Annual Report 2022 YWCA NorthEastern NY 44 Washington Ave. Schenectady, NY 518.374.3394 Hotline 518.374.3386 ywca-neny.org YWCA NorthEastern NY is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Carole Merrill-Mazurek President Nikita Hardy President-Elect Yuvette Wayman Vice President Crystal Bedard Treasurer Susan Marlette Secretary Sandra Goldmeer Lauren Gregorie Imelda Lane Catherine Lewise Katherine Stephens Jen Zhoa Dear Friends and Allies of YWCA NorthEastern NY, It is with utmost gratitude that we share our Annual Report with you about our successes and challenges in 2022. YWCA NorthEastern NY has been serving the Schenectady and the Greater Capital Region for 134 years with our mission-focused work in many areas of programming including comprehensive Domestic Violence services, safe and affordable housing for women (trans-inclusive) and their families, economic empowerment, violence prevention, and high-quality Early Learning Education. Our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all is the driving force in our daily work. Throughout 2022, we challenged people to take a stand against violence and racism, appreciate diversity, and celebrate unity. We came together as a community to give a voice to individuals in our neighborhoods, our jobs, and our hearts. Community partners stood with YWCA NorthEastern NY in solidarity to spread our mission and shine a light on issues and disparities faced by individuals and families in our community. With the help of MVP Healthcare, Northern Rivers, community donors, and Schenectady County, we solidified our dream of owning a domestic violence shelter of our very own, the Empowerment, Healing, and Wellness Center. We worked to expand our internal policies, procedures, and mission work to keep us moving forward. We started a free, professional development program to help individuals get back into the workforce through YW STRIVE. We expanded our Youth Violence Prevention programs into ten local schools and community organizations. And with the help of Albany Free Food Fridge and Capital Region Menstrual Health, we installed a Free Food Fridge and Period Pantry on our main campus to serve anyone in need. We wholeheartedly thank our corporate and community partners, our allies and supporters, and our amazing team for all you do to make YWCA NENY the best. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Heather Hutchison and C.R.E.A.T.E Community Studios, Detective Jennifer Shewczyk of Schenectady Police Department, General Electric, Seeley Office Systems, and Walter Thorne of Albany Business Review for their continued support, allyship, and drive to move our mission forward together. Yours in Persimmon, Kim Siciliano CEO 2021-2022 Board of Directors Renee Adamany Brenda Baddam Latisha Barnett Vanessa Bobb Jessica Close Anne Fernandex Kathleen Fialkowski Executive Committee New Board Members June 2022 Hannah Barr Talia Cass Pennie Cuevas Shalain Garcia Ashtin Givens Stacey Flenory Samantha Miller-Herrera Erica Twomey
24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline Patty's Place Street Outreach Domestic Violence Shelter Empowerment, Healing, and Wellness Center DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICE 2022 YWCA NorthEastern NY's comprehensive domestic violence support services include a 24-hour safe shelter, 24-hour emergency hotline, advocacy services, group, individual, and family counseling, holiday assistance, community referrals, crisis intervention, and economic empowerment. Operated 24/7/365 2,768 calls received through the hotline in 2022 121 people utilized Patty's Place in 2022 374 - Number of times personal care items were distributed 202 - # of people who stayed in our domestic violence shelter 39 - # of children who stayed in our domestic violence shelter 60 days - average length of stay in the shelter (25% decrease from 2021) In June of 2022, with the help of Schenectady County, MVP Healthcare, Northern Rivers, and community donors, YWCA NorthEastern NY closed on the purchase of a new domestic violence shelter; the Empowerment, Healing, and Wellness Center for Survivors of domestic violence and their families. The new location doubled the space available from the previous shelter including 13 single, private bedrooms and two rooms for families. YWCA can now offer on-site support services, and access to a commercial kitchen, outdoor green space, meditation room, and communal space for residents and staff. Clients & Children Length of Stay 300 200 100 0 2021 2022
Advocacy Counseling Clients 1,000 750 500 250 0 511 - # of clients 4,918 - # of counseling sessions 3,052 - hours of counseling 2,697 - phone sessions 1,252 - hours 1,742 - in-person sessions 1,534 - hours 244 - video sessions 207 - hours 213 - # of group counseling sessions 148- participants 141 - hours mental health counselors spent in sessions providing crisis management Counseling Program Highlights 824 - # of clients 35 - individuals assisted with victim compensation 321 - people who received info and referrals 339 - # of times info about victim rights was given 257 - people who received personal advocacy/accompaniment in court 2,807 - occurrences of individual advocacy 235 - people who received criminal/civil justice system assistance 806 - occurrences of civil legal assistance in obtaining a restraining order 258 - occurrences of civil legal assistance with family law issues 2021 2022 Started Boys Group at Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady Started YW STRIVE Healthy Relationships Groups held at Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady Washington Irving Adult Continuing Education Center New Choice Recovery Center Union College Schenectady County Probation Young Parents United Niskayuna, Scotia, Mohonoson, Washinton Irving, and Stuymentz High Schools. “They’re compassionate, they really care. They also put me in touch with people who could really help my situation." “The YWCA team is a wonderful safe haven, and they are a wealth of knowledge"
Family Violence Prevention # of Clients # of Group Participants 125 100 75 50 25 0 The YW STRIVE program is a free, 16-week professional and workforce development program started in 2022. The program offers career exploration, job readiness, resume building, and financial and digital literacy training to help participants achieve their goals. YW STRIVE is designed to serve low-income women and people of color in Schenectady County, however, YWCA NENY accepts men and non-binary persons as well. The first cohort ran from September to December 2022. 5 - # of participants 5 - # of graduates 134 - # of individual and group sessions 10 - # of clients receiving digital skills 280.25 - hours STRIVE offers a free professional clothing boutique and free professional headshots with Andrew Elder of Best Frame Forward YW STRIVE 2022 119 - # of clients 383 - # of Family Violence Prevention Program sessions 144 - phone sessions 45 - in-person sessions 46 - video sessions 68 - group attendees 128.7 - hours of groups 2021 2022 “I joined because I was computer illiterate. I learned a lot about the computer and my iPhone.”
2022 Program Highlights EARLY LEARNING CENTERS 2022 48 - children enrolled in YWCA ELC's 7 - children who completed the program in 2022 One teacher earned her CDA The program directors we able to attend the SUNY Director's Conference YWCA NENY Early Learning Centers were awarded the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant to go toward a new, natural playground and allowing ALL teachers to attend the 2023 New York Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference. QualityStarsNY awarded the Early Learning Centers with a grant to enhance the classrooms with new bookshelves, tables, and activities for the children. The Pyramid Model was used all of 2022 Welcome everyone back into the classrooms Host family events Have in-person meetings with parents Host mystery readers again Many COVID-19 policies were lifted for early learning centers in 2022 giving us the ability to Celebrate Teacher's Week with a dinner for all of the teachers IN PERSON! Take the classes on field trips Our two Early Learning Centers located at 44 Washington Ave and SUNY Schenectady both offer full-day early learning. They are both licensed through the Office of Children and Family Services and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Both centers also voluntarily participate in QUALITYstarsNY and were rated 5 out of 5 stars in 2022. They offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children from six weeks to five years old. "The staff is amazing and literally made my daycare experience the best ever! From the very first time I met with Nancy and the teachers, they were so welcoming and reassuring."
Mental Health Counseling Safe, Affordable, and Supportive HOUSING PROGRAM 2022 101 - # of people housed in 2021 across our main campus, Mary Hill House, and Rosa's House 4-6 months - wait list for Single Room Occupancy 12-24 months - waitlist for Rosa's House 144 - # of times residents accessed the YWCA emergency food panty, hygiene closet, and clothing boutique The YWCA NorthEastern NY Housing Program provides safe housing and services for homeless and/or low-income women through three programs: Single Room Occupancy (SRO), Rosa's House, and Rapid Rehousing. Support services for the women include advocacy, mental health counseling, support groups, information & referrals, health & recreation opportunities, and an emergency food pantry & clothing closet. 78 - # of residents who received mental health counseling services 702 - # of mental health counseling sessions for residents 541.85 - # of hours the mental health counselors spent in individual sessions 3 YWCA residents featured their artwork in the 2022 Inspiring Women Project art exhibit! "I'm grateful to have such a safe place to live" "YWCA NENY, its programs, and Mary Hill House all did a lot for me as I moved toward self-love, healing, and peace." Jammella Anderson of Free Food Fridge Albany installed a Free Food Fridge at YWCA NENY. The FFF is designed to help combat food insecurity and food accessibility in our community Capital Region Menstrual Health (CRMH) also installed a Period Pantry to help promote the health and well-being of individuals who menstruate in our area.
OUTREACH & EDUCATION 2022 2022 964 - # of adults who participated in Domestic Violence Education 1,331 - # of youth participated in Healthy Relationships training under the age of 18 27- # of outreach tabling events COMMUNITY PARTNERS 21 - male-identifying students participated in Boys Group with YWCA NENY at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady 23 - female-identifying students participated in Help Save the Next Girl 16 - girls participated in the Guyanese Girls Empowerment Group at two local schools 2022 Purple Ribbon Award for Outstanding Youth Initiative Detective Jennifer Shewczyk
Public Support & Revenue FINANCIALS 2022 Total Income Expense Total Expense Net Contributions and Special Events Grants and Fees Program Fees Miscellaneous Income Year to Date Budget Year to Date Budget Program Expense Support Expenses $298,809 $2,743,257 $1,572,119 $134,069 $4,748,254 $485,000 $2,424,948 $1,895,626 0 $4,805,574 $3,433,191 $1,124,501 $4,557,692 3,621,366.40 $1,123,338.60 $4,744,705 $190,562 $60,869 OUR SERVICES 2022 24 Hour Empowerment, Healing, & Wellness Center 24 Hour Hotline Advocacy Counseling Affordable Housing Family Violence Prevention Program Economic Empowerment Professional Development Outreach & Education Teen & Youth Programs
DEVELOPMENT 2022 Number of Donors 600 400 200 0 78 - # of in-kind gifts received (not including Holiday Assistance Program) $26,734.76 - # total revenue of in-kind gifts (not including Holiday Assistance Program) 517 - individual donors in 2022 14+ THOUSAND SOCIAL MEDIA REACH 790 NEW FOLLOWERS ACROSS 5 PLATFORMS 2021 2022 YWCA NENY hosted the first Family Night for staff and clients The 2022 Inspiring Women Project art exhibit hosted 40 artists and more than 100 pieces of artwork. In 2022, YWCA NENY was able to go back to hosting our Annual Awards Ceremony IN PERSON. We celebrated by recognizing ten remarkable individuals at a luncheon at Rivers Casino and Event Center. Our 2022 Holiday Assistance Program helped to provide gifts to 265 Children and 120 Adults.
2022 AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS YWCA NENY CEO Kim Siciliano was awarded the Empire Whole Health Hero Award YWCA NENY was a recipient of the RedRover grant allowing us to provide shelter for survivor's cats and dogs beginning in 2023. YWCA Early Learning Centers were runners up in the Daily Gazette People's Choice Best of the Best Award for customer service. YWCA NENY was awarded a 2022 Purple Ribbon Award for Outstanding Youth Initiative YWCA NENY was awarded the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) grant for Human Trafficking allowing us to hire a full-time human trafficking counselor to provide services to victims of trafficking and provide education to other local organizations.
2022 SPONSORS