The Helping Hand

December Edition 2019

The History of the YWCA and Its Services

By: Carly Andersen -----Ways to Help----
Every 92 seconds, an Amer- having a night of fun allows teams
ican is sexually assaulted. Who is to raise money for the YWCA and - Check out our wish list on our
helping this outstanding problem? testing their knowledge. As well as website to see what items we are
In 1855, an organization called the promoting other local businesses looking for.
Young Women’s Christian Associ- who share values of the YWCA.
ation was created, and they are the Finally, the last annual event that - Use our AmazonSmile code
ones helping. Although the statistic they put on is the Circle of Women, when ordering through Ama-
was not nearly as high as it is now which is the most successful every zon to give .5% of your purcahse
in 1855, the YWCA was already year. Women bring in other wom- to the YWCA McLean.
one step ahead for helping women en from their “circle” and they cel-
and survivors cope with the life ex- ebrate and empower each other. - Donate online through our
periences that they have occurred. The YWCA has many website.
The YWCA has since created things to offer, and being a non-
many programs that have been profit is incredible. People from - Volunteer your time to help cre-
beneficial to those who have expe- all walks of life come in and out of ate the new space for Labyrinth.
rienced sexual assault first hand. their doors seeking assistance in
Being a nonprofit, there is only so different ways, which makes you - Join us at our Annual Circle of
much that they can do with the re- think, what am I doing to help other Women on February 21, 2020.
sources that they have. However, people? The YWCA allows others
the YWCA does incredible things to come in and help those in need
to ensure that they can help every- within their community in a way
one who walks through their door. that you might not believe they
Every year they have three need help with. Stepping Stones
annual fundraisers that the YWCA is one of the largest segments of
put on, one of which is Women of the YWCA, a sexual assault ho- --------------------------------------
Distinction. This event is one that tline. Recently they created their Follow our Social Media
other women can nominate each own phone number, eliminating Accounts!
other to be a Woman of Distinc- the chance of the survivor having
tion. This is a luncheon and it is a to tell their story more than once. Facebook: @YWCA McLean County
great honor to receive the awards “Last year, we reached more than Twitter: @YWCAMcLean
that are given at this event. As this 21,000 individuals in McLean Instagram: @ywcamcleancounty
is a nonprofit, the YWCA never County and served a record-high Pintrest: @ywcamclean
directly asks for donations from 297 sexual assault survivors and WordPress: @ ywcamcleanblog
those attending but it is strongly their loved ones,” said marketing
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suggested to help keep their ser- director, Christy Germanis, of the
vices working. The next annual YWCA. There is more to do in
event that the YWCA puts on is this world to serve other people
Trivia Night, which is a much light- than you can imagine. What are
er fundraiser. As trivia is a thing of you doing to support the YWCA?
fun and games for a great cause,

YWCAMcLean.org
A look into our Supporters
Monthly Sponsor Shout Out!
By: Carly Andersen

This month’s shout out goes to Thrive Cause-

metics. Thrive Causemetics is a company that was
created by Karissa Bodnar, when her dear friend
Kristy passed from cancer at age 24. Bodnar want-
ed to find a way to honor her friend by empowering
other women going through similar circumstances.
Creating Thrive Causemetics, was something Bod-
nar felt passionate about.
Now for every purchase that is made, Thrive
Causemetics donates to a woman in need. Thrive • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Causemetics has graciously donated over $50,000
of makeup to support the women who come to the
Labyrinth Services Uplifted
YWCA for their services. Specifically helping the
women through Labyrinth, a little makeup can go a
long way. Thank you Thrive Causemetics! by Generous Grant
By: Carly Andersen
Labyrinth is one of the services that the
YWCA offers that specifically targets pre-
viously incarcerated women. Helping those
women get back on their feet and support
themselves during the transition from being
CEO of Thrive Causemetics, incarcerated to being in the community again.
Karisa Bodnar Through a generous grant of $800,000 the
YWCA is in full action to making this program
even better than before. The starting project is
Leaders of the month recreating a space within the YWCA build-
ing to be more suitable for the women using
the services. Creating a safe space where these
women can get together and empower each
other within the same environment, wheth-
er is it classes on how to interview, a place to
hold business casual clothing for the wom-
Hilary Pacha en to wear on interviews and so much more.
Kara Alt
Director of Labyrinth Senior director of Prevention
and Empowerment Services
Through this grant, Labyrinth is pro-
Kara has done an outstanding Hilary has done, and coninues jected to have many great things go-
job of ensuring the positive to go an amazing job and ensur-
progression of services provid- ing the success of the Preven- ing for them. Congratulations ladies, we
ed through Labyrinth! Thanks tion and Empowerment Services! can’t wait to see what you have in store.
for your hard work Kara! Thanks for your hard work Hilary!

YWCAMcLean.org