On August 13th, the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts welcomed Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray to speak with YWCA board members, staff and volunteers about plans for the YWCA’s “Under One Roof” capital campaign for the construction of a three-level addition onto its historic Levi Standish House.

Lieutenant Governor Murray, joined by Senator Mark Montigny, Representative Antonio Cabral and New Bedford City Councillor Jane Gonsalves met with ten of the girls from the YWCA’s Girls Giving and Growing program to answer their many questions. Krystal Argueta, age 11 challenged the Lieutenant Governor with questions on women’s health care reform and freedom of speech, while Raybryanna Dasher, age 13 asked a local question regarding any possibility of plans for building a teen community center.

Krystal later commented, “I learned a lot about what the Lieutenant Governor does and more about the political world. I enjoyed watching him answer my challenging questions.” “I liked meeting all of them, and I wish they could have stayed longer. We not only got to have the company of the Lieutenant Governor, but we also had the privilege of getting to know him better,” said Raybryanna. “And we got his autograph to remember him by,” added Krystal. The girls held onto our state and local officials after the meeting to take pictures and request their autographs.

The YWCA’s “Under One Roof” capital campaign will allow the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts to centralize its critical programs of childcare and women’s residential housing under one roof in a new facility that will also allow for expanded programs for teens and teen girls like those from the YWCA’s Girls Giving and Growing program.

YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and girls. YWCA youth programs like Girls Giving and Growing have given girls ages 10-14 the opportunities to learn various tools and values in becoming a teen with a well-rounded personality. For more information on programs like Girls Giving and Growing, please contact the YWCA: 508-999-3255 or go to: www.ywcasema.org.

YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts

The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts was founded in 1911.  The Mission of the YWCA speaks to the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women.  The YWCA has undergone major changes nationally, regionally and locally, but it has continued “to create opportunities for women’s growth leadership and power” since its inception. 

The organization adopted its One Imperative in 1970, “to thrust our collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary” and continues to work to that goal internally and throughout its service area.  The Board of Directors and staff reflect the diversity of the area with a concentrated effort to have many locales served.

The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts serves the region surrounding Greater New Bedford including communities south of Brockton, east to Provincetown and west to Attleboro.  The YWCA is one of 300 local associations of the YWCA USA, incorporated individually and operated autonomously by a Board of Directors elected by the general membership.

The programs and services of the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts are identified in five areas.  They are Advocacy, Adult Services, Wellness for Women and Girls, the Women’s Collaborative Project and Youth Services.

Mission:

The YWCA is a women’s membership movement nourished by its roots in the Christian faith and sustained by the richness of many beliefs and values. 

Strengthened by diversity, the Association draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision:  Peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.

The Association will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.

Please visit us online at: http://www.ywca.org

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