YWCA NorthEastern NY

06/06/2026

Today marks the beginning of Weekend, honoring the life of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton who was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. After this tragic event, Hadiya's family and friends began to commemorate her life by wearing the color orange -- the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.

not only honors the life of Hadiya, it honors and brings awareness to the 130 people killed via gun violence every day in the United States, as well as those wounded and those whose lives have been forever changed by gun violence.

Today we honor and remember Hadiya and all who have lost their lives due to senseless violence. YWCA NorthEastern NY stands in solidarity with their loved ones, and we will continue to carry the memories and legacies of those we have lost.

06/06/2026

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT YWCA NENY? ✨

At the end of May, our Early Learning Center kiddos and staff got to meet some new furry friends during the farm animal petting zoo! They got to hold bunnies and chickens while petting a very sweet pony.

We love everything our amazing ELC leaders and teachers do to make sure their students have a well-rounded education filled with both knowledge and fun.

Thank you for all you do for our future history makers, ELC team! 🧡

06/05/2026

Today, June 5th, marks the 12th Annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day, happening every year on the first Friday in June and starts Wear Orange Weekend.

On this day, we held our Annual Ceremony of Remembrance for Homicide Victims in Schenectady's Central Park Rose Garden with Parents of Murdered Children, where we paid respects to those who have passed due to violence.

Each year, we lose more and more lives to violence and homicide. Each year, we come together to share space with their families and loved ones as we speak the names of those we’ve lost and listen to stories about what made each of these humans so special.

This list of names is harrowing and unfortunately, always growing. It is up to us to stand up for violence and remember the lives of those we have lost. YWCA NorthEastern NY stands proudly in solidarity with the families and loved ones of those we have lost to the tragedy of homicide.

Thank you to all those who shared the stories of those they lost. We see you and support you as we continue in our mission to work towards eliminating violence of all sorts.

We remember you.

06/05/2026

YWCA NENY SPRING/SUMMER '26 MISSION MERCH POP-UP COLLECTION OUT NOW! 🧡✨

Want to support your local community and look great doing it? Grab your YWCA NENY Mission Merch from our Spring/Summer 2026 pop-up collection!

Our mission is in the fabric of everything we do, and if you love our mission just as much as we do, get your orders in ASAP -- the shop closes Wednesday, June 10th!

Shop now: https://www.ywca-neny.org/merch/ 👕

**All orders must be picked up at 40 Washington Avenue, Schenectady NY. Please wait 5-10 business days for arrival. Please contact Courtney at [email protected] with any questions.

06/04/2026

Reminder: Join Parents of Murdered Children & Other Survivors (POMC) and YWCA NENY for the Annual Ceremony of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, taking place tomorrow, Friday, June 5th at 12pm in the Central Park Rose Garden.

Let's unite to honor the memories of those who have tragically lost their lives to violence in our community. Your presence is a powerful way to show support, share space, and pay tribute to their lives.

06/04/2026

YWCA NENY NEW BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: LEILA SEARS ✨

We are thrilled to welcome Leila Sears to our Board of Directors at YWCA NENY!

Leila was born and raised in Albany, New York and graduated from The College of Saint Rose with a Master's Degree in Master of Science in Education. Leila has her NYS Credential in Addiction and has been working in the field of Substance Abuse and Mental Health for over 30 years. Currently, Leila is a NYS Program Reviewer.

Her goal is to transform the power of healing in our community and help our community to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all walks of life. As a member of a Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. within the Capital District area, she continues to collaborate and partner with local organizations within the Capital District Area.

Welcome, Leila! 🧡

06/03/2026

Join The 1888 Collective Today!

Become part of a vibrant community of monthly donors dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. Your recurring gift provides a stable foundation for YWCA to serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through domestic violence support services, affordable housing, early childhood education, economic empowerment, and more.

Become a force for good today by visiting https://www.ywca-neny.org/monthly-giving/ 🧡

06/03/2026

YWCA NENY NEW BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: BRIONNA NEAL ✨

We are so excited to welcome Brionna Neal to our Board of Directors! A proud Schenectady native, Brionna attended the Schenectady City School District before graduating from Clemson University. She currently works for the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG), where she supports initiatives that promote ethics, accountability, and transparency across New York State. Inspired by the needs of those around her, Brionna is passionate about creating positive change and expanding opportunities that empower individuals and strengthen communities.

Welcome Brionna! 🧡

06/02/2026

Paint Your Partner Fundraiser: YWCA NENY x Thrifty Connections!

Get ready to trade your usual game night for a canvas! Join us for a hilarious and unforgettable evening where friends, family, co-workers, and couples come together to paint each other for laughs, not for perfection. We’ll provide all the paint, canvases, and a couple of creative drawing games to keep the fun (and the laughter!) going all night long.

A portion of the proceeds from this special event will benefit the programs and services of YWCA NorthEastern NY, supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence, racial justice initiatives, youth programs, and community empowerment efforts throughout our region.

Held on Juneteenth, this event carries an even deeper meaning. Juneteenth commemorates freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equity and justice, values that are deeply rooted in YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. In the spirit of connection, creativity, and seeing one another fully, this playful portrait class reminds us that community is built through laughter, shared experiences, and celebrating the unique perspectives each person brings to the canvas.

Tickets are VERY limited, so secure your spot today: https://thriftyconnections.com/event/paint-your-partner-ywca-fundraiser/ -tickets__tickets-form

06/02/2026

Presented by our friends at Rotterdam Community Center, Schenectady County Food Council, NYS Poor People's Campaign, Nonviolent Medicaid Army, National Union of the Homeless, and Messiah Lutheran Church is the Food and Poverty Speakout with special guest Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, happening on Thursday, June 11th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2850 Guilderland Ave, Schenectady, NY.

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Join Schenectady Community Advocates and Leaders as they share their stories and experiences of poverty and struggle to build the unity and organization we need to END POVERTY!

Joined by author and Executive Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, and Co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival: Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis! Join for an evening of building power with our neighbors to FIGHT POVERTY, NOT THE POOR!

Please register at https://bit.ly/PovertySpeakout2026

Join Schenectady Community Advocates and Leaders for an evening of storytelling, solidarity, and action as we share our experiences with poverty and struggle. Together, we will lift up the plight, fight, and insight of poor and dispossessed communities while building the unity and organization needed to END POVERTY.

We are honored to be joined by Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, author, Executive Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights & Social Justice, and Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.

📍 Messiah Lutheran Church; 2850 Guilderland Ave Schenectady, NY
🍽 Dinner served at 6:00 PM (2nd floor with lift access)
🎤 Main program begins at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary

This is an accessible building with gender-neutral restrooms and audio amplification available. Please share any additional accessibility needs in the registration form.

Register here: https://bit.ly/PovertySpeakout2026

Sponsored by the Rotterdam Community Center, Schenectady County Food Council, NYS Poor People’s Campaign, Nonviolent Medicaid Army, National Union of the Homeless, and Messiah Lutheran Church.

Let’s build power with our neighbors to FIGHT POVERTY, NOT THE POOR.