter and community education only.

WOMEN’S ECONOMIC SECURITY

The issues below are critical to women – particularly women of color’s – economic security. Women hold the overwhelming majority of caregiving responsibilities in the U.S., and that combined with a lack of pay equity means millions of women find it difficult to remain in the workforce or lose jobs because of caretaking necessities.

Child Care

Voters across party lines care deeply about access to quality, affordable #ChildCare and connect that access to having a strong economy. #YWomenVote #GOTV

ffyf.org/2024/05/16/new-polling-on-child-care-and-the-2024-election/

State agencies & legislatures, governors, and the federal government each hold the decision-making power around investments in the #childcare industry. #YWomenVote #TheMoreYouKnow��

Fact: More than 1 in 4 parents have left education or a job because the incredibly high cost of #ChildCare.
Fact: Women provide the vast majority of that care. Just something to keep in mind. #YWomenVote #GOTV

Read more here about the Major survey shows 1 in 4 American parents forced to quit their job

Our YWCA is proud to provide critical #ChildCare services to the community. We are paying close attention to the ways investments and cuts could impact our work in 2025 and beyond, and we hope you are, too. #YWomenVote #GOTV #TheMoreYouKnow��
DYK: Based on federal data, the median salary, $30,370, for #ChildCare workers is less than the median salaries of delivery drivers, retail shopworkers, and pet sitters?

That's just $309 above the OPM #poverty line for a family of three with one child.

#YWomenVote #GOTV

Paid family and medical leave

@BPC_Bipartisan: 82% of registered voters support paid family & medical leave policies to keep workers from the impossible choice between caring for a family member or one's own health or welcoming a new child and a paycheck. #PaidLeave #YWomenVote #GOTV

Bit.ly/3WplfPa

DYK: #PaidLeave is a racial justice issue. Women of color - particularly Black and Hispanic/Latinx women - are much less likely to have access to paid family and medical leave to care for a loved one, themselves, or to welcome a new child. #YWomenVote #GOTV #TheMoreYouKnow��

Sans #PaidFamilyAndMedicalLeave, Black women lose $3.9 billion/yr. in wages when they take time from work to care for their health, provide care, or welcome a child, so many don't or can't take the time they need.

More from @AmericanProgress: bit.ly/46nGXqp

#YWomenVote

Paid sick days

Great: #PaidSickDays access has⬆️for women across the board over the last decade.

Not great: Most low-income workers must still choose between their own or a child's recovery from illness and keeping food on the table. #YWomenVote #GOTV

@IWPResearch: bit.ly/3W7GbJ3

Access to #PaidSickDays is key to racial justice and a critical component to addressing the harmful impacts to women of color cause by the long legacy of occupational segregation.

#YWomenVote #GOTV #TheMoreYouKnow��

Learn more from @NelpNews: bit.ly/4f2iF9b
Many #PaidSickDays policies that have been implemented in cities and states around the nation include #SafeDays, which are critical for survivors of abuse to escape violence and to seek care and treatment. More from @WithoutViolence & @NPWF: bit.ly/4d2cyQf #YWomenVote #GOTV

Pay equity

The #YWomenVote Midterms 2022 survey found that 76% of women voters – across party lines – believe #PayEquity should be a high priority for elected officials. #GOTV

More: YWomenVote.org/past-campaigns (Stay tuned for NEW DATA in September!)

DYK: Women of color must work well into this year - even through November for Native American women ��- to earn the same as a white, non-Hispanic man last year? See all of the #EqualPayDay dates here: equalpaytoday.org

#YWomenVote #GOTV #TheMoreYouKnow��
The already stark #GenderPayGap is further compounded by the #RacialWageGap - meaning that women of color must work much longer into 2024 to earn what a white, non-Hispanic man earned in 2023. Why? Long legacies of deeply entrenched gender and racial discrimination.

#YWomenVote

DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Sexual violence reaches all communities and gender identities. But, compared to other races and ethnicities in the U.S., indigenous women are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of rape.

bit.ly/3Y21fmT

Communities of color, LGBTQ+, and the disabled community experience disproportionate rates of #IntimatePartnerViolence. Entrenched legacies of discrimination are major contributing factors, and the solutions differ between groups. Learn more: Bit.ly/3W04NDE #YWomenVote

#YWomenVote Midterms 2022 national survey found that a staggering 80% of #GenZ women of color shared that investments to combat #GenderBasedViolence were a top priority.

Check it out here and stay tuned for new national survey results in September: bit.ly/3zRSWzY
Supporting the survivor community is central to the work of YWCA - in fact, 78 associations in 34 states provide critical intimate partner and sexual violence support services. We are proud to work alongside this powerful network to continue advocating for survivors. #YWomenVote

RACIAL JUSTICE

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

DYK: The legacy of racial discrimination and research exclusion in medicine (and many more factors) in the U.S., Black women have a⬆️risk of dying from stroke, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers than any other racial or ethnic group. #RacismIsAPublicHealthCrisis #YWomenVote
DYK: The ever-growing stack of undeniable evidence of racial discrimination and disparities in health care led @CDCgov to officially declare racism as a public health threat. #RacismIsAPublicHealthCrisis #TheMoreYouKNnow�� #YWomenVote
Women writ large didn't gain #VotingRights in 1920: Discriminatory state laws kept women of color, including Indigenous, Chinese, and Black women, disenfranchised until #VRA1965 (and some remain disenfranchised to this day).

Bit.ly/3WkK9iV #TheMoreYouKnow��#YWomenVote
New #YWomenVote national survey data is coming this September! In the Midterms 2022 findings. #GenZ women of color named safety from police violence and racial violence as top concerns - we wonder what the new data will reveal. #GOTV

bit.ly/3zRSWzY

VOTER REGISTRATION & EARLY VOTING

In California, voters can register on Election Day and in many more states, deadlines can be anywhere between a month to two weeks ahead of November 5.

Here is where you can register to vote or learn more about voter registration in the State of California.

Celebrating LGBT+ Leaders for Pride Month

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 03:16:50 GMT

In celebration of Pride Month, YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento is proud to honor and highlight the remarkable contributions of several LGBT+ leaders who have made significant impacts in their respective fields. These individuals exemplify courage, innovation, and dedication to the fight for equality and inclusion. Join us as we recognize and celebrate their extraordinary achievements and the enduring spirit of Pride Month.

Sue Sanders

In celebration of Pride Month, YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento is proud to highlight the incredible contributions of Sue Sanders. For over forty years, this British LGBT rights activist has specialized in challenging oppression in the public and voluntary sectors. She created The Classroom, which provides lesson plans that ‘usualise’ diverse LGBT people for all ages across the curriculum.

Janet Mock

Meet Janet Mock, a passionate advocate for transgender rights, as well as a talented writer and media producer. Janet Mock made history as the very first openly transgender woman of color to pen a television episode and land a significant studio contract with her acclaimed series "Pose."

Pragati Singh

We are proud to honor Pragati Singh, an Indian medical doctor and public health official and activist. Pragati identifies as grey asexual and is known for her research and work in the Indian asexual community.

Tammy Baldwin

Tammy Baldwin made history as the first openly gay individual elected to both houses of Congress. Since 2013, she has represented Wisconsin as its junior Senator and has been a dedicated champion for LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare accessibility, and student debt relief.

Kim Coco Iwamoto

We honor Kim Coco Iwamoto, a Hawaiian politician. Her election as a trans woman in 2006 made her, at that time, the highest-ranking openly transgender elected official in the U.S. and the first openly transgender official to win statewide office in Hawaii.

Angela Davis

Angela Davis is known internationally for her work to confront all forms of oppression in the U.S. and abroad. As a second-wave Black Feminist, Davis has consistently worked to dismantle oppression faced by the Black community, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Yasmin Benoit

This Pride Month, we are celebrating women advocating for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community! Yasmin Benoit is an alternative fashion model, an Asexual and Aromantic activist from the United Kingdom, and the creator of the #ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike movement.

Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim

Lastly, we honor Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim, a Nigerian film producer, screenwriter, and filmmaker. She creates stories of Nigeria's marginalized LGBTQ+ communities and works to give voice to Nigeria's LGBTQ+ community through her film production company, Hashtag Media House.

Join us in celebrating these extraordinary leaders who embody the spirit of Pride Month and the ongoing fight for equality and inclusion.

Women's History Month 2024

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 20:01:08 GMT

Women’s financial empowerment is essential to the work we do at YWCA, ensuring women — especially women of color — are empowered to pursue their dreams and be financially independent. During #WomensHistoryMonth, learn about our empowerment programming: https://www.ywca.org/empowerment-economic-advancement

Bodily Autonomy - Jazmine Wildcat

Women's History Month honors the world-changing women of the past who inspire the girls who lead today — girls such as Jazmine Wildcat! She is an advocate and new voice in the fight to end violence against Native women and for those across Native American communities . Jazmine was only 10 years old when she led a rally in which she advocated for the passage of the Violence Against Women Act.

Bodily Autonomy - Sylvia Rivera

Women's History Month celebrates the experiences of all women. Today, we're proud to uplift transgender activist Sylvia Rivera, who fought against the exclusion of transgender people from the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act in New York. The final bill passed in 2002 and prevents discrimination “on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, and the exercise of civil rights.”

Women's Financial Empowerment/Caregiving - Maggie L. Walker

Women's Financial Empowerment/Caregiving - Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta is an American labor leader and civil rights activist who champions immigrants’ rights, women's rights, and economic justice. Read how she became one of the most influential activists of the 20th century: bit.ly/3Td7od5

Women's Financial Empowerment/Caregiving - Rosalynn Carter

Rosalynn Carter was an advocate for women's rights & humanitarian who championed causes such as mental health & caregiving, intersecting the 2 into the creation of @RCICaregiving. During #WHM2024, read more about her mental health & caregiving legacy: bit.ly/48zikGD

Black History Month 2024 Empowering Communities, Advancing Justice

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 05:24:48 GMT

YWCA has worked toward Racial Justice since the 1800s, and today, we remain committed to our intersectional mission to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women. During Black History Month, learn more about our racial justice programming: bit.ly/48Tg79W

Bodily Autonomy

Bodily autonomy is one of the most fundamental rights we have as human beings & is foundational to Gender Equality and Racial Justice. YWCA’s work to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women has long included our passionate advocacy for bodily autonomy: bit.ly/483UnHi

Black women have always been at the forefront of change in America. Sojourner Truth’s powerful speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” reminds us that the struggle for Gender Equality and bodily autonomy are not subjects of new age thinking. During Black History Month 2024, we proudly highlight the work of the exceptional Black women who paved the way forward.

Women’s Financial Empowerment/Caregiving

Women’s financial empowerment is essential to the work we do at YWCA, ensuring women — especially women of color — are empowered to pursue their dreams and be financially independent. During #BlackHistoryMonth, learn about our empowerment programming: bit.ly/3vPTQLo

Transportation

Transportation inequality, and the effects it had on the Black community, gave cause to both the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 and the creation of The Freedom Riders — both powerful demonstrations resulting in SCOTUS ruling segregation on public buses unconstitutional. Black History Month 2024, we celebrate the work carried out by those before us.

Native American History Month

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:55:59 GMT

This month is for celebrating the achievements of Native American /Alaska Natives and uplifting their needs. This year, we highlight the pervasiveness of #GBV among Indigenous women and girls and YWCA ’s work to support survivors.

Gender-Based Violence

Indigenous women and girls experience Gender-Based Violence at higher rates than any other racial or ethnic group. We celebrate the work our sisters at YWCA Billings do in their community. Watch the video to learn more

Land Acknowledgement

Today we celebrate Native American Heritage Month 2023 by acknowledging that the land on which we live and operate is the sacred land of our Indigenous peers:

Contra Costa County Land Acknowledgement

Sacramento Land Acknowledgement

History of Friendship Between YWCA and Native Americans

2023-2024 Pre-school Enrollment

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 18:41:08 GMT

Mark your calendars!

The YWCA pre-schools will open in August—below are the opening dates for each center:

FREEDOM: 1050 Neroly Road, Oakley (Part-Day Preschool Opens Monday, 8/07/2023)

MARY ROCHA: 931 Cavallo Road, Antioch (Part-Day Preschool Opens Monday, 8/14/2023)

DELTA: 605 Pacifica Avenue, Bay Point (Part-Day Preschool Opens Monday, 8/21/2023)

How to Enroll? Complete our Enrollment Form here

NOTE: the Full-Day Program Enrollment is Ongoing

The June of 1968 Edition of the YWCA Magazine: Special Issue on Racism

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 17:59:32 GMT

I am thrilled to re-release our YWCA Magazine Special Issue on Racism, originally published in June of 1968! We regularly peruse the YWCA Archives, and I will admit to being slightly obsessed. But when we poured through decades of YWCA Magazine in the archives now housed physically at Smith College and accessible to all now digitally, I knew instantly I wanted to share this edition with you — so you could see yourself in the reflection and be inspired.

Margaret Mitchell, CEO, YWCA USA

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Fri, 26 May 2023 00:15:17 GMT

It’s AAPI Heritage Month 2023! We celebrate past and present Asian American and Pacific Islander YWCA Leaders and showcase their amazing work locally, nationally, and internationally.

As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month 2023, we're reminded that sometimes with great intentions come unintended consequences. In our latest blog post, we celebrate YWCA Leaders who came before us while acknowledging and learning from our history

During AAPI Heritage Month 2023, we're exploring our YWCA legacy of advocating for AAPI communities and celebrating incredible YWCA Leaders while acknowledging the times that we missed the mark in helping those we served. Read the latest blog from YWCA USA bit.ly/3VozDoM #AAPIHM2023 and learn about some of the YWCA leaders highlighted this month below.

For the past 20 years, Eun Kyung Kim has focused on advocacy, management, and fundraising in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and she is the first AAPI Executive Director of YWCA Queens. We are proud to celebrate her many achievements within the YWCA movement and beyond it in the myriad ways she supports her community. Learn more about her and her amazing work: bit.ly/3ViY3jB

After she and her family were sent to a Japanese internment camp during WWII, Joy Hashimoto became active in the YWCA movement after her mother helped establish YWCAs in the camps. Learn more: bit.ly/3VozDoM

Lillian Kimura was 13 during WWII when she and her family were incarcerated at the Manzanar WRA Center in California. Influenced by her experience with YWCA—which served to educate Japanese American women and girls interned at the camp—she later joined the YWCA movement at the local and national levels. During #AAPIHeritageMonth2023, read more about her inspiring legacy: legcy.co/3LpuOXC

Former Interim CEO of YWCA USA and current Interim Chief Strategy Officer for the YWCA National Board, Gloria Lau’s involvement with YWCA is deep and profound, and her experience as a #YWCALeader has been extensive and varied at both the local and national levels. Today, we are proud to celebrate her and her far-reaching impact on the YWCA movement

A #YWCALeader at the local, national, and international levels, Gloria Chun Hoo served on the boards of @YWBoston, @YourYwca, and YWCA USA, and she is currently on the executive committee for the YWCA World Service Council. During #AAPIHeritageMonth2023, we celebrate her long-standing involvement in the YWCA movement : bit.ly/44fEVqL

Women's History Month - YWCA Leaders!

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 17:18:40 GMT

During #WomensHistoryMonth, we are proudly uplifting our history of advancing justice for all women and uplifting the sheroes past and present at the forefront of that work. From Maria Chavez Wilcox, the first Latina CEO of @YWCAworks, to Eun Kyung Kim, the first AAPI Executive Director of @YWCAQueens, to Magdalena Verdugo, the first Latina CEO of @YWCASouthernAZ, we celebrate all #EmpoweredWomen breaking barriers across the YWCA network Learn more about our legacy of justice: bit.ly/3YkxESr #WHM2023

JOY HASHIMOTO

“My parents taught me how to work for change.” - Joy Hashimoto

After she and her family were sent to the Amache Japanese-American Internment Camp in Colorado during WWII, Joy Hashimoto became active in the YWCA movement after her mother helped to establish YWCAs in different internment camps to help women and girls in the camps: bit.ly/3SHd9he Later, she herself became an active #YWCAleader. Today, we are proud to celebrate Joy's decades of service and legacy of advancing justice. bit.ly/3Ye4Vi7. #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM2023

DEANNA ESPINA

Today, we are celebrating the leadership of Deanna Espina, one of the first Native American women elected to the National Board of YWCA USA. She was inaugurated in 1993 and represented YWCA as a member of the Yakama Nation. #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM2023

MINNIE RIDDICK

Today, we are celebrating the leadership of Mrs. Minnie Riddick, the first Black woman to serve as Executive Director at @YWCACharlotte. We remember her courageous work and legacy for YWCA. Learn more about her story here legcy.co/3lylTd9 #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM2023

For more than 160 years, YWCA has proudly given voice to sheroes and changemakers, including suffragettes, advocates for working women ; and early supporters of women in finance, whose voices and much-needed advocacy paved the way toward building a more equitable world for all women . Read @YWCAUSA’s latest blog post to learn more about their efforts and how we continue to build on our legacy of justice: bit.ly/3YkxESr #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM2023

MADIE HALL XUMA

From her roles at YWCAs in Winston-Salem, NC, and in South Africa, followed later by joining the World YWCA Executive Committee, Madie Hall Xuma spent her extraordinary life immersed in global Black women's activism. On #InternationalWomensDay, we are proud to celebrate this incredible #YWCAleader and her legacy of justice. Learn more about her: bit.ly/3IIqJfY #IWD2023 #WHM2023 #WomensHistoryMonth

CASEY HARDEN

On #InternationalWomensDay, we are celebrating Casey Harden, General Secretary of World YWCA . Learn how Casey has been a champion for women and girls through her service to YWCA at the local, national, and international level: bit.ly/3IrUuTc #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM2023 #IWD2023

Over the last 160 years, YWCA has evolved to meet the moment, building upon our rich history of advocating on behalf of all women. Read @YWCAUSA's latest blog post to learn about the changemakers past and present at the forefront of that work. bit.ly/3YkxESr #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM2023

Women's History Month - Our Legacy of Justice

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 15:57:10 GMT

An article from YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento and YWCA USA on celebrating Women's History Month - A Legacy of Justice and the role YWCA has played in a Legacy of Justice.

Black History Month

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 04:21:01 GMT

It’s #BlackHistoryMonth! �� #DYK: YWCA was one of the 1st national organizations to desegregate — but the process wasn’t easy. Read @YWCAUSA’s latest blog post detailing our journey to becoming a more inclusive organization: bit.ly/3jpDTpC #BHM2023

YWCA 's history of striving for #RacialJustice includes the legacies of inspiring heroes — and our own reckoning with racial inequity. Learn about the series of events that solidified our mission to

#EliminateRacism and #EmpowerWomen: bit.ly/3jpDTpC @YWCAUSA #BHM2023

Anniversary Day

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 17:31:21 GMT

On what would have been the 50th anniversary of #RoevWade, more than half of all women are greatly concerned about access to repro health services, including abortion care. #AbortionisEssential #BiggerThanRoe ywomenvote.org

#YWomenVote found that WOC bear the brunt of worries about access to abortion care in a post-Roe world:

✔️54% of Latinas

✔️56% of Native women

✔️59% of Black women

✔️62% of Asian women

Access to abortion is a #RacialJustice issue. #AbortionJustice ywomenvote.org

According to #YWomenVote, young women of color are particularly worried about their futures in a post-Roe world. They are facing a loss of freedom not seen in decades. #BiggerThanRoe #AbortionJustice ywomenvote.org

From our #YWomenVote data: 59% of Millennial and 71% of #GenZ women of color are worried, and nearly half of GenZ women of color are very worried, about access to abortion care in their communities. #BiggerThanRoe #AbortionJustice ywomenvote.org

Access to #abortion care is a #DisabilityJustice issue: 54% of disabled women are worried about access to abortion care in a post-Roe world & 66% want Congress to protect abortion access. #YWomenVote #AbortionJustice #BiggerThanRoe ywomenvote.org

Nearly 70% of LGBTQ women are worried about accessing abortion care following the Dobbs decision, and 80% want Congress to act to protect abortion access. #YWomenVote #AbortionJustice #BiggerThanRoe ywomenvote.org

A majority of women (63%) support Congress taking action to protect access to abortion care; 39% say it’s one of the most important things Congress can do. #YWomenVote #AbortionIsEssential #BiggerThanRoe ywomenvote.org

✔️57% of GenX

✔️61% of Boomers

✔️64% of Millennials

✔️80% of GenZ

believe protecting access to abortion is an important—or is one of the most important—things Congress can do. #YWomenVote #AbortionIsEssential #BiggerThanRoe ywomenvote.org

According to #YWomenVote, women of color strongly believe Congress should protect abortion access:

✔️ 62% of white women

✔️74% of Native women

✔️66% of Black women

✔️58% of AAPI women

✔️64% of Hispanic women

Learn more at ywomenvote.org #AbortionJustice

Young women of color think it’s even more important for Congress to act to protect abortion access. 86% of Millennial and 81% of GenZ women of color believe Congress should protect abortion access. #BiggerThanRoe #AbortionisEssential ywomenvote.org

The Rising Tide of Racial Consciousness

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 18:24:25 GMT

We are proud to rerelease “ The Rising Tide of Racial Consciousness ” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr ., originally published in the December 1960 issue of YWCA Magazine. The eloquence and booming veracity in his written words jump off the pages with the same strength he demonstrated in public, and they reverberate just as powerfully today: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Therefore, no American can afford to be apathetic about the problem of racial justice.”

The Rising Tide of Racial Consciousness

by Martin Luther King, Jr.

From YWCA Magazine 1960 - Abridged from an address at the Golden Anniversary Conference of the National Urban League

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS that have led to this new sense of dignity and self-respect on the part of the Negro? First, we must mention the population shift from rural to urban life. For many years the vast majority of Negroes were isolated on the rural plantation. They had very little contact with the world outside their geographical boundaries. But gradually circumstances made it possible and necessary for them to migrate to new and larger centers-the spread of the automobile, the great depression, and the social upheavals of the two world wars. These new contacts led to a broadened outlook. These new levels of communication brought new and different attitudes.

A second factor that has caused the Negroes' new self-consciousness has been rapid educational advance.

Over the years there has been a steady decline of crippling illiteracy. At emancipation only 5 percent of

the Negroes were literate; today more than 95 percent are literate. Constant streams of Negro students are finishing colleges and universities every year. More than 1,600 Negroes have received the highest academic degree bestowed by an American university. These educational advances have naturally broadened his thinking. They have given the Negro not only a larger view of the world, but also a larger view of himself.

A third factor that produced the new sense of pride in the Negro was the gradual improvement of his economic status. While the Negro is still the victim of tragic economic exploitation, significant strides have been made. The annual collective income of the Negro is now approximately $18 billion, which is more than the national income of Canada and all of the exports of the U.S.A. This augmented purchasing power has been reflected in more adequate housing, improved medical care, and greater educational opportunities. As these changes have taken place they have driven the Negro to change his image of himself.

A fourth factor that brought about the new sense of pride in the Negro was the Supreme Court's decision outlawing segregation in the public schools. For all men of good will May 17, 19 54, came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of enforced segregation. In simple, eloquent, and unequivocal language the court affirmed that "separate but equal" facilities are inherently unequal and that to segregate a child on the basis of his race is to deny that child equal protection of the law. This decision brought hope to millions of disinherited Negroes who had formerly dared only to dream of freedom. Like an exit sign that suddenly appeared to one who had walked through a long and desolate corridor, this decision came as a way out of the darkness of segregation. It served to transform the fatigue of despair into the buoyancy of hope. It further enhanced the Negro's sense of dignity.

A fifth factor that has accounted for the new sense of dignity on the part of the Negro has been the awareness that his struggle for freedom is a part of a worldwide struggle. He has watched developments in Asia and Africa with rapt attention. On these vast prodigious continents dwell two-thirds of the world's people. For years they were exploited economically, dominated politically, segregated and humiliated by foreign powers. Thirty years ago there were only three independent countries in the whole of Africa-Liberia, Ethiopia, and South Africa. By 1962, there may be as many as 30 independent nations in Africa. These rapid changes have naturally influenced the thinking of the American Negro. He knows that his struggle for human dignity is not an isolated event. It is a drama being played on the stage of the world with spectators and supporters from every continent.

Determination and Resistance

This growing self respect has inspired the Negro with a new determination to struggle and sacrifice until first class citizenship becomes a reality. This is at bottom the meaning of what is happening in the South today. Whether it is manifested in nine brave children of Little Rock walking through jeering and hostile mobs, or 50,000 people of Montgomery, Alabama, substituting tired feet for tired souls and walking the streets of that city for 381 days, or thousands of courageous students electrifying the nation by quietly and nonviolently sitting at lunch counters that have been closed to them because of the color of their skin, the motivation is always the same-the Negro would rather suffer in dignity than accept segregation in humiliation.

This new determination on the part of the Negro has not been welcomed by some segments of the nation's population. In some instances it has collided with tenacious and determined resistance. This resistance has risen at times to ominous proportions. A few states have reacted in open defiance. The legislative halls of the South ring loud with such words as "interposition" and "nullification." Many public officials are going to the absurd and fanatical extreme of closing the schools rather than to comply with the law of the land. This resistance to the Negroes' aspirations expresses itself in the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan and the birth of White Citizens Councils.

The resistance to the Negroes' aspirations expresses itself not only in obvious method of defiance, but in the subtle and skillful method of truth distortion. In an attempt to influence the minds of northern and southern liberals, the segregationists will cleverly disseminate half-truths. Instead of arguing for the validity of segregation and racial inferiority on the basis of the Bible, they set their arguments on cultural and sociological grounds. The Negro is not ready for integration, they say; because of academic and cultural lags on the part of the Negro, the integration of schools will pull the white race down. They are never honest enough to admit that the academic and cultural lags in the Negro community are themselves the result of segregation and discrimination. The best way to solve any problem is to remove the cause. It is both rationally unsound and sociologically untenable to use the tragic effects of segregation as an argument for its continuation.

The great challenge facing the nation today is to solve this pressing problem and bring into full realization the ideals and dreams of our democracy. How we deal with this crucial situation will determine our political health as a nation and our prestige as a leader of the free world. The price that America must pay for the continued oppression of the Negro is the price of its own destruction. The hour is late; the clock of destiny is ticking out. We must act now! It is a trite yet urgently true observation that if America is to remain a first-class nation, it cannot have second-class citizens.

Our primary reason for bringing an end to racial discrimination in America must not be the communist challenge. Nor must it be merely to appeal to Asian and African peoples. The primary reason for our uprooting racial discrimination from our society is that it is morally wrong. It is a cancerous disease that prevents us from realizing the sublime principles of our Judeo-Christian tradition. Racial discrimination substitutes an "I-it" relationship for the "I-thou" relationship. It relegates persons to the status of things. Whenever racial discrimination exists it is a tragic expression of man's spiritual degeneracy and moral bankruptcy. Therefore, it must be removed not merely because it is diplomatically expedient, but because it is morally compelling.

A National Problem

The racial issue that we confront in America is not a sectional but a national problem. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Therefore, no American can afford to be apathetic about the problem of racial justice. It is a problem that meets every man at his front door.

There is need for strong and aggressive leadership from the federal government. There is a pressing need for a liberalism in the North that is truly liberal, that firmly believes in integration in its own community as well as in the deep South. There is need for the type of liberal who not only rises up with righteous indignation when a Negro is lynched in Mississippi, but will be equally incensed when a Negro is denied the right to live in his neighborhood, or join his professional association, or secure a top position in his business. This is no day to pay mere lip service to integration; we must pay life service to it.

There are several other agencies and groups that have significant roles to play in this all-important period of our nation's history; the problem of racial injustice is so weighty in detail and broad in extent that it requires the concerted efforts of numerous individuals and institutions to bring about a solution.

The Primary Responsibility

In the final analysis if first-class citizenship is to become a reality for the Negro he must assume the primary responsibility for making it so. The Negro must not be victimized with the delusion of thinking that others should be more concerned than himself about his citizenship rights.

In this period of social change the Negro must work on two fronts. On the one hand we must continue to break down the barrier of segregation. We must resist all forms of racial injustice. This resistance must always be on the highest level of dignity and discipline. It must never degenerate to the crippling level of violence . There is another way-a way as old as the insights of Jesus of Nazareth and as modem as the methods of Mahatma Gandhi. It is a way not for the weak and cowardly but for the strong and courageous. It has been variously called passive resistance, nonviolent resistance, or simply Christian love. It is my great hope that, as the Negro plunges deeper into the quest for freedom, he will plunge deeper into the philosophy of nonviolence. As a race we must work passionately and unrelentingly for first-class citizenship, but we must never use second-class methods to gain it. Our aim must be not to defeat or humiliate the white man, but to win his friendship and understanding. We must never become bitter nor should we succumb to the temptation of using violence in the struggle, for if this happens, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness and our chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.

I feel that this way of nonviolence is vital because it is the only way to re-establish the broken community. It is the method which seeks to implement the just law by appealing to the conscience of the great decent majority who through blindness, fear, pride, or irrationality have allowed their consciences to sleep.

The nonviolent resistors can summarize their message in the following simple terms: we will take direct action against injustice without waiting for other agencies to act. We will not obey unjust laws or submit to unjust practices. We will do this peacefully, openly, and cheerfully because our aim is to persuade. We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself. We will try to persuade with our words, but, if our words fail, we will try to persuade with our acts. We will always be willing to talk and seek fair compromise, but we are ready to suffer when necessary and even risk our lives to become witnesses to the truth as we see it.

I realize that this approach will mean suffering and sacrifice. It may mean going to jail. If such is the case the resistor must be willing to fill the jail houses of the South. It may even mean physical death. But if physical death is the price that a man must pay to free his children and his white brethren from a permanent death of the spirit, then nothing could be more redemptive. This is the type of soul force that I am convinced will triumph over the physical force of the oppressor.

This approach to the problem of oppression is not without successful precedent. We have the magnificent example of Gandhi who challenged the might of the British Empire and won independence for his people by using only the weapons of truth, noninjury, courage, and soul force. Today we have the example of thousands of Negro students in the South who have courageously challenged the principalities of segregation. These young students have taken the deep groans and the passionate yearnings of the Negro people and filtered them in their own souls and fashioned them in a creative protest which is an epic known all over our nation. For the last few months they have moved in a uniquely meaningful orbit imparting light and heat to distant satellites. Through_ their nonviolent direct action they have been able to open hundreds of formerly segregated lunch counters in almost 80 cities. It is no overstatement to characterize these events as historic. Never before in the U.S.A. has so large a body of students spread a struggle over so great an area in pursuit of a goal of human dignity and freedom. I am convinced that future historians will have to record this student movement as one of the greatest epics of our heritage.

Let me mention another front on which we must work that is equally significant. The Negro must make a vigorous effort to improve his personal standards. The only answer that we can give to those who through blindness and fear would question our readiness and capability is that our lagging standards exist because of the legacy of slavery and segregation, inferior schools, slums, and second-class citizenship, and not because of an inherent inferiority. The fact that so many Negroes have made lasting and significant contributions to the cultural life of America in spite of these crippling restrictions is sufficient to refute all of the myths and half-truths disseminated by the segregationist.

Yet we cannot ignore the fact that our standards do often fall short. One of the sure signs of maturity is the ability to rise to the point of self-criticism. We have been affected by our years of economic deprivation and social isolation. Some Negroes have become cynical and disillusioned. Some have so conditioned themselves to the system of segregation that they have lost that creative something called initiative. So many have used their oppression as an excuse for mediocrity. Many of us live above our means, spend money on nonessentials and frivolities, and fail to give to serious causes, organizations, and educational institutions that so desperately need funds. Our crime rate is far too high.

Constructive Action

Therefore there is a pressing need for the Negro to develop a positive program through which these standards can be improved. After we have analyzed the sociological and psychological causes of these problems, we must seek to develop a constructive action program to solve them. We must constantly stimulate our youth to rise above the stagnant level of mediocrity and seek to achieve excellence in their various fields of endeavor. Doors are opening now that were not open in the past, and the great challenge facing minority groups is to be ready to enter these doors as they open. No greater tragedy could befall us at this hour but that of allowing new opportunities to emerge without the concomitant preparedness to meet them.

We must make it clear to our young people that this is an age in which they will be forced to compete with people of all races and nationalities. We cannot aim merely to be good Negro teachers, good Negro doctors, or good Negro skilled laborers. We must set out to do a good job irrespective of race. We must seek to do our life's work so well that nobody could do it better. The Negro who seeks to be merely a good Negro, whatever he is, has already flunked his matriculation examination for entrance into the university of integration.

This then must be our present program: nonviolent resistance to all forms of racial injustice, even when this means going to jail; and bold, constructive action to end the demoralization caused by the legacy of slavery and segregation. The nonviolent struggle, if conducted with the dignity and courage already shown by the sit-in students of the South, will in itself help end the demoralization; but a new frontal assault on the poverty, disease, and ignorance of a people too long deprived of the God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness will make the victory more certain.

We must work assiduously and with determined boldness to remove from the body politic this cancerous disease of discrimination which is preventing our democratic and Christian health from being realized. Then and only then will we be able to bring into full realization the dream of our American democracy-a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land where men do not argue that the color of a man's skin determines the content of his character; a dream of a place where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dreai:n of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of all human personality, and men will dare to live together as brothers-that is the dream. Whenever it is fulfilled we will emerge from the bleak and desolate midnight of man's inhumanity to man into the bright and glowing daybreak of freedom and justice for all of God's children.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 18:05:04 GMT

Dr. Dorothy Height (YWCA USA’s very first Director of Racial Justice) in attendance at the March on Washington representing YWCA and leading change as the only woman leader on the platform as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I have a Dream" Speech, August 28, 1963.

Photo Credit: Associated Press

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is just around the corner, and it presents such an important opportunity to reflect on America’s history and the struggle for racial justice as well as to assess where we are as a society and as an organization dedicated to ensuring justice and equity for all. One of my goals for this year is to dive more into our YWCA history to uplift it and to learn from it — the successes we’ve had as well as the times that we’ve missed the mark — so that we can continue striving toward justice in our communities. Recently, the YWCA USA team was thrilled to discover, in YWCA’s Smith College archives, an article written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself in the December 1960 edition of the YWCA Magazine. Entitled “ The Rising Tide of Racial Consciousness ”, his piece was adapted from an address he gave at a convening of the National Urban League at the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

The eloquence and booming veracity of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s written words jump off the pages with the same strength he demonstrated in public, and they reverberate just as powerfully today: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Therefore, no American can afford to be apathetic about the problem of racial justice.” That is why, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are proudly rereleasing Dr. King’s December 1960 article as we celebrate the critical role of Dr. King and other changemakers in the movement for racial justice.

I would be remiss to not also take a moment to recognize the work and leadership of Dr. Dorothy Height, YWCA USA’s very first Director of Racial Justice. The powerful image above is a reminder of Dr. Height’s leadership, the critical role she played at the intersection of race and gender, and that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. regarded the National Urban League and YWCA USA as critical partners in the movement for racial justice. This is our history, and it makes me proud that YWCA USA shared in such a powerful partnership and that we are continuing to carry on the legacy of racial justice. In the words of Dr. Height: "If the times aren't ripe, you have to ripen the times. We have to realize we are building a movement."

Week Without Violence Event Replay

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 19:09:50 GMT

If you did not have a chance to attend the Week Without Violence event in October 2022, here is a replay of this video.

Supreme Court decisions, state legislations, and a rising wave of hate and violence have created a chilling landscape for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. From gun violence and mass shootings to reproductive health restrictions, from anti-LGBTQ+ laws and policies to police violence, some of our nation’s most contentious issues directly impact the safety and well-being of survivors in unique and especially harmful ways. Too often, however, these impacts are unknown, overlooked, or actively ignored—leaving many survivors unsupported in their efforts to find safety, healing, and pathways forward, free from further violence.

This virtual town hall will highlight how today’s issues and headlines are impacting victims and survivors of gender-based violence and help ensure that the voices and needs of all survivors are addressed.

Join YWCA USA and our network of more than 200 Local Associations in 45 states and D.C. to learn why centering survivors in our discussions about these highly divisive issues and in our GOTV efforts is crucial to bridging divides and building support among voters, candidates, and policymakers for the services and solutions survivors need to build safe and thriving futures.

We Are Looking for Teachers!

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 17:44:44 GMT

YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento has openings for Head Teachers and Associate Teachers based out of the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you are interested, please review the job description below and complete a Pre-Employment Interest Form

YWCA Federal Legislative Priorities

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 17:35:42 GMT

ADVOCACY AGENDA

Informed by our 160-year history and by the expertise of our nationwide network, YWCA is carrying on its long tradition of social action and advocacy to advance our mission. Since our inception, YWCA ’s nearly 200 local associations in 45 states and the District of Columbia have been on the frontlines of more than 1,200 communities providing child care, safety from gender-based violence, housing and other programs and services to as many as 2 million women, girls and families in a typical year. Today, with our mission and communities in mind, YWCA advocates at the federal, state, and local levels for practical solutions that meet the needs of women, girls, and marginalized communities that bring us closer to eliminating racism, empowering women, and ensuring peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Your voice is a crucial part of this work.

Take action with us and become a YWCA Advocate as we continue advance our intersectional mission. Sign up for the YWCA Action Center today .

Federal Legislative Priorities: 118th Congress

In this moment of ongoing economic uncertainty and compounding social challenges facing our nation, YWCA is driving an inclusive agenda to address the underlying gender equity and racial justice tensions that are deeply embedded in our nation.

We are calling on members of Congress to act on the following health, economic, safety, and racial justice priority areas:

YWomen Vote Midterms 2022 - Spotlight on Asian American and Pacific Islander Women

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 16:05:53 GMT

It’s #AAPIHM , a time of celebrating and uplifting the AAPI community ! AAPI voters accounted for the largest increase in voter turnout in 2020 — jumping from 56% in 2016 to 64% — and are considered to be the fastest growing voting constituency in the nation. Here are the top priorities and concerns of AAPI women heading into the 2022 election cycle: #YWomenVote #AAPIHeritageMonth

YWomen Vote 2022 - Midterm Elections - Spotlight on Hispanic Women and Latinas

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:58:13 GMT

Hispanic women share core concerns with all women across a range of issues, but at higher levels of intensity — especially their concerns related to housing, equal pay, and paid sick leave. Learn more: #YWomenVote #HispanicHeritageMonth #HHM2022

YWomen Vote 2022 - Spotlight on Black Women

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 14:39:29 GMT

According to #YWomenVote , 84% of Black women said strengthening #EqualPay laws are the most important or very important thing Congress should do.

As we head into #Midterms2022 , do your candidates know what your community values? ywomenvote.org #BlackWomensEqualPay

YWomen Vote 2022 - Spotlight on Native American Women

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:51:31 GMT

According to YWomenVote , the top concerns for American Indian & Native Alaskan women ahead of the #2022Elections are:

1️⃣ Making ends meet
2️⃣ Rise in white nationalism
3️⃣ Police violence

The Unsung Legacy of Black Feminism: From Jane Crow to Intersectionality

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 00:05:30 GMT

At YWCA, our mission is inspired by the perspectives of Black feminists who have consistently transformed the fights for gender equity and racial justice. During Black Herstory Month, we’re celebrating Black feminism and centering the work of powerful Black sheroes past and present doing the critical work to eliminate racism and empower women. As leaders in the women’s empowerment and racial justice movement, it is our duty to uplift and center the Black feminist voices that have been the backbone of feminist and civil rights movements. Therefore, we are proud to uplift the unsung legacy of Black feminism, from Jane Crow to intersectionality.

Over the last century, Black feminists like Pauli Murray and Kimberlé Crenshaw have created terminology and tools that have helped many of us to work towards collective liberation. It was in 1947 at Howard University that civil rights advocate, lawyer, and ordained priest Pauli Murray coined the term “Jane Crow”. Pauli Murray’s articulation of Jane Crow alluded to the system of Jim Crow, which often focused on the experience of Black men. Additionally, this term informed her critiques of the male-dominated civil rights movement, arguing that women should be foregrounded within the movement because racial and gender-based oppressions combine to circumscribe Black women’s freedom and must be battled in tandem to ensure ALL Black people are treated equitably.

More recently, pioneering civil rights advocate, professor, and leading critical race theory scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw built upon Murray’s legacy when she coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989. In her own words, Crenshaw described intersectionality as “a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects. It’s not simply that there’s a race problem here, a gender problem here, and a class or LGBTQ problem there. Many times, that framework erases what happens to people who are subject to all of these things.” Crenshaw’s work was derived from her experience as a Black woman, however, intersectionality can be applied to the analysis of power and privilege across the spectrum by helping us understand how individuals who experience compounding inequalities are the most equipped to lead all of us in the fight for equity and collective liberation.

Throughout the years, many women have contributed to the unsung legacy of Black feminism through their work, building upon their fore sisters and ensuring the wisdom of Black women is heard. Some of these empowered women include:

Dorothy Height: The godmother of the civil rights movement, leader of the National Congress of Negro Women for over 30 years, and former Director of YWCA Harlem who advanced YWCA’s One Imperative, which fuels our intersectional mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Dr. Height consistently pushed movements to be more inclusive by centering Black women in her activism.
Alice Walker: An award-winning novelist, poet, and social activist who coined the term “womanism” in response to how Black women are treated in feminist spaces to ensure they had space to center their own experiences, priorities, and concerns in the movement.
Roxanne Gay: A New York Times best-selling author, professor, and social commentator whose essay collection “Bad Feminist” challenges us all to humanize the flaws within feminist and social justice movements while inspiring us to be better allies and co-conspirators.

All during #BlackHerstoryMonth, we will continue our work of empowering women and eliminating racism by uplifting these and many other incredible Black feminists whose work inspires, informs, and guides so many advocates for equity and justice .

We are thankful for the work of these powerful thought leaders, which has been monumental in how feminism has evolved to become more inclusive. Black feminists like Pauli Murray, Kimberlé Crenshaw, and Dorothy Height have been and continue to be at the forefront of how we all think, strategize, and co-conspire to address interconnected systems of inequality. Their contributions, in addition to many others, consistently push us all to examine our intersecting privileges and challenge social justice movements to be more inclusive. Through their work, Black feminists invite us all to work together with respect to our differences to build a better world where injustice is rooted out for everyone. We are forever grateful for their calls to action which bring attention to the intersection of race and gender and informs YWCAs across the country doing the work to eliminate racism, empower women, and create a world of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Join us as we continue to uplift the lives, experiences, and contributions of Black feminists throughout the month of February by following us on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . You can also join the conversation using #BlackHerstoryMonth, #BHM2022, and #EmpoweredWomen to highlight the unsung legacy of Black feminists in your community

Register for the YWCA 2022 Stand Against Racism Challenge

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 18:27:53 GMT

We are excited to announce that registration for the 2022 Stand Against Racism Challenge

is NOW LIVE!

Register now by visiting the Stand Against Racism homepage to gain access the "Join the Challenge" registration tool! Once you have selected your applicable region (Select west) or local YWCA using the drop-down menu, you will be routed directly to the appropriate registration page to sign up for this year's challenge.

Launching April 4, the 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. Participants will have the opportunity to log on to the challenge via phone app or by visiting the challenge website and are presented with challenges such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experience, and more! This year’s theme merges five focus areas which will guide and inform our racial equity work including civic engagement, economic development, education, healthcare, and representation in media.

The Stand Against Racism Challenge is an essential part of YWCA's annual Stand Against Racism taking place from April 28 - May 1 and informs our theme: We Can’t Wait: Equity and Justice Now! If you haven't already, visit the homepage to take the Stand Against Racism pledge and tell Congress to take action on key issues .

Thank you for helping us build a world where all people are seen as equal, powerful, and unstoppable.

How To Treat ADHD

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:07:29 GMT

Around eight percent of adults in the United States were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during their childhood. It can be a difficult thing to deal with well into adulthood.

But, there are lots of options to help your child navigate the world. Keep reading to find out how to treat ADHD.

Medication

Medication can be a powerful tool when you're searching for ADHD treatments. There are lots of different medications available for treating ADHD, so there may be some trial and error with finding the right medication for your child.

Different types of stimulants are often used as a treatment for ADHD. These drugs can have side effects, and therefore may not be suitable for children with certain health problems. Some of the different stimulants used for treating ADHD include dextroamphetamine, dexmethylphenidate, methylphenidate, and other amphetamine-based medications.

There are also non-stimulant medications that can be used as ADHD treatments. These include atomoxetine, which is sold under the brand name Strattera, and guanfacine, which is sold under the brand name Intuniv.

These medications don't run the same risk of addiction, but they still could have different side effects you'll need to watch out for. In some cases, anti-depressants may be used to manage ADHD, but this is typically used with adults, not children, because of the risk they pose to younger people.

But, you shouldn't push your child to take medication against their will. THat's especially true if they've previously been on medication. They may have suffered from side effects they haven't recognized or haven't shared with you.

Therapy

Therapy, when combined with other forms of treatment, can help children feel more at ease with their ADHD diagnosis. This will make them less likely to act out and improve their self-esteem overall.

And, therapy can help them manage their emotions and interact with other people more easily. Your child will learn about what frustrates them and how their negative emotional patterns form, and they'll learn strategies to cope with them in a healthier manner.

Behavioral Therapy

Certain specialized forms of therapy can help children deal with their ADHD. Behavioral therapy is one of these options, which teaches children to moderate their behaviors.

Look for different mental health and therapy options in your area, and see what you think might best benefit your child. Of course, the first option you try out may just not click. That's why it's important to be flexible and keep trying out different options until you find something that works for your kid.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

This type of therapy is usually focused on re-centering someone's thinking patterns. This will prevent your child from spiraling into negativity based on their perception of themselves as someone with ADHD. This will help them snap out of it when they're too hard on themselves and teach them to understand that just because their brain happens to work differently doesn't mean that it's wrong.

Training for Parents

Parents can also get training and therapy to help them properly take care of their child with ADHD. These forms of training will help you understand how people with ADHD interact with others and how their brains work.

And, these training options will help you learn strategies to help your child succeed. You'll learn how to create a schedule for your child that works for them. Your child may work best when larger tasks are broken down into smaller, more manageable ones, and you can help them figure out how.

You can keep study spaces organized and remove clutter to prevent your child from getting overwhelmed. Dietary changes may also help your child deal with their ADHD more effectively. Really, there are lots of different ways you can help your child succeed with ADHD, and parent-focused training is a great way to learn about all the different options.

Family Therapy

Having therapy as a family unit can also be helpful when treating ADHD. This can help you deal with the stress of ADHD, both on the child with ADHD themselves and the parents. It's also helpful for any siblings who may feel marginalized or upset with all the focus on the child struggling with ADHD.

But, make sure your child doesn't feel like family therapy is a punishment for their ADHD or that they're a burden forcing you to go to therapy. Make sure that it's clear that family therapy is simply a way to help support each other and help you all relate.

School Interventions

Your child's school may also be able to help you treat ADHD. Look into getting an individualized educational plan, or IEP, for your child. Your child may be entitled to accommodations to make their school life easier. For example, your child may be offered extra time on tests, just in case they get distracted.

Talk to the administration at your child's school, and look at the school board website to see what's offered in your area. You may also consider switching your child to a school with specialized options for people with ADHD.

How To Treat ADHD? Start Today

Clearly, there are lots of options out there when it comes to how to treat ADHD. It may take some troubleshooting, but with the right treatment, you'll be able to help your child manage their ADHD with ease.

Want to get your child started getting help with their ADHD? Take a look at the mental health services we offer at the YWCA in Corta Costa/Sacramento.

Resources:

https://adhd-institute.com/burden-of-adhd/epidemiology/

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/treatment.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350895

https://www.everydayhealth.com/adhd/guide/treatment/

https://www.verywellmind.com/add-and-attention-deficit-disorders-2161810

Hidden Valley Childcare Info Update

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 14:59:39 GMT

Greetings! — from the YWCA Hidden Valley Center , located at 510 Glacier Drive in Martinez .

This is the only private school-age program in the YWCA Family in Contra Costa County . We have a full-day program that runs from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. The center is led by the Head Teacher / Site Supervisor, Lisa Miller, and Associate Teacher, Sharifa Asefi.

We WELCOME YOU BACK to our safe environment!

Remember to wear your mask!

In August, we got into the Olympic spirit and learned about the new sports in the Olympics, like skateboarding. Also, we talked about the metals and shared our favorite Olympic sport to watch with each other.

For September, we are focusing on “all about me, our family, our friends, our pets, and ourselves.” Our activities will include making family pictures, creating a family tree, and bringing in photos of our pets.

We are doing art projects with our hands and our feet and focusing on washing our hands every time we come inside or before we have snacks and lunch. We will also be working on homework with our friends.

In October, we will be talking about Fall and Fall holidays, the changing of the weather and brushing our teeth, washing our hands, brushing our hair, as the theme will be “personal hygiene.”

Meet Lisa Miller

Head Teacher / Site Supervisor

Contra Costa County Moving into the Orange Tier

Tue, 04 May 2021 22:26:00 GMT

Health officials urge residents ages 16+ to get vaccinated so positive trends against COVID-19 continue.

April 6, 2021: The State of California announced today that Contra Costa County will be able to move into the less restrictive Orange Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy on Wednesday, April 7. It has been five months since the last time the county qualified for the Orange Tier.

“This is great news for our community,” said Diane Burgis, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “The last few months have been difficult for everyone and it’s nice to see us make more progress in the fight against COVID.”

Contra Costa Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said people should not let down their guard yet. “We are still in a pandemic and people should keep wearing masks in public and get vaccinated as soon as you can. I still strongly recommend people to avoid most indoor activities with people outside of their own household until they are fully vaccinated,” Dr. Farnitano said.

Last week, Contra Costa Health Services extended vaccine eligibility to everyone ages 16 and over who lives, works, or goes to school in the county. More than half the eligible population in Contra Costa has been at least partially vaccinated.

Walk-in Vaccinations -
No Appointment Required

April 19, 2021: Walk-in vaccine clinics are available in Contra Costa County—no appointment required. Everyone ages 16 and older who lives or works in Contra Costa is eligible. People under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or have a parent/guardian we can contact by phone during the vaccination.

People can also schedule vaccine appointments online or call 833-829-2626 for more information.

Statement on Increased Violence Against AAPI Community

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 17:56:49 GMT

March 17, 2021

On Tuesday, March 16, eight lives, six of whom were Asian American women, were murdered in a series of spa shootings in the state of Georgia. Elisha Rhodes, Interim CEO, YWCA USA has issued the following statement in response:

“We are devastated by the loss of eight lives to violence in the state of Georgia last night, six of whom were Asian American women, and we send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of these victims. While few details regarding the motive behind the shootings have been released, these murders cannot be separated from the rise in harassment and violence against Asian and Asian-American people since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, nor can they be separated from the misogyny that underlies violence against women. As an organization dedicated to eliminating racism for people of all races, origins, and ethnicities, YWCA condemns this violence in the strongest possible way.

As our nation’s long overdue reckoning with racism and injustice continues and as Asian Americans continue to experience a growing number of racially motivated attacks that directly correlate with an increase in white nationalist discourse, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and the disinformation campaign associated with the novel coronavirus in our country, we call on policymakers to not only investigate the rising tide of hate crimes in America, but to take swift action on common sense solutions like the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and the NO Hate Act. We join our allies in the racial justice and gender equity communities in demanding justice for the AAPI community. And we call on all Americans to resist ill-informed, biased perspectives about Asian Americans and all people of Asian descent.

At YWCA , we are unwavering in our demand for justice and in our commitment to creating a world in which all women, girls, and people of color can thrive. The shared experience of structural inequality and racism across all communities of color requires us to deepen our work together to advocate for equity and justice. We do this work because we demand a safe world of equity and human decency, and we will get up and continue to do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, and until justice just is.”

Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis – April 22 @ 3pm ET

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:27:30 GMT

ABOUT THE EVENT

Public health is — and always has been — central to racial justice work.

In the virtual event, Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis on Thursday, April 22 at 3 pm ET, join YWCA USA as we host a panel of trailblazers who have been central to declaring and addressing racism as a public health crisis.

Join us as we discuss the connections between racism and public health outcomes, how to implement public health practices to effectively identify and address racial injustice in our communities, and community engagement and public policy strategies to advance racial equity through a public health lens.

Register today for a powerful event uplifting the voices of public health professionals, advocates, and trailblazers doing the work to improve the future for people of color!

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 17:50:47 GMT

All people ages 16 and older who live or work in Contra Costa County are now are eligible to get vaccinated through Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) .

A COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most important tools to end the COVID-19 pandemic. A safe, effective, no-cost COVID-19 vaccine will be available to everyone in California. The vaccine paired with other daily health habits, such as wearing face coverings and social distancing, will slow the spread of COVID-19 so businesses and schools can fully reopen and we can return to a more normal way of life.

Why Should I Get Vaccinated?

Vaccination is an important tool to help stop the pandemic. It protects you and others by reducing infection and the spread of COVID-19. Together, the vaccine and other public health measures (like wearing a face covering and social distancing) will offer the best protection from COVID-19, reducing further spread so businesses and schools can fully reopen and we can return to a more normal way of life.

How Does the Vaccine Work?

The vaccines do not contain live viruses that could cause infection, are rapidly broken down by the human body after injection and do not interact with or affect with a person's DNA. The vaccines use messenger RNA to teach the body's own cells to produce antibodies to protect itself from COVID-19. Both vaccines require two doses over a three- to four-week period.

Is the Vaccine Safe?

Vaccines have a long history of safety and effectiveness. While infrastructure to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines is being scaled up as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures are in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorized or approved for use. To date, tens of thousands of people have received these vaccines in carefully documented trials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an independent group of experts that reviews all the safety data as it comes in and provides regular safety updates. The State of California is also conducting its own review of the vaccines’ clinical data to ensure they’re safe to use. The CDC, Food and Drug Administration and healthcare providers will continue safety monitoring as more people are vaccinated to learn about any additional vaccine side effects.

Go to https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-vaccinated to learn find more updates, learn when you become

eligible and if you are, how to register.

Richmond Childcare Center Update

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 17:45:34 GMT

Greetings from the YWCA Richmond site located at 3230 Macdonald Avenue in Richmond.

Our hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The full-day preschool is lead by our Head Teacher / Site Supervisor, Ms. Jasbir Kaur and Associate Teacher, Ms. Herminia Gomez.

In March, our theme will be Economics and Women’s Empowerment where we will learn about Women in Science, Women in Sports, Careers, Women in History, our newly elected Vice President of the United States, and Women in our Lives.

April will begin our recycling month and re-planting in our playground garden.

Our goal here at the YWCA centers is to teach pre-school independence and provide an quality, fun-learning environment for our children.

Our hope is that when these children leave us they are better equipped to explore the world around them.

Meet Jasbir Kaur

Head Teacher / Site Supervisor

History Making Moments from the 2020 Election

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 19:27:09 GMT

On Wednesday, January 20, Kamala Harris became our nation’s first vice — a woman, woman of color, and the daughter of immigrants — after her running mate, President-elect Joe Biden, was declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election.

Her election is one of many historic firsts in diversity and representation in election 2020.

At YWCA , we firmly believe in breaking down institutional barriers, influencing change, and empowering all women and people of color. This year, it was obvious that voters shared the same beliefs. From the first elected transgender state senator to the first two openly gay Black men elected to Congress, this election season boasted several records and historic firsts.

Here are all the history making moments so far.

Three hundred and sixteen women sought congressional or gubernatorial seats during the 2020 election and as of Wednesday, November 11, 131 had won their seats, including 114 women in the House and 7 women in the Senate. Among these races were 45 women of color who were elected to the House.

We anticipate that the 117th Congress will boast at least 138 women: 24 senators and 114 representatives, 48 of whom will be women of color.

Women will be at least 25.5% of all members of the U.S. House. Women are currently 23.2% of House members in 2020.
Women will at least be 24% of all members of the Senate. Women are currently 26% of all members of the Senate.

With 12 races involving female candidates still too close to call – 11 in the House and one in the Senate – the 117th Congress has already surpassed records for women’s congressional representation in:

Women serving in Congress overall
Women serving in the House
Black women serving in the House

The 117th Congress is poised to surpass the record for women of color serving in Congress overall.

The 2020 election also saw a host of other records and historic firsts, including:

New Mexico became the first state to elect all women of color as its House delegation
A record number of LGBTQ individuals—at least 11—will serve in Congress
First Republican woman to represent Minnesota in the U.S. House since 2015: Michelle Fischbach from the 7th District
First woman of color and first Black woman to serve in the U.S. Congress from Missouri: Cori Bush from the 1st District
First Latina to serve in the U.S. Congress and U.S. House from New Mexico: Teresa Leger Fernandez from the 3rd District
First woman to serve in the U.S. Senate from Wyoming: Cynthia Lummis
First Republican woman to serve in the U.S. Congress from South Carolina. First woman to represent South Carolina in Congress since 1993: Nancy Mace in the 1st District
First Republican woman to serve in the U.S. House from Iowa: Ashley Hinson from the 1st District
First LGBTQ Black member of Congress: Mondaire Jones in New York, 17th District
First Republican woman to represent Oklahoma in the U.S. Congress since 2011, and the first Iranian American to serve in Congress: Stephanie Bice in 5th District
First openly LGBTQ person elected the U.S. House from Minnesota: Angie Craig in 2 District
First transgender state senator: Sarah McBride, serving in Delaware
First Black woman to serve in the U.S. Congress and U.S. House from Washington: Marilyn Strickland in 10th District. Strickland identifies as Black and Korean American
First LGBTQ Afro-Latinx Member of Congress: Ritchie Torres, serving in New York, 1st District
First Indigenous transgender legislator elected to a state legislature: Stephanie Byers, serving in the Kansas House
First Republican Native American woman in Congress: Yvette Herrell, serving in New Mexico, 2nd District
First nonbinary legislator in the U.S. and Oklahoma’s first Muslim lawmaker: Mauree Turner, serving in the Oklahoma House
First openly LGBTQ person elected to Congress from New Hampshire: Chris Pappas in 1st District
Youngest member of Congress, at age 25: Madison Crawthorn, serving in North Carolina, 11th District

This election season came at a historic time, with two milestone voting rights anniversaries. 2020 marked the centennial of the 19th Amendment – which granted some women the right to vote – and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – which extended voting rights to people of color. At such a critical moment in our nation’s history, this is the year that Americans came together and made history – and “herstory” – by electing our nation’s most diverse body of leaders. This is our moment. Our moment to root out injustice. Our moment to transform institutions. And our moment to create a world that sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.

20 Latina Trailblazers Who Are Reshaping U.S. History for All Women

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 21:03:44 GMT

October 14, 2020

During this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month , YWCA USA is thrilled to highlight these Latina trailblazers for their groundbreaking contributions in the fields of advocacy, civil rights, legal, media, science and sports. After learning more about them, make sure to follow them to stay up to date on how they continue to pave the way for all women :

1. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Raised in a single parent household in the Bronx, the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor went on to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton, go to Yale Law School, and was appointed by President Barack Obama as America’s first Latina Supreme Court Justice after serving as a U.S. District Court Judge. Throughout her time at the Supreme Court, the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor became a much-needed voice for racial equality. In her words, “The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race, is to speak openly and candidly on the subject of race, and to apply the Constitution with eyes open to the unfortunate effects of centuries of racial discrimination.”

2. Maria Teresa Kumar @MariaTeresa1

Maria is a Colombian-American political rights activist, and President and CEO of the Latino Political Organization Voto Latino . In the beginning, Voto Latino’s mission was to increase voter registration among Latinos in the U.S. Later, Voto Latino partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau to increase participation in the 2010 census. “To spread the word, Voto Latino and MTV’s Latino channel Tr3s aired public service announcements, created a hashtag on Twitter and established a nationwide network of bloggers”. Maria and her team also launched the ‘Be Counted’ campaign, which included a bilingual mobile phone app which enabled Latinos to fill out the 2010 census on their phones. The organization is also currently assisting Latinos in navigating the health exchanges associated with the Affordable Care Act.

3. Sister Norma Pimentel @nspimentel

Sister Normal Pimentel is a Mexican-American nun of the Missionaries of Jesus, and the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. In this role, she provides food, shelter, and other necessities to migrants entering the United States. She has been praised by Pope Francis and others for her work with refugees and immigrants to the United States, gaining international attention for her work and speaking out against family separation at the border. In 2018, she received the Hispanic Heritage Award, which is considered among the highest honors by Latinos for Latinos and is supported by 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions.

4. Diane Guerrero @dianeguerrero__

Diane is an American actress and author. She is best known for her roles as inmate Maritza Ramos on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black and Lina on Jane the Virgin. Diane grew up in Boston and remained there at the age of fourteen after the rest of her family was deported to Colombia when her parents and older brother were unsuccessful in pursuing legal citizenship. She has since become a strong advocate for immigration reform and is an ambassador for the Immigration Legal Resource Center , a nonprofit organization that aims to educate about issues in the immigrant community. She also became a board member for Mi Familia Vota , a national nonprofit organization that seeks to engage communities for social justice. In September 2015, she was named one of the Presidential Ambassadors for Citizenship and Naturalization by President Barack Obama.

5. Monica Ramirez @MonicaRamirezOH

Monica is an activist, author, civil rights attorney, social entrepreneur and speaker. She has been specifically engaged in direct service and advocacy on behalf of farmworkers, Latinas and immigrant women. Mónica employs a holistic, victim-centered approach to her work, and she is an ardent supporter of worker-led movements. She also has a long history of promoting women’s leadership and political power. In 2019, she received the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Leadership Award, considered among the “highest honor for Latinos by Latinos” that recognizes notable Latinos who have made a positive impact on America, and the world, in various fields.

6. Isa Noyola @muxerisa

Isa is a transgender Latina activist who currently serves as the deputy director at the Transgender Law Center , the largest trans-led organization advocating for “a world in which all people are free to define themselves and their futures.” In 2015, she organized the first national trans anti-violence protest that brought together over 100 activists, mostly trans women of color, to address the epidemic of violence trans communities face. Isa also founded and works as a national advocate with El/La Para TransLatinas , an organization for transgender Latinas that works to “build collective vision and action to promote survival and improve TransLatinas’ quality of life” in the San Francisco Bay Area.

7. Ellen Ochoa @Astro_Ellen

After paving the way as the first Hispanic woman in the world to go into space in 1993, Ellen also became the first Hispanic director and second female director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas in 2013. In her words, “What everyone in the astronaut corps shares in common is not gender or ethnic background, but motivation, perseverance, and desire—the desire to participate in a voyage of discovery.”

8. Shakira @shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and philanthropist. Shakira has received numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, twelve Latin Grammy Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, thirty-nine Billboard Latin Music Awards, six Guinness World Records, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Forbes reported that as of 2018, Shakira has become the Latin artist who has sold the most albums in history. She is also ranked as the most-streamed Latin artist on Spotify and became one of only three female artists to have two YouTube videos exceeding two billion views. For her philanthropic work with her Barefoot Foundation and her contributions to music, she received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year awards in 2011.

9. Dolores Huerta @DoloresHuerta

In 1965, Dolores created the United Farm Workers, a labor union that worked to improve the working conditions for farm workers. By leading boycotts, picketing, protesting, and grassroots engagement, Dolores was instrumental in bringing about legislation that protects some of the most vulnerable of America’s immigrant working population. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

10. America Ferrera @AmericaFerrera

America is a film/TV actress, voice actress, producer, and director. Born in Los Angeles to Honduran parents, America has actively used her platform to encourage Latinx civic engagement through her involvement with the organization Voto Latino by appearing on various news programs. America was the opening speaker for the Women’s March on Washington in January 2017, and spoke at the Families Belong Together protest in June 2018. In January 2018, America was a founding member of the Time’s Up legal defense fund to support women seeking justice for sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.

11. Emma Gonzalez @Emma4Change

Emma Gonzalez is an American activist and advocate for gun control. As a high school senior she survived the February 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, and in response co-founded the gun-control advocacy group Never Again MSD. The organization, also known by the Twitter hashtags #NeverAgain, and #EnoughIsEnough, staged protests demanding legislative action to be taken to prevent similar shootings in the future and has vocally condemned U.S. lawmakers who have received political contributions from the National Rifle Association (NRA). It was credited in the Washington Post as winning a “stunning victory” against the NRA in the Florida legislature in March 2018 when both houses voted for various gun control measures. The law increased funding for school security and raised the required age to buy a gun from 18 to 21.

12. Laurie Hernandez @LaurieHernandez

Laurie was the first Latina gymnast to represent the United States at the Olympics since 2004 when she competed in the U.S. team dubbed the “Final Five” at the 2016 Summer Olympics, winning gold in the team event and silver on the balance beam. Since then, she has made multiple television appearances and became a major mental health advocate after bravely opening up about her healing process since the suspension of her coach Maggie Haney for abusive practices.

13. Zoe Saldana @zoesaldana

Zoe is an actress who has worked in science fiction films beginning in 2009 with her first of multiple appearances as Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek film series and her appearance as Neytiri in the Avatar film series. She also portrayed Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014. Due to her appearances in some of the highest-grossing films of all time, such as Avatar and Avengers: Endgame, Zoe is the second highest-grossing film actress of all time as of 2019.

14. Faith Florez @faith.florez

As a third generation Mexican-American and descendant of farmworkers, Faith conceptualized an app called Calor, which helps farmworkers combat heat stress. She continues to pilot the app and fundraise for its development, and she advocates for more tech solutions to challenges that affect the Latinx community through her Latina Legacy Foundation . Most recently, she was honored as a Three Dot Dash 2019 Global Teen Leader.

15. Sage Grace Dolan-Sandrino @graceadvocates

When her middle school didn’t support her decision to publicly transition in 2013, Sage Grace Dolan-Sandrino made it her mission to fight for trans students in similar situations. She has participated on boards for the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and GLAAD for LGBTQ+ education reform. Sage identifies as Afro-Latinx, and she’s served as a representative for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.

16. Rita Moreno @TheRitaMoreno

Rita is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer. Her career has spanned over 70 years, and she is one of the few artists to have won all four major annual American entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. She is also one of 23 people who have achieved what is called the Triple Crown of Acting, with individual competitive Academy, Emmy, and Tony awards for acting. She has also won numerous other lifetime achievement awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.

17. Jamie Margolin @jamie_Margolin

At 14, Jamie started organizing with other young people in her hometown of Seattle educating, protesting, and campaigning in the name of climate action. Her work gained momentum when she founded Zero Hour in 2017 and led a youth climate march on Washington DC. Jamie also played a role in the most recent Global Climate Strikes, and testified before Congress about the impact of growing up under the looming threat of the climate crisis.

18. Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cisneros is a poet, short story writer, novelist, essayist, performer, and artist whose work explores the lives of the working-class. Her numerous awards include NEA fellowships in both poetry and fiction, the Texas Medal of the Arts, a MacArthur Fellowship, several honorary doctorates and national and international book awards, including Chicago’s Fifth Star Award, the PEN Center USA Literary Award, and the National Medal of the Arts award presented to her by President Obama in 2016. In addition to her writing, Cisneros has fostered the careers of many aspiring and emerging writers through two non-profits she founded: the Macondo Foundation and the Alfredo Cisneros del Moral Foundation.

19. Soledad O’Brien @soledadobrien

María de la Soledad Teresa O’Brien is an American broadcast journalist and executive producer. Since 2016, O’Brien has been the host for Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, a nationally syndicated weekly talk show produced by Hearst Television. She is chairwoman of Starfish Media Group, a multi-platform media production company and distributor that she founded in 2013. O’Brien anchored a CNN special, Black in America, in July 2007. The program documented the successes, struggles, and complex issues faced by black men, women and families 40 years after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. In 2009, O’Brien completed a documentary titled Latino In America, documenting the lives of Latinos living in America.

20. Joan Baez @joancbaez

“We shall overcome,” sang Joan Baez, legendary folk singer, at the March on Washington for civil rights in 1963. “We are not afraid today, oh deep in my heart I do believe, we shall overcome someday.” Joan is a passionate spokesperson for the anti-war effort, a civil rights activist, and a powerful singer-songwriter. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing over 30 albums.

YWCA USA extends a huge thank you to these women for leading the way for future generations of trailblazers. Thank you for standing with us to do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, and until justice , just is.

Register To Vote!

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 18:36:18 GMT

Register to Vote for the Upcoming General Election happening on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 and see below for additional Get Out The Vote Resources to make sure your voice is heard!

We know that voting is critical to ensuring a healthy, safe, and empowered future for us, our families, and our communities. We also know that new challenges to the voting process posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic, along with pre-existing systemic and historical barriers to the voting booth for communities of color, have made our collective commitment to civic engagement even more critical this election year.

YWCA Black Lives Matter

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:47:27 GMT

Dear YWCA Staff, Childcare Members, YWCA Residents and Mental Health Participants,

With the recent historic making events, coupled with the pandemic ripping through our communities, fear and uncertainty are pervasive. We, the Board of Directors, express solidarity with our black members. There is a need to instill change throughout our community and the nation and we must respond to the actions of injustice and violence against our black peers. We stand with the black community and the tens of thousands of peaceful protesters to demand accountability and justice. We must make it known amongst all that black lives matter.

We, the Board of Directors, are committed to support our members to work to heal our society to ensure the same rights for everyone. We each have the right, the power, the opportunity and the wherewithal to speak out against injustice, not just for ourselves, but for the victims of violence and racism who don't have the same power and control over their own voices. We salute, and we support the peaceful protesters speaking out on behalf of victims of social injustice everywhere. We support the honorable law enforcement officers who work to protect your rights, especially the right to engage in peaceful protest.

Please do not hesitate to contact the YWCA staff and/or Board if you have any concerns during these very difficult times.

Sincerely,

Grace Bhairo

Board President

YWCA of Contra Costa/Sacramento

Nancy J. Atkinson

Chief Executive Officer

YWCA of Contra Costa/Sacramento

29th YWCA World Council: Young Women Transforming Power Structures

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 20:47:22 GMT

I recently had the incredible opportunity to join the Nancy Atkinson, CEO of the YWCA Contra Costa/Sacramento to attend the 29th YWCA World Council in South Africa. This event happens every four years, and it enables YWCA leaders from around the world to gather and recommit to the YWCA’s powerful mission, while sharing lessons and stories from each other.

The 29th Council meeting focused on “Women Transform-ing Power Structures”, saw representatives from 70 coun-tries, seeking to empower women and strengthening the movement of young leaders. Indeed, the event reflected the true diversity of the YWCA – women from all back-grounds – as young as 15 and as mature as 88 and of vari-ous ethnicity/nationality from the numerous countries – as colorful as the picture seen below.

As the event concluded, and I reflect on the lessons learned and the experience, I realized in many ways we are so much similar than different. Despite the geograph-ical distances of the various YWCAs around the world, though women and girls may face different experiences, there are uncanny similarities in the issues we face – do-mestic violence, poverty, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS to mention a few. The experience provided a window into how the YWCA movement effects change through collabo-ration – over 70 nations meeting to make decisions on pol-icy, constitution, strategic direction and funding. Through-out the week-long conference, attendees benefitted from mutual learning through voting and focus sessions, shared meals and cultural activities. The days were sometimes long, as discussions went pass 7:00pm; however, instead of being overwhelmed, the event left me inspired as I saw the ability of the mission to “transform power structures” through the incredible harmony and unity of YWCA mis-sions around the world.

YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento Blog

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Honoring Culture, Legacy, and Leadership

Why Hispanic Heritage Month Matters

Celebrating Trailblazers and Change-Makers

Champions of Social Justice

Voices for Truth and Health

Pioneers in Arts and Science

Fostering Understanding and Appreciation

Join the Celebration

YWCA is on a Mission

YWCA: Advocacy Update (YWCA National)

YWCA’s commitment to racial justice and civil rights runs deep

That work culminated in the creation of YWCA’s One Imperative in 1970:

At YWCA, we demand a world of equity and human decency.

Calendar of Events

Meet our YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento Board of Directors and Staff Members

Childcare Events

YWCA Childcare Curriculum

Curriculum

Mental Health

Parenting: ﻿

Back-to-School Tips for Families

Make the first day of school easier for kids.

Develop a healthy sleep routine.

Mental Health Counseling

How can I get the school district to evaluate or assess my child?

YWCA is on a Mission

YWCA: Advocacy Update (YWCA National)

About Until Justice Just Is

Age of Misinformation / Disinformation

Interpersonal Racism

The American Dream

Racialization of Crime

Calendar of Events

Meet our YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento Board of Directors and Staff Members

Childcare Events

YWCA Childcare Curriculum

Curriculum

Mental Health

Parenting: ﻿

3 Ways to Begin to Develop Preschoolers’ Literacy Skills

1. Support Print Awareness

2. Build Phonological Awareness

3. Encourage Phonics

Mental Health Counseling

Coping skills are crucial for kids as they equip them to manage emotions, handle stress, and build resilience, ultimately leading to better mental and emotional well-being, improved academic success, and stronger relationships.

1. Emotional Regulation and Management:

2. Improved Social and Academic Success:

3. Reduced Risk of Negative Outcomes:

Asian American And Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Women's Equal Pay Day Toolkit

About Equal Pay Day

YWCA is on a Mission

YWCA: Advocacy Update (YWCA National)

73 Local Associations

98 programs

Served 76,133 people

67.99% of people served were people of color

38.17% of people served were Women and Girls

147 programs

Served 70,742 people

52.11% of people served were people of color

69.60% of people served were Women and Girls

Health & Safety

109 programs

Served 114,013 people 47.32% of people served were people of color

64.47% of people served were Women and Girls

66,373 total people accessed services through childcare and child development and family support programs

64% are Women and Girls

Calendar of Events

Meet our YWCA Contra Costa / Sacramento Board of Directors and Staff Members

Childcare Events

YWCA Childcare Curriculum

Curriculum

Mental Health

Parenting:

Reasons Routines Are Essential For Children

Routines Establish Expectations:

Routines Are Essential to Children’s Health:

Routines Allow Children to Bond With Their Families

Routines Foster Confidence and Independence

Parenting:

Parenting:

Transportation