As we move into the holiday season, gratitude is at the heart of everything we do at YWCA Northeast Indiana. Each day, we see incredible examples of compassion and generosity from our community—and nowhere is that spirit more evident than during this time of year.
Over the next two months, our building will be filled with the sights, sounds, and warmth of the holidays. We’ll gather around the table for a special Thanksgiving dinner, celebrating together as one extended family. Our Holiday Hugs client party will bring laughter and joy to the children and adults staying with us, thanks to the many donors and volunteers who make it possible.
Groups from across the community will join us to decorate our spaces, transforming them into bright, festive havens for those spending the season in our care. And throughout December, we’ll share special meals—including Christmas morning treats—to remind every resident that they are seen, valued, and loved.
These celebrations mean so much to the individuals and families finding safety and hope at YWCA during the holidays. But we couldn’t do any of it without you.
As you plan your own holiday giving, please consider supporting YWCA Northeast Indiana. You can:
- Make a financial donation on our website.
- Donate new toys for the children in our programs.
- Give gifts for the adults staying in our shelter.
Your kindness brings comfort, joy, and dignity to those rebuilding their lives—and helps us continue our mission of empowering all people to thrive.
Thank you for helping make this season truly special for our clients. From all of us at YWCA Northeast Indiana, we wish you a peaceful and joy-filled holiday season.
-Paula Hughes-Schuh (CEO, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
“Everyone Knows Someone” Conference
The Mayor’s Commission on Domestic Violence, the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Allen County Family Domestic Violence Court, in partnership with Purdue University Fort Wayne, will be hosting the first annual conference on domestic violence on Wednesday, November 5th from 7:30am-5pm at PFW. This full-day event will bring together professionals, law enforcement, students, and community members to engage in meaningful conversations about domestic violence and its impact. The goal is to foster awareness, education, and collaboration to support survivors and prevent future abuse. Register here.
Write a Will
A huge thank you to attorneys Josh White and Gurleen Kahlon from Barnes & Thornburg LLP for visiting YWCA this week and helping our staff and community members prepare their free wills!
Write-A-Will Week is a wonderful Fort Wayne initiative that reminds us how important it is to plan for the future while also giving back. We’re so grateful to have been part of this effort that helps strengthen our community!Phresh Laundry Painting
We are so excited to announce part two of our partnership with Phresh Laundry! The partnership was made possible by an Arts Project Support grant where Phresh Laundry, artist Theopolis Smith III, completed a painting that is now proudly displayed above the fireplace in our lobby. We are excited at how this colorful and empowering piece of art will make the entrance of our building more welcoming!
The Arts Project Support grant was made possible in part by Arts United and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts. Thank you to these wonderful community partners for promoting access to the arts for all!
Fort4Fitness Charity Partner
YWCA is a proud Charity Partner with Fort4Fitness! Select YWCA when you register for the Winter Wonder Dash (November 14th and 15th) for part of your registration fee to benefit our clients. Register here!
Holidays at YWCA Northeast Indiana
Staying in a shelter during the holiday season can be difficult, especially for children. It is a priority for the staff here at YWCA Northeast Indiana to provide opportunities for positive family interactions and to create a sense of normalcy for the parents and children staying with us this time of year.
For the Thanksgiving holiday, we depend on donations from outside partners to be able to provide a special meal for those who are staying with us during that time. Thank you to the John Chapman Kiwanis Club for your donation to help us provide something special for our clients!
Every year, we host what we call the Holiday Hugs party that includes a donated meal accompanied by a musical performance by PFW students, crafts for kids, and a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus! Each family gets an opportunity for a photo with Santa and every child receives an age appropriate board game to encourage positive family experiences.
We also host a store here at the shelter where parents can come and shop for gifts for their children for Christmas. The gifts we have available to our residents depend on donations from our outside partners. Some of our partners this year include Lincoln Financial Group and the Fort Wayne Cinema Center. We strive to also give the adults a gift that will provide warmth and joy in the winter months. Thank you to Vera Bradley for committing to donating gifts for the women staying in our shelter during the holiday season!
We would love to be able to provide additional special moments for our clients during the holiday season. If you are interested in providing any of the following, we would love to partner with you!
- A special breakfast on Christmas morning
- Toys for our holiday shopping week
- Board games for our Holiday Hugs party
- Monetary donation to purchase needed items for the shelter
Please reach out to Emily McCorkle at emccorkle@ywcanein.org or 260.424.4908 ext.238 to coordinate.
Coffee & Conversations
November 6th from 8-9:30am at Ash Brokerage
Empower to Empathize: Understanding the Survivor’s Journey. Join us as we continue the discussion that began at Circle and dive deep into a conversation about domestic violence and the emotions of survivors and their children. Attending Circle is not a prerequisite for this event. Learn more and register for free.
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.
Danielle Wildes
Marketing & Social Media, K. Monique’s Studio of Dance
Fitness Instructor, Triumph Studios
Darius Darling
HR Specialist, Brotherhood Mutual
Rachelle Reinking
Director of Communications, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne
Rebecca Karcher
Director of Communication and Community Engagement, Trinity English Lutheran Church
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!
Volunteer Opportunities
We have a variety of volunteer positions, as well as group service opportunities. Find info here.
In-Kind Donations
Check out our website to see a list of items we currently need or visit our Amazon Wish List for easy gift options that can be shipped directly to us!
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.
