The Young Womens Christian Assoc Of Yonkers

Pearls program the pearls program is a program dedicated to serving girls ages 10-18 years old. The program provides a safe and nurturing environment that provides the girls with opportunities to be themselves and surround themselves with positivity. Throughout the year of 2024 the pearls participated in many activities such as leadership opportunities, community service, cultural engagement activities, life skill workshops and of course focused on academic accomplishments. During program the pearls participated in weekly zumba sessions where they were able to focus on movements, hand-eye coordination, dancing skills all while improving their health and wellness. The pearls used the skills they learned during their weekly zumba sessions and performed a routine at the ywca's spirit of a woman gala. They also performed at the yonkers rising stars talent show. The pearls participated in team building exercises where they were able to learn how to be a team and support one another. During the team building exercises the girls were able to learn about each other and bond as a team. We had two of our pearls participate in the yonkers fashion week and the pearls went to the show to show their support. The girls participated in community service throughout the year where they were able to give back to the community. Some of the community service activities they participated in were pitching in parks with senator andrea stewart-cousins, the ywca health fairs, and the ywca back to school community giveaway. The girls also took a stand against domestic violence and walked in the 1st annual 5k walk honoring domestic violence victims, they marched in the yonkers juneteenth parade and they walked and supported the yodigonomas "i say no more to the abuse against children walk. By participating in events like these the pearls develop an understanding that their voice matters and they can make changes in the world. The pearls participated in workshops on self-love, mental health, maintaining a healthy life and obesity prevention and an etiquette class on social interaction. They also participated in a cake decorating class where they learned cake decorating techniques, and about entrepreneurship and how to become their own boss. With these workshops the pearls were able to learn skills that will help them in their daily lives. We also had the pearls participate in self-defense classes where they were able to learn basic techniques to protect themselves on a daily basis. As education is an important part of the pearls program the girls show how important their education is to them and how their dedication and focus on school work they can accomplish their goals. We had 7 girls graduate from jhs and 3 girls graduate elementary. With the pearls being focused on education several of them received acknowledgments of achievement and certificates for their grades such as honor roll, high honor roll and principals list that was received by one of our high school seniors who also got accepted into 7 colleges and counting.

Year round youth program:the year round youth program is a program for youth ages 14-24. The program provides youth with barriers such as low income/poverty, homelessness, dropouts, offender status, english language learners and pregnant or parenting youth the opportunity to accomplish their goals. The focus of the program is to provide life and work readiness skills, resources, and mentoring to assist the youth in obtaining employment. The program serves both in school and out of school youth. During 2024 we were able to assist 50 youth between the ages of 14-24 accomplish their goals. The youth participate in a 6 week job readiness program where they are able to obtain skills such as resume prep and building, learning ones passion and purpose, interview techniques, time management and some basic life skills. At the end of the job readiness program the youth participated in work experience where they worked in different departments throughout the building under supervision of the department staff. They were able to obtain work experience in our senior program, housing department, childcare and shelter. With this program we were able to assist the youth in obtaining occupational skills training such as security guard training, osha, ekg and phlebotomy training, cna and hha training, and dental assistant training. We partnered with different organizations that provided these training for our youth. The youth participated in group discussions where they were able to use the skills they learned and focus on the changes they needed to make in order to be successful in life. The youth attended job fairs and were able to successfully obtain employment using the skills they developed in the workforce program. The program coordinators provide follow-up services with the youth throughout the year to ensure the youth are staying on a positive path and are able to obtain the resources they need to assist them. Gvp program:during 2024 our gvp (gun violence prevention program) geared towards 18-24 year old youth who live in yonkers served 47 youth. The zip codes affected are 10701, 10703,10704,10705,10710 that were determined by nys to be gun violence impacted. In the gvp program we assisted the youth in obtaining employment or completing an occupational training. The gvp program was able to assist the youth within the affected zip codes and provide them with opportunities to better their lives. We had guest speaker graffiti/gang specialist come in and conduct weekly workshops with the clients and talk about the importance the youth have in the community and the positive ways they can live a better life. He spoke about his role in the community and how his career path led him to where he is today. His workshops gave the clients a different outlook on the path of possibly pursuing a career in law enforcement. We had 31 youth obtain employment and 16 youth obtain an occupational training certification in cna, osha, security and ekg and phlebotomy. The goal was to have the youth obtain certifications that can lead to long term employment/careers. Health care workforce:ywca health care workforce advancement program enrolled 117 participants from july 2023 to may 2024. The participants participated in our daily group sessions, discussions and workshops facilitated by our program coordinators nicole dowdy and star hendrix. The session consist of soft skill training; conflict resolution, time management, goals and identifying ones passion and purpose. The participants engaged in workshops facilitated by power to plan, farmerscares,bar-tendaz giant thinking, and ken davis ms. The workshops consisted of financial literacy, healthy eating habits and the importance of a healthy mind and body.the staff from the medical training schools vns, wsmda, the big apple training inc. And empress academy came to discuss the different medical training they offer. They also spoke about the high demand of the employment opportunities in the medical field. The participants participated in several job fairs here at the ywca of yonkers and other originations throughout the westchester county area. In the course from july 2023 - may 2024 the program has 37 participant who are working, 26 participants in medical trainings and 11 who has completed medical trainings, 66 participants completed 6 weeks of soft skill training and 59 participants completed 3 weeks of work experience. We had 4 participants who completed the phlebotomy/ekg course and received their medca certification. We anticipate having 26 more participants complete training this year. Senior program:ywca senior nutrition program serves approximately 25 seniors. We serve as a vital resource center helping seniors navigate the sometimes confusing network of services available to them. We provide referrals for available community services to complement our on-site services. Regular program activities include exercise, bingo, movies, arts & crafts, music and computer, and activities that promote healthy lifestyles and preventive care.