As we arrive at the close of another year, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable strength we witnessed in 2025. This year, more individuals than ever turned to YWCA Northeast Indiana for safety, healing, and hope—and because of your support, we were able to walk beside each one.
Every milestone reached this year has been a shared accomplishment. We expanded services, strengthened partnerships, and continued to innovate in how we meet the needs of survivors, families, and women in recovery.
While 2025 has been a powerful year, 2026 will be truly historic for our organization. In the year ahead, we will officially celebrate the opening of our new building—a space designed with dignity and healing at its heart. This new home allows us to serve more people, offer more wrap-around services, and expand programming.
We will also honor a remarkable anniversary: 50 years of Bonnie’s House, Indiana’s first domestic violence shelter. For half a century, Bonnie’s House has offered safety in times of crisis and hope in moments of fear. Its legacy is a testament to the strength of survivors and the unwavering support of our community.
As we step into this new chapter, I am filled with gratitude for everyone who makes this work possible. Thank you for believing in our mission, for standing with survivors, and for helping us build a community where safety, dignity, and opportunity belong to all.
From all of us at YWCA Northeast Indiana, thank you for an incredible year. We look forward to all that we will accomplish—together—in 2026.
-Paula Hughes-Schuh (CEO, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
2025 Allen County Women and Girls Update
The Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne recently released the findings of the 2025 Allen County Women & Girls Report. This is the five-year update to the study that launched the Women’s Fund in 2020. With the report showing an increase in violence against women in Allen County, we want to remind the community that services at YWCA are completely free. To learn more about our domestic violence services, sexual violence services, addiction recovery program, therapy services, and education services, please visit our website.
GivingTuesday
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. Simply put, it is a day that encourages people to do good!
YWCA Northeast Indiana offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of our community. Visit our website to hear real life stories of individuals we serve and how your support allows us to empower others.Updated Marketing Materials
We’ve updated our branding and imagery and ordered new large banners, tabletop banners, brochures, and program specific inserts, including inserts in Burmese and Spanish. You can download our new brochure here.
Awareness Months
Thank you to everyone who got involved with the various awareness months that we promote throughout the year! Your support and participation truly makes a difference in our community. As we prepare for 2026, we plan to continue to recognize the months that align with our service areas:
- February – Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
- April – Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- May – Mental Health Awareness Month
- September – National Recovery Month
- October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month
We look forward to these opportunities to raise awareness, and with your help, our reach has no limit!
Year in Review
YWCA Northeast Indiana accomplished a lot in 2025! Find a recap of our year here. We can only do what we do because of you. We can’t wait for 2026!
Wicked: For Good Cinema Center Donation Drive
November 20th-December 7th at Cinema Center
Fort Wayne Cinema Center is collecting comfort items for children that will be donated to YWCA. Bring NEW blankets, stuffed animals, fuzzy socks, etc. to a Wicked: For Good showing to receive a free popcorn and a free month of membership at Cinema Center. Find showtimes and purchase your tickets here.
Coffee & Conversations
December 11th from 8-9:30am at Ash Brokerage
Empower Your Spark: Reigniting Strength in the Face of Burnout. In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, burnout is a pervasive challenge, particularly for women who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities. Let’s have a conversation to help recognize the signs of burnout, reclaim our energy, and rebuild resilience. This is more important than ever, especially during the holiday season when demands can feel overwhelming. Register here.
2026 Events
- Volunteer Appreciation Event – April 21st from 8-9:30am at The Hefner Center
- Race for a Reason 5K – April 25th from 9-11:30am at PFW
- Music for a Mission – September 18th from 6-11pm at Brotherhood Mutual
- Circle – October 29th from 11am-1pm at Parkview Mirro Center
- Coffee & Conversations will be returning next year with a focus on different areas of women’s health! Stay tuned for dates.
Bonnie Andrews
Owner, BonJo Studios LLC
Andrew Applegate
VP of Operations, Petra Solutions
Lynn Marbach
General Manager, Three Rivers Running Company
Aisha R. Arrington
CEO, Fort Wayne Urban League
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Kroger will donate a portion of your purchases to YWCA Northeast Indiana through their Community Rewards program. There is no cost to you and it doesn’t affect your points or rewards! Learn how to enroll and select YWCA here.
Save 25% at Papa Johns
Support YWCA’s services and enjoy delicious pizza! Use coupon code YWCA25 to receive the discount.
Goldstein Family Scholarship Program
Our scholarship helps female survivors of domestic violence improve their self-sufficiency and quality of life by completing higher education. Learn more here.
Follow us on Social Media
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, to stay in the know of everything that’s going on at YWCA Northeast Indiana. We hope to connect with you soon!
Bus Passes for Clients
We are accepting bus pass donations to help our clients get around town. A Citilink Regular Adult All Day Pass is just $3.75, and would allow unlimited rides all day long. For an additional $1.50, passes can be shipped directly to our location. Passes can be purchased here and either dropped off during business hours, put in our mailbox, or sent by mail, addressed to Donna Masterson at 1313 W Washington Center Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.
Board Game & Stocking Stuffer Donations
We are seeking NEW board games, puzzles, and miscellaneous stocking stuffer items (nail polish, chapstick, small notebooks, lotions, etc.) which will be given as gifts to the women, children, and families that are staying with us during the holidays. Our Amazon Wish List provides suggested items that can be shipped directly to us! To coordinate a drop off, please contact Emily at emccorkle@ywcanein.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have a variety of volunteer positions, as well as group service opportunities. Find info here.
Donate
If you would like to make a difference at YWCA Northeast Indiana through a financial contribution, there are many ways to do so. Learn more here or go directly to our online donation portal.
