YWCA Announces Legacy Community

On Thursday, May 24, a group of about 70 YW family, friends, board, and staff came together at Homewood in Montford to dedicate the new YWCA Legacy Community. The YW is recognizing friends who have remembered the YW in their will or estate plan with a display of ceramic tiles by Kathy Triplett, the same artist who designed the Capital Campaign tiles in the lobby of the YW.

The Legacy Community was inspired by and is dedicated to the YWCA Booster Club, a courageous group of friends (both African-American and White) who came together in 1976 to supplement the efforts of the Board of Directors, and to support the first African-American board president of the recently integrated YWCA.

The YW has identified 11 members of the Legacy Community. If you have remembered the YWCA of Asheville in your will or estate plan, or would like to discuss that possibility, please call Tami Ruckman, Director of Development, at 254-7206 ext. 206.

History of the YWCA Booster Club

In 1976, twenty-two Black retired YWCA board members formed the YWCA Booster Club to supplement the current board’s efforts and in particular to be a support to the first Black board president, Ollie Reynolds.  They were determined to carry on the work of Thelma Caldwell, the first Black Executive Director of a YWCA in the South, who was instrumental in the integration of the two YWCAs.  The group formed also to address the need expressed by some Black women to maintain their identity beyond the merger.

In the early 1980s, several White women who had been very committed to the integration of the YWCA were invited to join the Boosters. In addition to supporting YWCA financial needs such as purchasing business equipment, remodeling offices, and providing youth scholarships, this group of women Boosters also organized trips and developed enrichment programs.

While their initial purpose was to support the YWCA, what is remarkable about this group is that they became an interracial group of friends. The YW Boosters did not provide programs or services around diversity, but were simply and profoundly living testaments to a vision of a multicultural community, a beloved community, a community of women who pray for each other, love each other, support each other, and enjoy each other.

MotherLove Spring Break Enrichment

Over Spring Break, participants in the YWCA MotherLove program for teen moms used the week off for fun and learning. On Monday, a group went to Mission Hospital where they visited the birthing unit and met with hospital staff. Tuesday was an entertaining day with lunch and a movie at Biltmore Square Park. On Wednesday, the group toured Western Carolina University. On Thursday, parents and babies enjoyed “Toddler Story Time” at Pack Memorial Library. Katilyn, a MotherLove participant, attended all four days of activities. When asked what her favorite thing about the week was, she said, “Making new friends. I really enjoyed getting to know the other girls in the program.” Moreover, she was very happy to learn that Western Carolina University has a child care center. “I want to go there for college,” she said.

The MotherLove program is currently seeking volunteer mentors willing to spend eight hours a month with a pregnant or parenting teen. There will be a mentor training at the YWCA on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 am – noon. Food will be provided. For more information, call MotherLove Director Tangela Ballard Bowman at 254-7206 x 116.

The YWCA After School Program Makes a Difference

9 year old Dominic (not his real name) has been part of the YWCA’s After School program for two years. When he first started coming to the YW, his social skills were minimal and his grades and behavior at school were both suffering. But the After School staff and volunteers saw great potential in Dominic! Our counselors worked with him academically and socially to help him be more successful at school. We also worked with Dominic’s parents to develop strategies for discipline, homework, and special family time at home. At the end of last school year, Dominic’s teacher called us frequently to tell us about his tremendous improvements and what a difference the YWCA After School has made in his life. Not only had his teacher seen progress with Dominic, but she was elated that we were able to positively connect with the parents and increase their involvement. Dominic’s parents love our program and have recommended it to their family members. Now 4 of his cousins attend our After School!

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of students like Dominic? Click here to make a donation today.

MotherRead Program Starts Tomorrow

The MotherRead Program helps strengthen Latino community residents to live independently and self-sufficiently by increasing the basic skills of adults; increasing the connection between home and school for families; increasing the awareness of other resources; and reducing the social isolation of new immigrants to the community.

A MotherRead class, with a focus on learning English as a second language and learning to read to their children, will be offered at the YWCA. The class starts tomorrow, January 31, and will be held from 9:00 am – noon.

This class would not be possible without the childcare support of  the YWCA’s Drop-in Child Care.

For more information, contact: Norma Brown, Latino Outreach Coordinator, ChildrenFirst, 828-252-4810, normab@childrenfirstbc.org

Photo of participants in last year’s Love & Logic class at the YWCA. 

Children Dreaming and Reading, Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. King

This morning Oralene Simmons led an activity about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for 3-5 year olds from the YWCA Child Care Center and 8th graders from Asheville Middle School. Simmons talked about education and dreams. Temple Beth Ha Tephila organized the event and donated books that were read to the Child Care children by 8th graders. All of the children and teens received a book to take home with them. Click here for a sweet photo gallery.
 

Celebrating the Holidays and Our Staff

The YWCA Board of Directors hosted our annual staff Holiday Dinner last week. Staff enjoyed a wonderful meal served by the Board. Employees were honored for 5, 10, and 15 years of service.

Thanks to these employees for their dedicated years of service:

5 Years: Shawn Barger, Jan Cope, Robert Grant, Joe Jones, Mike Little, Frederic Miercort, Douglas Moore, Anna Rector, Alphie Rodriguez, Pat Sorrels

10 years: Wanda Harris and Mary Beth Herman

15 Years: Holly Jones and Patricia Tenant

Kind Words About Our Last Health Fair

Last month the YWCA and Mission Hospital hosted a Health Fair at the YWCA which provided free health screenings and information to 159 people. Here is a sweet note we received from one of those people:

I am so grateful for the Health Fair you sponsored last Saturday. The Health Screen was so inclusive and the Mission’s Medical Staff was so courteous and professional.

I have been uninsured for several years so the opportunity was a huge relief. I’m happy to report my numbers were good and I felt a surge of well-being and gratitude. It was good to feel responsible again.

I have been a member of the YWCA for years and truly value my membership. I look forward to other health related events.

Thank you so much for this Health Fair.

Sincerely,

KJ

Today is the Last Day of our “Best of WNC” Sign-Up Special

Club W: The YWCA Health & Fitness Center, was voted “#1 Place to Work Out” in the Mountain Xpress “Best of WNC” poll. To celebrate this honor, we have been offering free enrollment to Club W. This special ends today, so come on in before 9 pm tonight to join!

What is so special about Club W? Here is what the Xpress had to say:

“To many of the YWCA’s members, the fitness center is one of Asheville’s best-kept secrets. YW folks want to tell you how great it is to be a member, but then maybe they don’t, fearing that their beautiful little exercise bubble will be popped if too many folks discover its charms. You might be familiar with the YWCA’s mission, “to eliminate racism and empower women.” You may have even heard about some of its green practices: the 30 solar panels on the roof heat the showers and pool. But why is it WNC’s best place to work out? Here are five things that you may not know about Club Dub: 1. The “W” actually stands for Welcome Everyone. Okay, I made that up, but it could be true. 2. Really, everyone. Men and women, black and white, young and old, the fitter than thou and the “happy to be here.” You’ll see them all in the workout room. 3. You get a discount if you agree to arrive at the YW by foot, bike or bus. 4. A free triathlon-training group comes with your membership. 5. I teach spin class there and it’s awesomely fun. — B.U.”

New Child Care Playground Dedication this Friday

You are invited to drop by on Friday between 4:45 and 5:45 pm to celebrate the YWCA Child Care Center‘s new outdoor learning and play environment.

Mathews Architecture Honored

Mathews Architecture, P. A. was honored with the 2011 Firm of the Year Award at the annual Design Awards Ceremony of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in Raleigh on Saturday, September 10, 2011.

Jane Gianvito Mathews, AIA LEED™ AP BD+C, the Owner and Principal of the firm, was the YWCA of Asheville’s 2004 TWIN Award Recipient. She and her staff were responsible for the renovation and expansion of the YWCA in 2000. Holly Jones, Executive Director of the YWCA of Asheville, nominated Jane for this honor.

The Firm of the Year Award is the highest honor and most prestigious award bestowed on an architecture practice by North Carolina AIA. The 2011 Firm of the Year Award to Mathews Architecture marks the first time a firm in western North Carolina has received this award. In addition, it is only the second instance a woman-owned firm has been so honored.

The Mathews Architecture team – (from left) Adam Penny, Mary Ward, Mark Powell, Jane G. Mathews, Cindy McMahon, Jessica Larsen, Briana Zalewski, Rich Mathews.

The Awards Committee, in its unanimous selection, noted the contributions and culture of the entire firm and not just of the firm’s owner and principal, Jane Gianvito Mathews. Mathews Architecture was recognized for exhibiting sensitivity to the regional vernacular, with a strong sensitivity to green building design and for its service to its clients, to the community and to the AIA.

In her letter of nomination, Holly Jones, Buncombe County Commissioner and Executive Director of the YWCA of Asheville, noted “If I had to choose one WNC firm that most fully represents a combination of design excellence and service to the community, there is no doubt that I would choose Mathews Architecture. As Executive Director of the YWCA of Asheville, I had the honor of becoming Mathews Architecture’s first major client when Jane Mathews founded the firm in 2000. During the interview process, our Building Committee was impressed with the quiet professionalism of Jane and her staff. It was clear that they were not only interested in our project, but attuned to our budgetary restraints and listening closely to our programmatic needs. The committee’s decision was quick and unanimous: Mathews Architecture was the right choice for our project. And we never looked back.” 

Mathews Architecture does not specialize in any one type of building design. Its projects have ranged from the historic Shook House museum in Clyde, NC, to Prospect Terrace, the affordable housing community in the West End / Clingman Avenue Neighborhood, to a new, mountain-top private residence, designed to showcase the owner’s extensive collection of African art. One of the firm’s latest projects is the Recreation Center at Livingston Street Park, which will officially be named the Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center and will have its grand opening ceremony in October, 2011. The Center is the first City of Asheville facility to receive LEED™ certification and is on target to achieve the highest level possible, LEED™ Platinum Certification.