YWCA of Grand Island to train women and people of color to run for local offices
YWCA of Grand Island is launching a new program in March of 2022 called YWeRun. This non-partisan program will equip and empower women and people of color to run for elected offices.
Latest estimates from the US Census Bureau reflect that Grand Island’s diversity is growing; people of color now make up about 39% of Grand Island’s population. “Our local and statewide elected officials, however, do not reflect this rich diversity. Women have also been underrepresented in local, state, and national elected offices for many years,” said Danielle Helzer, YWCA’s Mission Impact Director.
YWeRun was developed to fill these gaps. The program will be delivered in five sessions. Participants can choose which sessions to attend. All sessions will be offered on Saturday mornings at YWCA of Grand Island:
- March 19th, 9:30 AM-12 PM: Why Me?, $25
- April 9th, 10 AM-12 PM: Selecting an Office, $20
- June 11th, 10 AM-11:30 AM: Campaign Resources, $15
- September 10th, 9:30 AM-12 PM: Building a Campaign, $25
- November 5th, 9:30 AM-12 PM: Sustaining Your Campaign and Next Steps, $25
If individuals wish to participate in all sessions, they can pay a flat fee of $75. No individual will be turned away based on inability to pay.
“Our elected officials should represent the people they serve, and that means we must diversify our elected offices. We want women and people of color to have access to these elected positions,” said Amy Bennett, Executive Director of YWCA of Grand Island. To register or for more information, contact Danielle Helzer at dhelzer@ywca-gi.org