WNCAP HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk

On Saturday, participants of the YWCA MotherLove program for teen moms (and their children) marched in the annual WNCAP HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk.

The YWCA is proud to support this important cause.

photo by mega_dee on flickr

Last Night’s Domestic Violence Vigil Was Powerful

Last night’s Helpmate and the YWCA MotherLove program held a powerful domestic violence vigil at the YWCA. Everyone in attendance was visibly moved. Awareness was raised through speakers and a survivor’s harrowing testimonial. MotherLove participants created hearts with the name and age of each of the 56 people killed by a family member this year in North Carolina. As the teens read the names, the hearts were posted to a giant sign which read, “One Life Lost is One Too Many.” The Clothesline Project and the Silent Witness exhibit were also on display. Helpmate offered information and resources. There are more photos from the Vigil on our Facebook page.

Domestic Violence Vigil Wed. October 26 at the YWCA

Domestic Violence Vigil to honor victims and survivors of abuse

Helpmate and the YWCA of Asheville recognize October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In an effort to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence, Helpmate and the YWCA MotherLove program are holidng a Domestic Violence Vigil on Wednesday, October 26 at 5:30 pm. On display will be the Silent Witness Exhibit, Clothesline Project, and art work created by children living in Helpmate’s Emergency Shelter. A survivor of domestic violence will also be present at this event to tell her story. The names of domestic violence homicide victims will also be read in order to memorialize those that have lost their lives in North Carolina so far in 2011. The public is encouraged to attend this free event.

MotherLove Mentor Training This Thursday, Aug. 25

The YWCA MotherLove program is recruiting volunteer mentors to provide support and encouragement to teen mothers. A mentor training will be held on Thursday, August 25 at 5:00 pm at the YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Avenue. Refreshments will be served. An 8 hour a month commitment is required to be a mentor. For more information, contact MotherLove Director Tangela Ballard Bowman at 254-7206 x 116.

Here is a video featuring MotherLove participants:

MotherLove Mentor Training Thursday, August 25th

The YWCA MotherLove program is recruiting volunteer mentors to provide support and encouragement to teen mothers. A mentor training will be held on Thursday, August 25 at 5:00 pm at the YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Avenue. Refreshments will be served. An 8 hour a month commitment is required to be a mentor. For more information, contact MotherLove Director Tangela Bowman at 254-7206 x 116.

MotherLove Giving Tree

The YWCA of Asheville’s Annual MotherLove Giving Tree is now on display in the lobby. The Giving Tree is made of stars, each bearing wishes from a local teen mother. The public is invited to come to the YWCA and pick out a star to help make someone’s holiday brighter by providing gifts for their children. The purpose of the Giving Tree is to assist with the holiday expenses of teen mothers in the YWCA MotherLove program.

The YWCA MotherLove program is a mentoring program for pregnant and parenting teens. Participating teens are paired with a trained adult mentor who provides support, guidance, friendship and teaches parenting skills. For more information, call MotherLove Director Tangela Ballard Bowman at 254-7206 x 116. If you would like to make a donation to this successful program, click here.

AIDS Awareness Walk

A group of participants in the YWCA’s MotherLove program for teen moms were part of the WNCAP AIDS Awareness Walk on Saturday.

They were included in the Asheville Citizen-Times’ coverage of the event. Here is an excerpt from the article by Barbara Blake:

“Dr. Polly Ross, medical director of WNC Community Health Services, watched from the sidelines, her face a mix of hope and frustration.

‘We have a chance to make a difference on this planet by spreading information that can prevent the spread of HIV,’ she said. ‘When you look at this crowd … it’s all different kinds of people, and HIV doesn’t discriminate.’

Ross said she was encouraged to see the number of teens taking part in the walk and rally, including about two dozen girls from the YWCA wearing matching orange sweatshirts with the Y logo. ‘These young people have grown up since we knew (the facts about AIDS),’ as opposed to the early years of AIDS marked by misinformation and fear tactics, Ross said. ‘They understand the facts, and there is no reason it (HIV) should be spread.’…

Sequoia Harper, a senior at Asheville High School and one of the YWCA girls in an orange sweatshirt, came on the walk for the predictable reason, ‘to help support people with AIDS.’

But when Harper thought more carefully about her reasons, it really came down to the friend she has who is living with AIDS.

‘It will make him happy to know that I’m here,’ she said.”

AIDS Awareness Walk Prep

This Saturday, November 6, a group of participants from our MotherLove program for teen moms will be marching in the WNCAP AIDS Awareness Walk. Last week MotherLove participants had a group meeting. Part of the meeting was spent making signs for the walk. Here are a few photos.

Teens Learn Money Management

We were thrilled by the turnout at a recent program presented by Capital Bank to participants in the YWCA MotherLove program. About 35 teen parents (mothers and fathers) from various high schools attended. This class was the first in a series where participants will learn money management skills such as budgeting. The MotherLove program provides mentoring and suport to teen mothers to help them excel in school and in life. Find out more about MotherLove here.

Presentation/dialogue on NC’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative

YWCA MotherLove/APP Director Tangela Bowman

On Thursday, May 6, at 5:00 pm Patricia Yancey, Public Education Director of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Council of NC, will speak at the YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave. Yancey will provide an overview of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative and the threat to future funding. In addition, there will be panel of participants in the YWCA’s MotherLove mentoring program for teen moms. The participants will share how the program has benefited them and then facilitate further discussion and questions. The audience will have a chance to ask questions and learn about ways to advocate for continued funding for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative. The event will be facilitated by YWCA MotherLove/APP Director Tangela Bowman. For more information, call 254-7206 x 116.

Who should attend?
Youth and young adults
Parents of teenagers
Teachers, school administrators, counselors, and social workers
Religious leaders – especially youth group leaders
Child and youth advocates
Service providers

This event is presented by:
YWCA of Asheville, Junior League of Asheville, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Intiative (TPPI), United Way, and Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County