YWCA of Asheville and WNC

Congratulations to all the nominees!! We are particularly proud of our YWCA nominee, Alesia Summey please read below about her inspiring leadership and join us in voting for her as nonprofit leader of the year!

The YWCA of Asheville is now a designated Porchlight location. The PorchLight Project is a collaboration of the Buncombe County Family Justice Center Partner agencies, Helpmate and Our Voice, working to strengthen our community to create a stronger network of support for survivors of Intimate Partner Violence, Human Trafficking, and Sexual Violence. At a designated PorchLight location, survivors can call Helpmate, Our Voice, or 911, and wait in a welcoming and discreet location while those services respond. Thank you, Porchlight and the Family Justice Center. #empoweringwomen #ywcaofasheville #Porchlight

PLEASE SHARE Our Partners at Racial Justice Coalition of Asheville, Inc. are hiring an Executive Director! This unique opportunity is for an experienced Executive Director with a passion for racial justice and a proven record of solid administrative, written, and oral communications, organizational management, and team-building skills. Qualified candidates will contribute their gifts to build a dynamic team of leaders to foster racial justice in Asheville, N.C. Send inquiries and resumes to: board@rjcavl.org or follow the link below.

We're committed to interrupting the cycle of generational poverty and combating systemic racism and gender discrimination. Your support makes a difference. Join us today in making a lasting and meaningful impact. Contribute here: ywcaofasheville.org/donate #YWCAAsheville #YWCAisOnAMission #EliminatingRacism #Empowering Women #CommunitySupport #NonProfit #GenerationalChange #ThenandNow #Vintage #SupportYWCA #Empowerment #CommunityImpact

Kitty Schmidt is not only the aquatics director of the YW, she has tirelessly worked for swim equity in our community and has taught generations of WNC children to swim. Kitty is a former Navy Nurse, a Water Safety Instructor and Instructor Trainer, a Certified Lifeguard and Pool Operator, a Water Aerobics Instructor and Instructor Trainer, and a USA Certified Swim Coach. Kitty began working at the YW in 1999, and in her time here, she has been a swim instructor/Lifeguard and Director of both Aquatics and Fitness; in 2014 she became Director of Aquatics. We congratulate Kitty Schmidt on retiring after 25 years of service. Her impact here at the YW and in the larger community has been immeasurable. We will miss her, but we wish her all the best as she moves on to her next adventure.

Navigating the challenges of childcare has always been a crucial topic, and it's now more pressing than ever. Our local childcare providers are facing a looming financial crisis as vital state grants are set to expire in June. This insightful article by AVL Watchdog delves into the realities these centers confront, highlighting the potential impact on families and the broader community. Discover why so many childcare centers are grappling with financial instability and what this means for our future. It's time to shed light on these critical issues and work together to find sustainable solutions. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ewdJHNYU Let's support our childcare providers and advocate for the resources they need to thrive! 💪📚👶 CHRISTINE AVERY LEARNING CENTER, Verner Center for Early Learning, Buncombe Partnership for Children #YWCAisOnAMission #EliminatingRacism #EmpoweringWomen #YWCAofAsheville #Childcare #CommunitySupport #FinancialCrisis #Education #EarlyChildhoodEducation #SupportLocal

A big thank you to the wonderful members of our local Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Networking Group for joining us at 8 am at the YWCA for a tour of our programs within our building! We are grateful to be able to showcase the impactful work we do every day and share our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women right here in Asheville with members of the Asheville Area Chamber. Your engagement and interest mean the world to us! We cherish opportunities like these to connect, collaborate, and create positive change together. Please follow this link https://lnkd.in/esMf8rTR to join us for a tour of programs and get to know the work that we do. Looking forward to more collaborative ventures in the future! Let's keep building bridges and making a difference, hand in hand. #CommunityEngagement #Gratitude #Collaboration #Empowerment #LocalImpact #YWCAofAsheville

A huge shoutout to First Horizon Bank for supporting our Getting Ahead program, empowering women's economic mobility. Their commitment to our cause is truly commendable! Thank you, First Horizon Bank, for helping us create pathways to success for women in our community. Together, we're making a difference! 💼🌟 #EliminatingRacism #EmpoweringWomen #EconomicMobility #CommunityImpact #FirstHorizonsBank

Our free Racial Justice Community Workshop is at the intersection of professional and personal development. This virtual 3-Part Racial Justice Training explores anti-Black racism, overlapping systems of oppression, and racial equity in Asheville and Buncombe County. There is still space in our January Workshop! Please register here or contact us to schedule a Racial Justice Workshop specifically for your organization. https://lnkd.in/eHvHercP

To our fellow hustlers, change agents, and hard workers, let's kick off 2024 with a holistic approach to success! Remember to prioritize your well-being – embrace physical, mental, and social wellness on your journey. Join us at the YWCA for a FREE wellness boost during the week of Jan. 2-5. Not only are our Community Classes always open to the public at no cost, but we're extending the love to ALL fitness classes for the first week of January. Seize the opportunity to discover what movement aligns with your spirit. Whether it's yoga, HIIT, or something in between – try out a class or three! Your well-being is an essential part of your success story. Let's make 2024 a year of growth, balance, and achievement together. 💪✨ #WellnessJourney #NewYearNewYou #FitnessGoals https://lnkd.in/erdegybA