YWCA Friends –
Truth be told, this newsletter doesn’t contain all of the original content we had planned to share with you this month. In recognition of sexual assault awareness month, we had hoped to share more information and resources on sexual assault. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe it is also important to communicate how YWCA Northeast Indiana has responded to this crisis. We are pleased to spotlight our sexual assault crisis services and Carla Kilgore, our Director of Crisis Services, who leads our sexual assault crisis program (as well as our crisis domestic violence shelter), along with a truly remarkable volunteer, Tanya Lucille.
Life changes have created opportunities for us to be more resourceful. At YWCA Northeast Indiana, we are blessed to have a caring and devoted staff, as well as countless devoted community supporters. As one might expect during this unsettling time, our expenses have increased, but YWCA Northeast Indiana remains steadfast in our commitment to provide services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and for those struggling with addiction recovery. We are thankful for your continued support!
We have taken steps to practice social distancing and are following the Department of Health’s recommendations. For a behind-the-scenes look into what we are doing, please watch the short video below. Together, we are rising up and standing strong!
To continue to assist us with our increased expenses, please visit www.ywcanein.com/covid. Thank you for your support!
Sexual Assault Services
We have recently merged our Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Lines! Reach us at 800-441-4073.
YWCA Northeast Indiana has assisted those experiencing domestic violence in the community since 1976, and as part of those services, has assisted countless individuals who have experienced rape or other forms of sexual assault. Support, available to anyone in the community who experiences rape or sexual assault, was increased in 2018 when YWCA Northeast Indiana took over administration of the programs of the Women’s Bureau when that agency closed. That brought the opportunity to have free counseling and a 24 hour a day hotline available for those who have experienced rape or sexual assault. If anyone you know needs support, the hotline is available, whether the assault was recent or years ago.
Carla Kilgore, our Director of Crisis Services, grew up with a strong sense of right and wrong, and even her 3rd grade teacher recalled Carla speaking up when she thought something wasn’t right. When trying to figure out what to do for a living, Carla was good at math, but found sociology fascinating. It was her sociology professor who suggested social work as her career, enabling her to combine her interest in how society works with her passion to make things better for others. Carla has worked as a social worker in a variety of settings since 1996, earning her Masters at IUPUI in 2002 with a focus on Management, Administration, and Community Organization.
“I found the best fit yet with the mission of YWCA,” Carla said. YWCA’s mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Carla has been honored to direct the sexual assault services program since it has become a part of YWCA Northeast Indiana.
“I have learned so much in the last year and a half. Knowing how prevalent sexual assault is motivates me and the rest of our staff to reach out to help and support survivors, but also to increase efforts to prevent new sexual assaults and rapes from happening.”
Tanya Lucille
“I wanted to become a volunteer because I wanted to help others in the community.”
-Tanya Lucille
Tanya Lucille has been a crisis line volunteer with YWCA Northeast Indiana since 2009. In 2019, our 24-hour domestic violence and sexual assault crisis line received over 2,000 calls with a wide variety of needs. Tanya connects callers with a network of organizations offering emergency assistance, housing, financial assistance, education, employment, legal assistance, domestic violence, children’s services, mental health issues, senior services, and social services.
One of Tanya’s strengths as a volunteer is her ability to listen. “I like to provide my caller with advice and help facilitate the underline perspective this person is feeling,” Tonya said. “As a team, I can help them understand that I am here for them and we can get through this together.” Tanya has enjoyed seeing her collaboration skills grow over the years as she is able to build a bridge with her callers to recognize and address the situation.
In addition to wanting to help others in the community, Tanya knows from experience how it feels not to have the help or resources needed during a crisis. “I want to make a difference in someone else’s life. That person deserves an opportunity to become a survivor like myself.”
YWCA Northeast Indiana thanks Tanya Lucille for all her work in helping us live out our mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
We have postponed our April Coffee & Conversations event from April 15th to June 3rd. Psychologist Angela Duckworth said that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit”. This session highlights women who possess not only talent but enough grit to fill the largest beach! Learn how our guest experts have overcome common barriers often experienced by women seeking careers in non-traditional roles! Register for this June 3rd event here.
Unprecedented times create unforeseen opportunities for us all to rise up and stand strong, which is exactly what YWCA Northeast Indiana staff and supporters have done! For a sneak peek to see how we are fighting this pandemic, watch this short video for a behind-the-scenes look into how we are rising up and standing strong against COVID-19. You will also see unwavering support from our community, including donated Easter baskets and candy for the children residing in our facilities. If you would like more information on donating, visit www.ywcanein.com/covid.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken us all. Our public service announcement (PSA) is running on WANE, WPTA, WISE and WFFT television channels. We are grateful for these media partners! Read our most recent blog post to learn about how YWCA Northeast Indiana is responding to this pandemic.