Save the Date for our 2024 Circle Event!
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
Time: 11:30am-1pm
Location: The Diamond Room at Ceruti's Catering, 6601 Innovation Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Theme: Breaking Barriers with Confidence, Comforts, and Care
Download our 2024 Sponsorship Packet
We want to invite you to come together with us as a community for this year’s Circle Event, “Breaking Barriers with Confidence, Comforts, and Care.” Local survivors will bravely tell their stories and reflect on their past, letting others know it is possible to overcome barriers to experience a better day. Alongside the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, we will have other experts address the top barriers preventing someone from escaping domestic violence. A staff member from the YWCA will also share the services that we offer to equip and empower individuals in a domestic violence situation to break barriers. Additionally, those who no longer wish to be bystanders will be provided with ways in which they can provide support to those who deserve a more beautiful day!
Circle 2024
Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 11:30-1pm
If you would like to commit to hosting a table at our 2024 event, please contact Emily McCorkle at emccorkle@ywcaerew.org
Host a Table
Will you host a table at YWCA’s Circle Event? As a Table Captain, you would simply invite members of your network to join you at the luncheon, and to help influence support for YWCA.
Last year alone, we served 754 adults with one-on-one domestic violence advocacy, the highest ever in our agency’s history. As a powerful and influential person, we are asking that you and your tribe help make all the difference in raising life-saving dollars for those fleeing from domestic violence.
Table Captains are standouts because they are integral to the success of Circle and have the goal to (literally) bring people to the table who would be willing to learn more about YWCA’s mission and make a financial contribution to support YWCA’s domestic violence services. Learn more about hosting a table here.
To use your power of one and host a table, please contact Emily at emccorkle@ywcaerew.org. Each table seats eight and tickets to Circle are $100 a piece. Shared tables can be accommodated as well.
Become a Sustaining Circle Donor
Our clients come to us from domestic violence situations, often fleeing crises inside their homes. When they arrive at our crisis shelter, Bonnie’s House, clients find a circle of support that includes one-on-one advocacy services, onsite therapy, housing coordination, support groups, services for children, and more.
Will you join this circle of support by making your gift as a member of our Sustaining Circle? All Sustaining Circle donors will be recognized at the event if gifts are received by Monday, October 2 and your donation includes registration to this year’s event. Please contact Emily McCorkle, Engagement Coordinator, at emccorkle@ywcaerew.org with your pledge or any questions.
Advocate: $3,000+ Visionary: $1,500 – $2,999 Leader: $1,000 – $1,499 Partner: $500 – $999
Give online here.
If you prefer to donate by check, please make your check out to “YWCA Northeast Indiana” with “Circle Donation” on the memo line, and mail it to:
YWCA Northeast Indiana
Attn: Kara Gruss
5920 Decatur Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
Find more ways to give to YWCA here!
The Peggy Hobbs Service Award began in 1977 with the intent to honor a woman of outstanding personal development, achievement, and dedication as a volunteer. YWCA Northeast Indiana continues Peggy’s legacy by presenting the Peggy Hobbs Service Award to a woman who embodies the passion, commitment, and dedication of Peggy Hobbs at YWCA’s annual Circle event.
Pictured: Pictured: Dottie Davis, Kimberly Koczan (2023 Peggy Hobbs Award Recipients), and Paula Hughes-Schuh (CEO, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
To nominate someone for the 2024 Peggy Hobbs Award, please fill out this form by July 31, 2024.
Showcase your company’s community values with an event sponsorship!
Email Emily at emccorkle@ywcaerew.org if you are interested in sponsoring our 2024 event. View our 2024 Sponsorship Packet.
Sponsors are not required to fill any or all of the seats at their table(s). YWCA is happy to help sponsor their table(s) and will work with sponsors ahead of the event to ensure table seats are able to be filled. Please contact Patty Dunn at pdunn@ywcaerew.org for more information!
*New* Sponsorship Showcase: Take advantage of highlighting your company’s support by having a representative speak at the event as a Dignity Sponsor! Our top sponsorship level offers prominent recognition in our newsletter and on our main event page, premier table location, and free registration for 16 guests! Be sure to connect with our audience of 400 guests from diverse industries and business audiences. Together we will support our local community and businesses dedicated to the YWCA’s vision to empower individuals, support families, and unite communities to improve the quality of life.
Thank you to our 2023 top level Dignity Sponsor:
Circle began 27 years ago with a group of women who had an idea to raise funds for YWCA’s domestic violence shelter. They wanted 100 women to come together and each donate $100 in support of YWCA’s domestic violence services. At that time in the late 90s, few believed that women had the financial capital to come together and put on a successful fundraising event. The doubters were proved wrong: Circle was immensely successful and continued on as a women-only fundraising event for at least a decade. In the mid-2000s, men were invited to join Circle for the first time.
The goal of Circle has always been and continues to be to provide a circle of financial support for individuals and their children experiencing domestic violence in northeast Indiana. Circle raises both awareness and funds for YWCA’s life changing domestic violence services.
Pictured: 2023 Circle Steering Committee and Event Volunteers
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Expect:
- An inspiring showcase of YWCA’s domestic violence program and impact on todays pressing issues and longtime community needs
- Networking with other supporters, community leaders, and business leaders passionate about taking action to make a difference in our community
- Honor the recipient of our Peggy Hobbs Award
- An exciting Paddle Raiser Auction to fuel our important work to eliminate racism and empower women led by Mitch McKinney
Mitch McKinney will take us through different donation levels and guests will “raise their paddles” to contribute money.
How do I bid in the Paddle Raiser?
Get ready for the fun part of the event! Join our Paddle Raiser auction to donate to YWCA Northeast Indiana and help us reach our fundraising goal for the evening. Your support is what fuels our programs and services, and we could never do what we do without your help!
Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)
YWCA uses The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) credits with the goal to increase funds for Sustaining Circle Donations. To fulfill this objective, we will be awarding credits to those who increase their gift over their most recent Sustaining Circle donation. Your increased gift will be instrumental in helping us meet the demand for domestic violence services, and your gift would be eligible for NAP credits on a first come, first serve basis.
Employee Matching
A matching gift program is a kind of corporate philanthropy in which a company’s charitable contribution “matches” that of its employees. Employee donation matching programs often have eligibility rules. They might be open to all employees, but matching gift guidelines may note different requirements or match ratios for part-time employees, retirees, or contractors. To see if your employer utilizes gift matching, check with your Human Resource representative.
Please direct all matching gift inquiries to Emily McCorkle at emccorkle@ywcaerew.org or calling 260.424.4908 ext. 238.
We invite you to dress to feel your best with the suggestion of “smart casual”
attire.