YWCA Went Over the Edge

On Saturday, August 3, 20 people went over the edge of Tower 217 in support of the YWCA of Grand Island.  Thanks to the support of our edgers and sponsors we were able to raise $23,000 to enable us to advocate and provide programming that eliminates racism and empowers women.

Thank you to our Edgers!

Thank you to our Volunteers

Brandon Baltazor – Bosselman Energy
Craig Boerson – Jerry’s Sheet Metal
Abbie Hassett – Hornady
Dan Naranjo – All Faith’s Funeral Home
Carrie Galvan – Principle
Matthew Bennett – CMBA Architects
Amos Anson – Tower 217
Sharena Anson – Tower 217
“Bones” – Bosselman Enterprises
Jon Cavanaugh – Kristy Cavanaugh American Family Insurance
Dayana Hernandez – JobXSite

Michael Leonard

Carrie Kolar

Jim Kolar

Matthew Tubbs

Shari Kearney

Wendy Alexander

Alice Barnes

Jennifer Stelk-Fischer

Miranda Earnest

Kris O’Neil

Chris Shenk

Erin Urbom

Rosie Lucero

Angela Aldana

Amanda Kreutzer

David Weatherill

Allison Zitterkopf
Amy Bennett
Heather Earnest
Shara Madison
Victor Zurita

Don Deitemeyer
Jonna Mangeot
Jennifer Stelk-Fischer
Susan Hageman
Scott Sahling

We are in need of donations of school supplies for our Child Development Center. Donations can be dropped off at the YWCA Front Desk.

• White Card Stock
• Glue Sticks
• Colored Pencils
• Crayola Brand Markers – Primary Colors
• Spiral Notebooks
• Legal Notepads
• Pencils

• Bic Pens
• Blue Painters Tape
• Scotch Tape Refills
• Dry Erase Markers
• Bingo Dabbers
• Popsicle Sticks
• Adult Scissors
• Art Paper

• Elmer Glue Bottles
• Fingerpaint/Washable Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Pocket Folders
• Yarn, variety of colors
• Construction Paper
• Color Copy Paper
• Tissue Paper

We will be taking a Stand Against Racism on April 25th and 26th and we are asking you to join us.  On Thursday, April 25th and Friday, April 26th we are asking businesses and organizations to sign the pledge to Stand Against Racism.  The YWCA will come to your business or organization for a pledge signing and pictures for your social media pages.

To schedule a time to Stand Against Racism, email Amy Bennett at ywcaexec@ywca-gi.org or call us at 308-384-9922.

On Friday, April 26th at 6pm, the YWCA of GI, in partnership with the Central Community College Multicultural Resource Center, will be showing the film “Documented”, a documentary about Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jose Vargas, who discovered he was an undocumented American as an adult.  Following the film we will have a panel discussion on immigration with community members who have experienced the immigration system.  This event, held at the YWCA of GI, is free of charge and open to the public.

For a schedule of
events, visit our Facebook Page

 www.facebook.com/ywcaofgrandisland 

Are You Ready to Go Over the Edge?

Pre-Registration is now open for Over The Edge 2019.  Anyone who registers by 5pm on May 1^st
will be entered to receive a $100 donation toward their $1000 fundraising
goal.

For information, and to register, visit  https://give.overtheedge.events/YWCAGrandIsland2019

YWCA Child Development Center Open Enrollment

The YWCA Child Development Center will have open enrollment
for all children ages 18 months – to pre-K.
Children enrolled at our center receive social, emotional, and academic
skill building all day, every day using High Scope Curriculum. Children ages
2-pre-k receive Spanish languages twice a week during the school calendar, and
all children have free play multiple times throughout the day.  Anyone who registers their child during our
May 2^nd Open House will receive free registration.  For more information and to tour our
facilities, please contact Child Development Center Director Jana Hudiburgh at
308-384-9922.

Now Taking Registrations for School Age Summer Program 

Do you have a child who needs a place to go this
summer?  We are now accepting
registrations for school age children up to age 12 for our summer program.  Summer program includes:

• Weekly field trips
• Visits to Raising Nebraska at the State Fair
  Grounds
• Water Days
• Weekly STEM activities
• Hands on learning experiences
• Breakfast, lunch, and snack included

To register your child, contact Child Development Center Director
Jana Hudiburgh at 308-384-9922.

ANNUAL FUND DRIVE STARTS MARCH 1ST!

Daizy is a happy, energetic 5-year-old. She is a social butterfly, eager to learn, play, and talk with her friends.  This is a long way from where Daizy was when she started coming to the YWCA of Grand Island in December of 2017.

Daizy’s mom Taylor brought Daizy to the YWCA of Grand Island because she was concerned about Daizy’s speech, social skills, and some of her behaviors. “When she got upset she would crawl under a table, cry, and throw her shoes at you” After researching multiple child care centers in Grand Island, Taylor chose to enroll Daizy at the YWCA.  Taylor told us. “Within a few weeks of being at the YWCA, Daizy made a turn around.  She was speaking in complete sentences, and making friends.”  In January, Taylor saw a piece of art on the wall outside of Daizy’s classroom and was surprised at what she saw.  “Daizy wrote her own name!  I was so proud of her. And Daizy was excited because she knew what the letters in her name were and knew some of the sounds they made.”

“It has literally been life changing for us.  I was struggling so hard.  I was at a loss on how to help her.  It’s beautiful.  I don’t know what I would do without bringing her to the YWCA.” 

Taylor and Daizy’s story is just one of many at the YWCA of Grand Island. And it is not just child care.  It is the woman who feels safer at night because of the self-defense class she took.  It is the feeling of confidence and pride another woman has when she touches the earth after rappelling down Tower 217.  It is the moment of connectedness after listening to the stories of those who are different than oneself.  It is knowing you are making a stand for injustice when you Stand Against Racism.

YWCA Grand Island is on a mission to empower women, eliminate racism, strengthen families, and improve the welfare of children.  Won’t you join us?

Empower Yourself!

Next Women’s Self-Defense Class is Saturday April 13th!

Do you want to feel more confident when you are out alone?  Then join us for our next Woman’s Self-Defense class on Saturday, April 13th from 8am-Noon. Randi Webb, and instructor at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, will teach you how to use your voice and your hands to protect yourself in any situations.

Cost of the class is $20 for YWCA of Grand Island members and $25 for Not Yet Members.  To register call the YWCA at 308-384-9922.

Save The Date – Stand Against Racism

Stand Against Racism – “No Hate, No Fear.”  will be April 25-28, 2019.  We will be visiting businesses on April 25th and 26th to sign the Stand Against Racism Pledge.  If your business or organization would like to take a stand and sign the pledge, please contact the YWCA at 308-384-9922.

And stay tuned for an announcement about a special event in conjunction with Stand Against Racism.

Are You A Member of the YWCA of Grand Island?

To become a member of the YWCA of Grand Island, contact us at 308-384-9922 or click here.  Family memberships are $60, Individual memberships are $35, and Senior Memberships are $25.  A YWCA membership provides you with discounts to YWCA of Grand Island programs and discounts to local businesses.  Join the YWCA of Grand Island today!!

Ready. Set. RAPPEL!

Do
you want to feel like you can conquer the world?  Are you looking for an adventure?  Are you ready to cast aside your fears?  Join the YWCA of Grand Island as we go Over
the Edge of Tower 217 downtown.  To
rappel, sign up on our Over the Edge website and then raise $1000 through
support from your friends, family, and coworkers.  On Saturday, August 3^rd, we will
send you down Tower 217, thanks to the generous support of Charles Anson and
the Anson family.  When your feet touch
the ground, you will feel like you can do anything.  All money raised supports the mission and
programs of the YWCA of Grand Island.
For more information contact us at 308-384-9922 or email Amy at ywcaexec@ywca-gi.org.

“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way!”

YWCA of Grand Island Child Care Center Celebrates Dr. Seuss Week!

In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd, our child care center is celebrating Dr. Seuss all week long.

Each day this week has had a theme based on Dr. Seuss books.

On Monday, we discussed “1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” and the children wore red and blue.  Tuesday was “Fox in Socks” paired with silly or mismatched socks.   Of course Wednesday was “Wacky Wednesday”, with the kids being wacky wearing mismatched, inside out, or backward clothes.

What would Dr. Seuss week be without a tip of the hat to “The Cat in the Hat”, with everyone wearing their favorite hats.  We are capping Dr. Seuss week off on Friday with “Green Eggs and Ham” and inviting the grandparents of our Bumblebee and Grasshopper classes to join us for special breakfast.  Then we will dive into “Sleep Book”, as everyone wears there most comfy pajamas to spend the day reading.

Take a look at a few pictures from this fun week!!  And to see more visit our child care Facebook page.

Fun Facts about YWCA of Grand Island

Did you know our child care rooms are named for insects?

• Caterpillars – Infant room, 6 weeks to 12 months
• Fireflies – Young Toddlers – 12 months to 24 months
• Dragonflies – Older Toddlers – 24 months to 3 years
• Bumblebees – 3 years – 4 years
• Grasshoppers – Pre-k