YWCA NETN and SWVA TechGYRLS

05/12/2026

We have several donation opportunities left for this summer! Help our girls make this summer camp one to remember.

04/30/2026

Please consider donating so our students can have a fun filled summer!!

👉🏻👉🏻We Need Your Help!👈🏻👈🏻

Our YWCA NETN and SWVA TechGYRLS have planned out a fantastic list of summer outings and are in need of the funds to implement them! Would you consider donating to help them enjoy these activities? 🙏🏻

We've posted here the cost per outing for the planned field trips. Take a look and see what you might like to support. You don't have to donate the full amount for a trip (unless you want to!). Any amount will be helpful and and will go toward creating not only excellent learning opportunities but wonderful memories these gyrls will hold for a lifetime! 🥰

👉🏻 Donate here: https://www.ywcatnva.org/techgyrls/

We're grateful for your assistance!

01/26/2026

Please note that our main campus on State Street will be operating on a delayed schedule tomorrow, Monday, January 26.

⭐ Childcare on a 3-hour delay
⭐ Building and administrative offices opening at 10:00 a.m.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will make additional changes if necessary. Thank you for your understanding.

Stay safe!

01/21/2026

Last week, TechGYRLS finished up their Winter Performance Tour with Symphony of the Mountains (Official)! We took our recorder repertoire on the road to American House Bristol, Brookdale Bristol, and Bristol Regional Medical Center to spread joy in the community.

Our girls performed for dozens of people over the last month, and it is always rewarding to see their hard work and dedication pay off! Not only is it fun, it's also proven that learning to play an instrument like the recorder engages multiple areas of the brain simultaneously, linking reading, listening, and physical action, fostering overall brain growth.

We are so thankful for our partnership with SOTM and for our instructor, Ms. Kaylyn Shearer and the way she loves, cares for, inspires, and teaches our TechGYRLS. We can't wait to see what's in store for the spring semester!

01/15/2026

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

As part of this observance, TechGYRLS participated in the Red Sand Project. First launched in 2014 by Molly Gochman, the Red Sand Project is an art-based activity that helps bring attention to human trafficking and the importance of prevention.

TechGYRLS first learned about the project, its purpose, and its impact. Through thoughtful discussion and reflection, they learned about empathy, community awareness, and looking out for one another.

After the lesson, we ventured outside to fill the sidewalk cracks with red sand (provided by Sullivan County Regional Health Department)- a visual representation of support and recognition of individuals that are constantly overlooked or ignored. The girls spent time writing affirmations next to their red sand in hopes of striking up conversation with those that notice it.

This experience allowed our TechGYRLS to see how small, thoughtful actions can spark awareness and conversation. We are proud of their openness, compassion, and commitment to being mindful members of their community.
❤️

01/13/2026

TechGYRLS entered the new year kicking and screaming... with a RAD class, of course!

Ms. Sharon, Ms. Caitlin, and Ms. Laura spent time with our girls teaching them self defense and personal safety basics. Read on to see what TechGYRL Mikayla has to say about their class.

"They taught us how to say, 'no,' with our voice and how to punch and kick. They taught you how you can break free if someone gets you by the arms. It's important to learn things like this because it helps me stay safe when I go out. I think everyone should take a self defense class so they can stay safe, too. Thank you Ms. Sharon, Ms. Caitlin, and Ms. Laura for coming to teach us self defense. I appreciate you!"
-Mikayla, 11

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at TechGYRLS!
❤️💚
May your day be filled with joy, light, and love.

12/24/2025

Christmas at TechGYRLS is about so much more than gifts.

It’s about the laughter that fills the room, the smiles that linger long after the wrapping paper is gone, and the feeling of being seen, valued, and cared for. Because of our incredibly generous donors, our TechGYRLS experienced the magic of Christmas in a way that will stay with us all far beyond this season.

A heartfelt thank-you to J.A. Street & Associates, Inc for the beautiful handmade stockings filled with such thoughtful goodies, and to everyone who gave so selflessly to make this day possible. The joy was undeniable, not just for the girls, but for the staff who have the privilege of walking alongside them every day.

Moments like these remind us what Christmas is truly about: love, generosity, connection, and the simple but powerful joy of showing up for one another. And for that, our hearts are full.

12/23/2025

🎵Our TechGYRLS choir truly shined and helped usher in the Christmas season during their choir concert last week!

🎼Under the guidance of Ms. Jane from the Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy the girls performed a beautiful mix of new music, creative mashups, and classic carols. Having a voice in choosing what they sang made them even more excited, and it showed.

🎄Their voices filled the room with warmth and joy, helping everyone truly feel the Christmas spirit. So many audience members shared that they felt chills or found themselves teary-eyed, moved by both the music and the growth of these girls. We couldn’t be more proud.

💚We are so thankful for Ms. Jane and her incredible leadership with our TechGYRLS choir. Her encouragement, patience, and passion for music created a space where the girls felt confident, excited, and proud of what they accomplished.

12/15/2025

🎄Our annual trip to Bristol Motor Speedway in Lights was a success!

🎅🏻Our TechGYRLS enjoyed a Chick-fil-A The Pinnacle dinner, marveled at the lights (some of them for the first time!) and enjoyed activities in the Christmas Village. Read on to see what TechGYRL Emmi has to say about her experience.

🎁"Speedway in Lights was very pretty because I got to see so many beautiful kinds of lights. It was amazing! I've never seen anything like it. My favorite was probably the ones with little motions, like the fish leaping; there was also reindeer flying and pulling a sleigh. I also really liked taking a picture with Santa!
I would like to thank Tennessee Valley Authority for powering the lights! The TechGYRLS had a partnership with them before, and we had a lot of fun learning with them. It was really cool to see that someone we know has given us a great service for the holidays!
People should go to the lights because it's a great thing to do with family to explore holiday cheer; it's a nice outing!"
-Emmi, 13