Operation Healthy Family Spokane

04/17/2026

Great opportunity if you are looking for a job!

Join us for a McKinstry open house and hiring event April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m.

03/04/2026

We are so honored and humbled to share that Dr. Gloria Aston-Baynes is this year's Lifetime Achievement honoree! The Lifetime Achievement award is our highest honor, reserved for women whose lifetime of work exemplifies leadership and unwavering commitment to eliminating racism and empowering women. Dr. Baynes has shaped our community in profound ways, and we cannot wait to celebrate her remarkable work with you this Friday! Learn more at: ywcaspokane.org/woa

Dr. Gloria Aston-Baynes has devoted her life to education, equity, and empowerment. Raised in a small town outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she has called Spokane home for more than thirty years. Dr. Baynes began her career teaching English in Spokane Public Schools, where she served in multiple roles before retiring in 2013. Her work emphasized literacy as a tool for advocacy and self-determination, particularly for students from marginalized communities. Today, she continues to shape minds as an Adjunct Professor in Eastern Washington University’s Africana Studies Program, where she has taught for 12 years and serves as the department’s liaison and mentor for the College in the High School Program.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Baynes is deeply rooted in service. Guided by Shirley Chisholm’s words, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth,” she has spent decades working with organizations that uplift youth and dismantle systemic racism. Her greatest passion lies in mentoring young women—especially African American women, women of color, and women with disabilities—providing resources and guidance to help them access opportunities and thrive.

Through numerous organizations and initiatives, her leadership guides young women toward academic excellence and career readiness. Dr. Bayne's influence extends to countless community initiatives, from mentoring educators and organizing financial-aid workshops to hosting cultural events and feeding unhoused neighbors.

Even in retirement, she continues to mentor, teach, and advocate, demonstrating humility and steadfast dedication.

Dr. Baynes’s life work embodies the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Through education, advocacy, and service, she has opened doors for generations, challenging inequities and creating pathways for success. Her legacy is one of resilience, leadership, and love—a testament to her belief that every child deserves a level playing field and every woman deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Read Dr. Bayne's full bio at: ywcaspokane.org/2026honorees

03/02/2026

01/21/2026

01/19/2026

Lil Dribblers Camp coming in April on Saturday Mornings TBA.

01/07/2026

Let Freedom Ring!

01/05/2026

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Gloria Baynes, a respected OHF Board Member, on her nomination for the YWCA Women of Achievement Award. Dr. Baynes has consistently demonstrated her commitment to education and the welfare of Spokane's youth.

12/04/2025

We urgently need cold-weather gear for children in our community! Your donations will help us purchase gloves, mittens, boots, and coats to support children in need. Please visit https://www.teenkidcloset.org/donate to donate.

Here are other ways to help:

We need more volunteers. Please visit Teen & Kid Closet and see the volunteer tab: https://www.teenkidcloset.org/volunteer-form. Click on this link for our complete Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/y33zsvvh. You can drop off clothing donations at any First Interstate Bank location in Spokane during business hours.

12/04/2025

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