YWCA Hosts “We Stand”
In 2020 the YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear lost a significant funding source for our community outreach programs after canceling our sole annual fundraiser, Women of Achievement. The event raises funds to support programs like the Grandparent Support Network, Early Parenthood Program, New Choices Economic Empowerment Program, and REACH Girls Empowerment Program, which provide resources and supports for many of the most vulnerable children, women, and families in southeastern North Carolina. The loss of this event jeopardizes over $80,000 in funds.
WE STAND: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, is a fundraiser to unite our community, share stories of how YWCA is making a difference and supporting the community, and raise funds for our mission-critical programs. Watch the program here:
How You Can Help
Your continued support will propel us forward in our mission and in our impact. Every $25 we raise provides a warm meal to a family in our Grandparent Support Network. A donation of $50 helps a young woman in our New Choices program buy textbooks as she pursues her college degree. Your donation of $100 or more provides families with low-income access to safe and enriching child care. Join us in our mission with a tax-deductible gift to the YWCA today.
YWCA History
The YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1914 as an affiliate of the national YWCA, an autonomous women’s movement. We are committed to self-determined social change for women of all racial, ethnic, and economic groups. The YWCA provides leadership in our community, nation, and world in the struggle for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.
The YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear is committed to providing programming, education, and training to ensure economic security for women and their families and quality youth programming that promotes healthy development of children and creates opportunities for youth. The YWCA serves women and their families with flexible programs that span their lifetimes.
The YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear is located in the southeast region of North Carolina and serves community members in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender Counties. Our programs and services have furthered the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women for the past 106 years.
At YWCA we get up and do the work — even during a pandemic! WE STAND with our community yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Our Wilmington history shows that YWCA has been a source of stability and support for our community.
1918 | Spanish Flu – YWCA set up hospital wards in their facility
1966 | Civil Rights – YWCA marched and rallied on the front lines for equality and justice
2018 | Hurricane Florence – YWCA helped to rebuild the community
2020 | COVID-19 – YWCA provides child care for essential workers, and resources and supports for women and families who are most vulnerable
Through the novel coronavirus pandemic, YWCA has kept our doors open, meeting the needs of families impacted by the virus by continuing to provide child care for essential workers, delivering meals and groceries to families in our Grandparent Support Network, and assisting women and others who have faced job cut-backs, low wages, or loss of housing in our New Choices Economic Empowerment and Early Parenthood Programs.
“In times like these we are grateful to have strong allies. As we look ahead, we know that much more needs to be done to weather this storm and ensure adequate and effective resources for women and families. We appreciate your support, and want you to know that your YWCA stands with you,” says Velva Jenkins, CEO, YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear.
With the strength of people and power of community, WE STAND will spotlight how the YWCA is planning to adapt their services and be ready to respond to the dynamic needs of the community as they emerge and rebuild after the pandemic subsides. But they can’t do it alone. YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear needs the community’s support to ensure they can continue to deliver critical assistance to the most vulnerable communities.
