Table Hosts are integral to the success of Circle and have helped us raise thousands of dollars over the years for our domestic violence services. The goal of a Table Host is 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.
Please use the information below to equip you to host a table at the 27th Annual Circle Event or contact our Engagement Coordinator, Patty Dunn at pdunn@ywcaerew.org with any questions.
▢ Brainstorm friends, colleagues, and other network connections that might be interested in sitting at your table at Circle.
▢ Register for Circle as a Table Host by visiting ywcanein.org/circle
▢ Start inviting your attendees
▢ Periodically follow up with attendees to make sure they have completed registration, if you did not pay for guests at your table. YWCA staff will assist in updating you on which of your attendees have registered
▢ Attend the event! Try and arrive right at 11:30 or a few minutes before to welcome your attendees and help them find your table. Answer questions at the event and collect donations from your attendees
▢ Thank your attendees! Be sure to send a thank you to everyone who sat at your table
If an attendee prefers to pay their registration fee with a check, they should contact Patty Dunn at pdunn@ywcaerew.org or 260.424.4908 ext. 238. They do not need to complete the online registration.
Online registration can be completed in five easy steps!
- Navigate to ywcanein.org/circle and click “Purchase Tickets and Tables”
- Select how many tickets you would like to purchase
- Tables seat eight guests
- If you do not fill your table, we are happy to assist you
- You are welcome to invite guests and have them pay for their registration, just be sure to communicate this in your invites and instruct them to register and select your name from the drop-down menu as a Table Host
- Complete your attendee information or instruct guests to purchase a ticket at your table
- Click “Submit!” Registration confirmation will be generated via email.
For any registration questions, please contact Patty Dunn at pdunn@ywcaerew.org or 260.424.4908 ext. 238
- Date: Thursday, October 19
- Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Location: The Diamond room at Ceruti’s Catering
Registration is $100 and will be completed online or by contacting Patty Dunn at pdunn@ywcaerew.org or calling 260.424.4908 ext. 238. Registration fee includes lunch and parking at the event.
Why should you come to Circle?
Circle is YWCA Northeast Indiana’s annual fundraising event, raising over $184,000 annually for victims and survivors of domestic violence. The 27th annual fundraiser will include a themed luncheon and production, networking opportunities, and an opportunity to learn more about YWCA Northeast Indiana’s life saving services.
Donations made at the Circle event support YWCA’s domestic violence services, which includes 24/7 shelter, 24/7 crisis line, residential and community-based advocacy services, on-site therapy, housing coordination, and more for victims and survivors of domestic violence and their families.
Matching Gifts Instructions
Many companies offer to match employee donations to local organizations. If an attendee would like to submit a matching gift, they will have the option to give their contact information on the donation page.
For attendees donating via check or donation card, they can write “company match” in the memo line and YWCA staff will contact them.
Please direct all matching gift inquiries to Patty Dunn at pdunn@ywcaerew.org or calling 260.424.4908 ext. 238.
Hello [Attendee Name],
I am hosting a table at YWCA Northeast Indiana’s 27th Annual Circle event in October, and I’d love to have you attend as my guest!
Circle is YWCA’s signature fundraising event that will take place October 19, 2023, at Ceruti’s, located in Summit Park, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. This year’s theme “Seasons of Abuse” will include inspiring stories from community members that have overcome domestic violence and in doing so, are empowering others to be more than their yesterday. The 27th annual fundraiser will include a themed luncheon and production, networking opportunities, and an opportunity to learn more about YWCA Northeast Indiana’s lifesaving services.
Registration is $100 and includes parking and lunch on the day of the event. Please visit Circle – YWCA Northeast Indiana to register and join my circle of support for people experiencing domestic violence. If you aren’t able to make it to Circle, you can still donate by visiting the same webpage.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
[Name]
Pre-Event
- Fill the remaining seven seats at your table to the best of your ability by inviting friends and colleagues and people from your network
- Encourage and remind your attendees to register; assist with online registration if necessary
At the Event
- Check in with YWCA staff and find your table
- Greet your attendees and help them get settled at your table
- Talk with your attendees about the program, YWCA, Circle, etc. and answer any questions they may have
- There will be a specific time in the program for making donations; Table Captains will assist their attendees in the process of making donations, either online or by writing checks, when needed
- Table Hosts are to collect all checks and donation cards and return to designated YWCA staff members
Post-Event
- Thank your attendees for coming and financially supporting YWCA
- YWCA will send thank you notes with “no goods or services” language that can be used as donation receipts for taxes
What does YWCA do?
YWCA offers several different programs that benefit women, children, and families in northeast Indiana. YWCA’s crisis shelter for victims and survivors of domestic violence accepts any individual and their children dealing with a situation of domestic violence. In addition to shelter, YWCA provides advocacy services for shelter residents and individuals in the community dealing with domestic violence who might not need shelter. Clients living in the shelter can meet with YWCA’s housing coordinator and YWCA staff operate a 24/7 crisis line for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. YWCA also provides free therapy to those experiencing domestic violence and any in the community affected by sexual assault.
YWCA’s other programs include Hope & Harriet, a residential addiction recovery program for women and their children; Community Educators who teach about healthy relationships and internet safety in schools as well as educate the community about domestic violence; Dress for Success, a boutique and career development service that suits women with low income for job interviews; and we also offer various racial justice programming, such Diversity Dialogues and the Race Against Racism 5k Walk/Run.
How does YWCA help victims and survivors of domestic violence?
Individuals experiencing domestic violence usually connect with YWCA by calling the crisis line. When someone indicates they would like to enter the shelter or start receiving services in the community, they are paired with a YWCA Advocate. 100% of clients complete safety planning with their Advocate as part of their intake process. Advocates also provide education about the dynamics of domestic violence to new clients. An Advocate will work with a client for as long as the client wants services. Advocates help connect clients to community resources, including the legal system, medical care, school system for children, stable housing, etc.
For residential clients, the shelter is staffed 24/7 with Crisis Service Assistants who help meet daily needs for shelter residents. YWCA has a dedicated Nutrition Coordinator who prepares meals and teaches classes on healthy cooking as well as a Housing Coordinator who works with residential clients on creating an after-shelter housing plan. YWCA also has a Child Specialist on staff who works with children that accompany their parent into the shelter, ensuring they can continue school and helping them process their own trauma.
How did Circle get started?
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.
How long has YWCA been around?
YWCA Northeast Indiana started as the YWCA of Fort Wayne in 1894. In 2009, the name changed to YWCA Northeast Indiana to reflect our service area of Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Wells, and Whitley counties. The crisis shelter was founded in 1976 and remains the oldest and largest shelter dedicated specifically to victims and survivors of domestic violence in the state of Indiana.
YWCA has had exponential growth in recent years. In 2015, YWCA merged operations with Hope House, a residential addiction recovery program, which started YWCA’s addiction recovery services. In 2018, YWCA took on operations of the Women’s Bureau programs after the Women’s Bureau dissolved, which included Transitions (another addiction recovery program for women), Dress for Success, and sexual assault counseling. Transitions was renamed Harriet House and the two programs, Hope & Harriet, make up YWCA’s addiction recovery services.
Where are YWCA’s services located at?
YWCA Northeast Indiana is currently using two separate buildings. The administrative offices, all domestic violence services, and the addiction recovery programming are located on Decatur Road. The Dress for Success program is located in The Hefner Center on Washington Center Road. In 2024 we are planning to have all of our services moved into The Hefner Center.
Does someone have to live in Fort Wayne to utilize YWCA’s services?
No! YWCA’s domestic violence services cover all of Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Wells, and Whitley counties. Advocates serving community-based clients travel to the communities clients are located in and all clients are welcome to stay in the shelter if necessary.
How can I refer someone to YWCA for help?
Someone needing help with domestic violence or sexual assault can call our crisis line at 800.441.4073 or email the advocate coordinators at advocatecoords@ywcaerew.org. Someone needing help with addiction can call YWCA’s main line at 260.424.4908 or email intake@ywcaerew.org.
How many survivors of domestic violence did YWCA serve in 2022?
- 369 adults and 303 children sheltered at Bonnie’s House
- 754 adults living at Bonnie’s House or in the community received advocacy services through YWCA Advocates
- 154 adults, both YWCA clients and adults in the community, participated in 744 therapy sessions cumulatively.
- 86 adult and child survivors of sexual violence received one-on-one advocacy services
- 2,691 calls to the domestic violence and sexual assault hotline
- 7,653 individuals participated in adult and youth education sessions about domestic violence, diversity, and healthy relationships
- 27,204 bed nights of shelter care provided across YWCA’s residential programs
What are other ways I can help YWCA Northeast Indiana?
- Volunteer: If you are interested in lending a hand, please visit our get involved section on our website or email Patty Dunn at pdunn@ywcaerew.org to learn more about opportunities to serve!
- In-Kind Needs Donations: We are always in need of basic items to provide to our clients who are experiencing crisis. To see a list of needs visit the In-Kind Needs list under the Get Involved tab on our website. To coordinate a donation drive, please call 260.424.4908 ext. 238 or email Patty Dunn at pdunn@ywcaerew.org