YWCA NorthEastern NY

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YWCA NorthEastern NY 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline:
518-374-3386

Dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women

YWCA NENY is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA achieves this mission through comprehensive domestic violence support services, racial equality initiatives, affordable housing, early learning education, and more.

The Things We Don’t See: A Closer Look at Intimate Partner Violence Empowerment Breakfast - Meet Our PanelistsWe are thr...
10/13/2026

The Things We Don’t See: A Closer Look at Intimate Partner Violence Empowerment Breakfast - Meet Our Panelists

We are thrilled and honored to have YWCA NorthEastern NY's Wendi Gapczynski as a panelist on The Things We Don’t See: A Closer Look at Intimate Partner Violence During Domestic Violence Awareness Month on October 29th at The Edison Club in Rexford, NY from 9:00am - 11:30am.

Wendi is a Certified National Instructor on Domestic Violence with extensive experience in victim advocacy. Wendi’s training ensures that she remains up to date on all necessary legal and government requirements, to best support domestic violence victim’s healing in a safe and effective way. She has provided numerous group and individualized training, in addition to consultant work, in order to spread awareness of domestic violence.

Wendi currently serves as the Director of Shelter, Advocacy and DV Education for YWCA NorthEastern NY, where she has been a dedicated team member since 2003. While working with YWCA NENY, Wendi assisted with the implementation of the Schenectady County Intimate Partner Violence Lethality Assessment team, that reviews and examines high-risk domestic violence cases. She has also assisted in developing and growing the relationship between the YWCA NorthEastern NY and the Schenectady County law enforcement, and other emergency management departments to help domestic violence victims and their families.

Outside of the YWCA, Wendi serves as a Commissioner for the East Glenville Fire Department. She is a certified instructor through FEMA and the National Pro-Board System, and has provided trainings to organizations regarding emergency response topics throughout the United States. Wendi is a member of Zonta Club of Schenectady working towards a goal of improving the status of women through advocacy.

Wendi, in her free time enjoys spending time with her amazingly, supportive family. Her favorite time is spent relaxing, while cruising with her partner Clem and their pup Gizzy on their boat.

Join us for a meaningful morning of connection, conversation, and deeper understanding of the realities of intimate partner violence in our community: https://www.ywca-neny.org/empowermentbreakfast/

YOUTH & TEEN DATING DISCUSSIONS: RED FLAGSA "red flag" in dating are warning signs of unhealthy behaviors that can lead ...
10/13/2026

YOUTH & TEEN DATING DISCUSSIONS: RED FLAGS

A "red flag" in dating are warning signs of unhealthy behaviors that can lead to toxic or abusive relationships. Poor conflict resolution, inconsistency, disrespecting boundaries and more are some examples of common dating red flags. But when discussing relationships with a teen or youth in your life, identifying red flags that are signs of or precursors to physical abuse is incredibly important. These exertions of power and control do not just come as physical violence first. Red flags to discuss with your teen include:

- Jealousy
- Possessiveness
- Insults
- Accusations
- Yelling
- Humiliation
- Pulling hair
- Pushing
- Other negative and/or physically threatening behaviors

By helping identify red flags with the youth in your life early on, their foundation for healthy relationships later in life is more solid. With discussions like these, they are able to develop the autonomy to identify these negative behaviors, both currently and in the future.

YWCA NENY's Teen and Youth ViolencePrevention Program is designed to create safe spaces for the youth in our community. The programs help students work on building confidence and self-esteem, learn the signs of healthy vs unhealthy relationships, have discussions around mental health challenges, work on finding their voice, and promote self-discovery and expression.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ywca-neny.org/teen-youth-programs/

*Source: NYSCADV.org

10/12/2026

YWCA NorthEastern NY is dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of every member of our community of survivors and their families.

Living at YWCA NENY means so many things to so many of the individuals who walk through our doors, whether it be for our housing program or our Empowerment, Healing & Wellness Center shelter.

We are committed to providing trauma-informed domestic violence support services with empathy, compassion including a 24/7/365 hotline at 518.374.3386,
counseling, advocacy, affording housing and accessible childcare.

We cannot do this life-saving mission work without you. Please consider donating today and giving the gift of safety to so many: https://www.ywca-neny.org/dvamdonations/

Video: Timber Reel Productions

The traditions and practices of Indigenous nations are sacred to this land. This we honor the perspectives, teachings,...
10/12/2026

The traditions and practices of Indigenous nations are sacred to this land.

This we honor the perspectives, teachings, and ongoing contributions of Native peoples and stand in solidarity against the continued legacy of discrimination, marginalization, and violence perpetuated against communities.

At YWCA, our global mission is to empower women and girls. We believe that every girl should live in a world that will a...
10/11/2026

At YWCA, our global mission is to empower women and girls. We believe that every girl should live in a world that will allow them to thrive – not just survive.

For this year’s , we’re calling attention to the fact that child marriage, which often creates significant barriers to education, financial knowledge, independence and significantly increases the risk of experiencing domestic violence, is only prohibited with no exceptions in 17 states.

We all have a charge to protect girls and ensure that they can create the future they deserve. Support our mission today to help us continue to raise awareness and call for action: https://www.ywca-neny.org/dvamdonations/

Thank you to Aqueduct Animal Hospital for their generous donation to our Red Rover program at our Empowerment, Healing &...
10/10/2026

Thank you to Aqueduct Animal Hospital for their generous donation to our Red Rover program at our Empowerment, Healing & Wellness Center. We are now able to serve our cats and dogs in our shelter even better thanks to their kindness and generosity.

Thank you, Aqueduct!

Maria Hinojosa is a trailblazing journalist and the founder of Latino USA, a powerful platform amplifying Latino voices,...
10/10/2026

Maria Hinojosa is a trailblazing journalist and the founder of Latino USA, a powerful platform amplifying Latino voices, stories, and issues across America. Her journalism highlights social justice, immigration, and cultural identity, fostering understanding and inclusion. Maria’s work continues to shape the narrative around Latino communities.

EARLY LEARNING CENTER ENROLLMENT FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS STILL OPEN!YWCA NENY's Early Learning Centers are now enrollin...
10/09/2026

EARLY LEARNING CENTER ENROLLMENT FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS STILL OPEN!

YWCA NENY's Early Learning Centers are now enrolling infants and toddlers!
Our Early Learning Center programs provide child care for the community in two locations – St. George’s Episcopal Church in the Stockade, and Schenectady County Community College. We offer care for children 6 weeks – 5 years.

Our SCCC campus also has school-age care programs for winter, spring and summer breaks. Early head start program for qualifying families for 6 weeks to 36 months at Main Campus site.

If you are interested in learning more or are looking to start the enrollment process, please call 518.374.3394 ext. 101 or email [email protected].

THE THINGS WE DON'T SEE: A CLOSER LOOK AT INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE - MEET OUR PANELISTSWe are honored to have Barbara N...
10/09/2026

THE THINGS WE DON'T SEE: A CLOSER LOOK AT INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE - MEET OUR PANELISTS

We are honored to have Barbara Norton as one of our panelists for The Things We Don't See: A Closer Look at Intimate Partner Violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month on October 29th from 9:00am - 11:30am at The Edison Club in Rexford, NY.

Barbara is an advocate, educator, survivor, and writer whose personal mission focuses on coercive control, intimate partner violence, and empowering women affected by abuse. She brings a unique combination of lived experience, professional training, public service, and leadership to her community efforts. She holds a Master of Science in Community Education from Cornell University and has served on numerous nonprofit boards of directors and community action groups. Barbara is committed to helping individuals and communities recognize the often-hidden dynamics of coercive control and develop effective, empowering approaches to supporting those experiencing abuse.

Join us for a meaningful morning of connection, conversation, and deeper understanding of the realities of intimate partner violence in our community.

Learn more about our panelists and the event and register today: https://www.ywca-neny.org/empowermentbreakfast/

Throwback to last night at our Songs for Safety: Karaoke Kickoff for Domestic Violence Awareness Month!We had SO much fu...
10/08/2026

Throwback to last night at our Songs for Safety: Karaoke Kickoff for Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

We had SO much fun singing our hearts out, laughing, getting our tarot cards read, making Take Back The Night signs, participating in great raffle prizes, and most of all-- coming together as community to promote and celebrate our mission work of eliminating racism and empowering women. Our own Sabrina Matis, Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator, spoke about the importance of this year's Domestic Violence Awareness Month theme: Rising Together: Centering Young Voices to End Gender-Based Violence.

Thank you to all of our board members, volunteers and staff that made this night possible. Big thank you to Frog Alley Brewing for providing the space, and to DJ Tim Sokol of A Venue for providing the tunes.

Thank you to Pursuit , Rivers Casino Schenectady, and all of our sponsors for giving us the ability to continue to raise awareness for YWCA NENY and for being wonderful community partners who have a deep dedication to our mission.

And last but certainly not least, thank you so much to everyone who got up their and sang their hearts out to music spanning all genres. It was a beautiful sight to see people get out there and truly be themselves. It was such a wonderful night, and we couldn't do this work without all of YOU!

Thank you to everyone who made this happen-- we are beyond grateful for every single one of you.

Make sure to check out the other events we have planned for Domestic Violence Awareness Month at https://www.ywca-neny.org/dvam26events/

Can't attend? You can make a direct donation at https://www.ywca-neny.org/dvamdonations/

Address

44 Washington Avenue
Schenectady, NY
12305

Telephone

+15183743394

Website

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