A mom’s greatest pride: ‘My children have just flourished’

These women are making Charlotte a better place

a quarterly publication of YWCA Central Carolinas

WINTER 2 0 1 5

An operating room can be a stressful place to work. But Selina Campbell embraces her job and all its demands, even if she’s a little worn out by the time she gets home to her children, Sarai and Isaiah, ages 8 and 11.

The dual roles as a mom and healthcare assistant are possible because of support from the YWCA’s after-school learning center in Union County.

While Selina watches over an operating room as a liaison between doctors and the

nursing staff at Novant Presbyterian, she knows that her children are in good care with Miss Kelsey and Miss Baker, their teachers at the center.

“These teachers are like their second mother – or the big sister they never had,” Selina said over coffee one recent afternoon after work. “My children have just flourished there.”

Sarai , 11, has made big gains in reading since starting the YWCA’s Accelerated Reader curriculum.

Isaiah, 8, dreams of becoming a lawyer or pro athlete.

Both children attend Walter Bickett Elementary School in Monroe, where the family lives.

704-525-5770ywcacentralcarolinas.org

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Selina Campbell with children Isaiah (left) and Sarai (right)

Amy, Deronda, Marian and Kirsten at the Women of Achievement reception.

3420 Park RoadCharlotte, NC 28209

704-525-5770www.ywcacentralcarolina.org

Dear YWCA Family and Friends:We admit it - narrowing down stories we share in YWorks is a difficult job during the wonderful winter holiday season! As you will read in this issue, our children and families were happily overwhelmed with the loving care shown by our community.

From youth holiday parties (Leafcrest, right) to Secret Santas bearing unexpected and timely gifts for parents, the season sparkled. From fitness classes to local companies to congregations, it seemed the whole community was engaged in creating relationships and causes for celebration with those we have the privilege to serve. We were reminded how YWCA is uniquely positioned as a hub for folks of all walks of life to connect with and to appreciate one another.

What a blessing it is for all of us to be in community with you, our friends.

Cover story

Continued on Page 5

Kirsten D. SikkeleeChief Executive Officer

Marvette MonroePresident

• An educator who smoothed the path to integration in our school system.

• An advocate for the poor who brings hope and shelter to those in need.

• A researcher helping to make Charlotte a forward-looking, 21st century city.

The YWCA recognized three outstanding women last fall during our annual Women of Achievement evening reception.

Pioneer: Marian Yates is VP of programming for Communities in Schools, a nonprofit that helps students stay in school and graduate.

Marian taught at Myers Park High School during desegregation in the 1970s. Today, she oversees a staff of 70 pushing students to do their best.

Community Champion: Deronda Metz is director of social services for The Salvation Army, and has led programs at the Center of Hope women and children’s shelter for 20+ years. She led a rapid re-housing effort as the first of its kind in our community.

Emerging Leader: Dr. Amy Hawn is director of the Institute for Social Capital as well as director of research for UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute. The majority of her current research centers on schooling outcomes of diverse schools.

A former teacher herself, Amy directs numerous projects on education, homelessness and other community issues.

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Discover meditation with ElizabethWhen: Sunday, Jan. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m.

What: Join Elizabeth for a fun, dynamic and light-hearted experience. Whether you are new or have meditated for years, you will discover the rewards of meditation -- and how to incorporate it into your day-to-day life.

Get ready for Tuff Girl Boot CampWhen: Tuesday, March 17 to Saturday, April 18. Tuesdays 7:30 to 8:35 p.m. and Saturdays 10 to 11 a.m.

What: It’s back! Ladies, let’s discover the YWCA weight room in boot camp style as we do challenging and empowering exercise drills. Make new friends while finding YOUR strong with Coach Trinity Cho (right)!

Check out new Splash & Dash Boot CampWhen: Wednesday, March 18 to Saturday, April 25. Wednesdays 7 to 8:15 p.m. (run drills/conditioning) and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. (swim/toning)

What: Join coaches Jody and Shelena (left) to learn race swim techniques and challenge the body with boot camp style exercises. Our work will culminate with a Splash & Dash at the YWCA on Saturday, April 25.

Team with a buddy for Cupid’s Cup

When: Saturday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. Rain or shine. Register at front desk in advance or on race day.

What: Grab a buddy and join us for a partner-style boot camp! Members and non-members of all fitness levels are welcome. Don’t have a buddy? We will find you one!

Fitness Highlights - Winter/Spring

Allison Mojica is delivering on the promise of health care for our Charlotte neighbors in need.

Allison arrived at the YWCA’s Park Road cam-pus last fall to help adults and families sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

For Allison, the reward is seeing the relief on weary faces when people find a plan they can afford.

“I didn’t realize how health insurance can change so many lives,” she said.

Allison is at the YWCA two days a week until February during open enrollment, a time when people can shop for cov-erage. Call 704-909-2770 for an appointment.

“Affordable health care is a huge barrier for so many,” said Kirsten Sikkelee, CEO of YWCA Central Carolinas.

“Connecting adults and families with quality cover-age will have an immediate impact on their ability to work, raise their children and lead healthy lives.”

Advocacy Spotlight

YWCA helps adults, families find health care

Register today for these events! Find forms and pricing at the front desk and ywcacentralcarolinas.org

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Sarah Belk Gambrell Fitness Centerwinter 2015

group exercise and aquatics schedule - Instructions subject to change. Pool is open to all YWCA members during swim lessons.

monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturdayPop Up Classes

continue so that you may try new

classes! View classes on the website on the monthly event

calendar.

12:00 - 1:00 pm m-fAdult Swim

2pm - 4 pmYoga Fusion

$20 workshopOnce a month

*see event calendar for dates

Get our email updates! Reach JCanfield@ywca

centralcarolinas.org

6:00 - 6:45 amSpin

6:00 - 6:55am Cardio Strength

8am - 8:45amSpin

6:15am - 6:55am Cardio Strength

8am - 8:45am Spin

9am - 9:45am Spin

8am - 8:45amSpin

8am - 8:50am H20 Dynamics:

Deep Water

8am - 8:50am H20 Dyamics: Deep

Water

8am - 8:50am H20 Dynamics: Deep

Water

8am - 8:50am AM Engergizer

(water aerobics)

9am - 9:50amAqua Fun Fitness

8am - 8:50am H20 Dyamics: Deep Water

9:30am - 10:25am Deep Stretch/Barre

Tone

9am - 9:45amMove & Groove

10am - 10:55amCore Ball

9am - 9:45am Move & Groove

9am - 9:50am Adult Swim Lessons

9am - 9:50am H20 Dynamics Shallow Water

11am - 12:15pm Align & Refine Yoga

9am - 9:50am H20 Dynamics Shallow Water

10:30am - 11:30amYoga I/II

9am - 9:50am H20 Dynamics Shallow Water

10am - 10:30am Water Babies

9am - 9:45am Move & Groove

12:15pm - 1pm Pyramid Plus

10am - 10:50am Power Hour

(water aerobics)

4pm - 6pm Swim Lessons

10am - 11am Pilates

10am - 11:20am Yoga

at the Next Level

10am - 10:50am Power Hour

(water aerobics)

4:00pm - 6pm Swim Lessons

10am -11am Pilates

5:30pm - 6pmSpin

10am - 10:50am Power Hour

(water aerobics)

10:30am - 12pm Swim Lessons

10am -11am Pilates

5:30pm - 5:50pm Glutes & Abs

11:10am - 11:50am Tabata

6pm 6:55pmYoga I

10:30am Spin

Occasional Pop-Up

6pm - 6:55pmVinyasa Yoga II/III

6pm - 6:45pmSpin

6pm - 6:55pmVinyasa Yoga I/II

6:15pm - 7:05pmAqua Cardio

sunday 4pm - 4:55pm Deep Stretch

Occasional Pop-Up

6pm - 6:55pm Cardio Strength

6pm - 6:55pm Yoga I

6pm - 6:55pm Cardio Strength

6pm - 6:45pm Spin

6:15pm - 7:05pm Aqua Cardio

Please check the schedule on the website, Facebook and at the front desk for updates.

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Last quarter, we gave an update on the charitable IRA rollover. Individuals over 70.5 years of age could make gifts straight from charitable IRAs to charities without paying income or estate tax on the amount withdrawn.

The bill to authorize giving in this manner passed the House and the Senate on Dec. 16, retroactively extending the IRA rollover through Dec. 31, 2014. Unfortunately, there is no grace period.

Regardless of your age, or whether you were able to take advantage of this small window of time, when you give to the

YWCA to support women, children and families, you will receive a deduction.

Interested in planned giving? Want to know more? Reach Marianne at MSchild@ywcacentralcarolinas.org or 704-525-5770

Kenya Henderson took on the role of college professor…but just for a day.

Kenya, director of our Families Together program, spoke to students at Queens University in a class called “Parenting in Contemporary Society.”

The invitation came after Dr. Karen Neal, a professor at Queens, heard Kenya talk about the issue of corporal punishment on a recent Charlotte Talks radio show.

Kenya says she had a great time interacting with the class, which included young people as well as mid-career adults returning to school to earn their degrees.

Students completed an assessment to determine their parenting styles, just as if they were taking part in the Families Together program at the YWCA. Some students became anxious, annoyed or frustrated. The

experience caused them to think back to childhood and recall how they were disciplined.

A few weeks after the class, Dr. Neal visited the YWCA and toured the campus, furthering a relationship that Kenya hopes can continue.

Reach Kenya at KHenderson@ywcacentralcarolinas.org

“It’s just changed her attitude all the way around,” Selina said of her daughter’s progress.

“Getting her involved in reading, with books that she enjoys, makes her want to read more.”

Selina, 33, takes online courses on nights and weekends to earn a degree in healthcare administration.

Her schedule – out the door at 6:30 a.m. and home 12 hours later – gives her a unique appreciation for YWCA after-school care.

With a full-time job, Selina earns too much to qualify for subsidized care. But she can’t afford to put two children in a private program at a

cost of hundreds per month. The family falls into a gap that is filled by the YWCA.

It’s a difficult balance, but Selina says she’s fortunate to be able to

hold a job, pursue a degree and pro-vide the best for her children.

“It feels so good to have a place where your kids are in

good hands,” she said. “Not only are they in a safe environment, but they’re learning something.”

Want to learn more? Visit ywcacentralcarolinas.org and click What We Do / Youth Programs

After nearly two decades of service at the YWCA, Ligia Mason retired Dec. 31 from her role as counselor, advocate and “mama” to so many women in our community.

Carrington Cosby, a case worker who assisted Ligia, is the new leader of our Women in Transition program.

Ligia reflected on her career with Matt Garfield, Director of Marketing. Ligia’s new email address is: Ligia.Mason@gmail.com.

Q. What makes you most proud when you look back on your time at the YWCA? I’d say being part of the evolution of the Women in Transition program, and having it recognized as a hall-mark program by the national YWCA. It’s just so rewarding to see those ah-ha moments in the process of transformation.

It’s like planting a seed. Sometimes it doesn’t sprout right away. And then suddenly, it blossoms and you’re just like, “Wow.”

Q. What explains the success of Women in Transition? Investing the time to allow the individuals to get to know you. Our philosophy is to be welcoming to everyone. Kirsten has always been very intentional about participants calling us by our first names to rein-force equality.

Q. How have the challenges facing women changed over the years?

In the early 90s, most of our population came from programs that serve those with mental illness and/or substance abuse as well those with limited incomes.

As we moved forward, we also began to serve women who receive unemployment benefits.

Q. What will you miss the most? The friendships and steadfast volunteer supporters. I tell people all the time, my work at the YWCA wasn’t a job. It’s about the mission.

Q. What is your plan for retirement? I am going to continue doing some freelance work in social services.

I have family in Switzerland who want me to visit. I just don’t like to be on a plane for that long. Maybe I’ll be adventurous.

• American Airlines Community Foundation, Charlotte Hornets Foundation and Lowe’s for technology support

• United Way, City of Charlotte, corporate and private foundations that support our work

• Members of the faith community for funds and volunteers

• Zachry Engineering, 8 a.m. Water Aerobics Class, Secret Santas, Piper Glen Women’s Club, sponsors of Youth Learning Center winter celebrations for making the holidays bright

• 1902 Society (our young donors) and Banana Republic who hosted a winter celebration at Sugaw Creek

Marvette M. Monroe, presidentDeepa Naik,president-electLeslee K. Bertsch,treasurerAnjali D. ArnoldSharon BlalockLinda ChristophersonJean CochraneBrittany ConnerDonna DunlapLoree ElswickJada GrandyChristina HowardNyaka NiiLampti, Ph.DAnne PipkinTeresa WilliamsKaren ZapataSarah Belk Gambrell, board member emeritusKirsten D. Sikkelee,chief executive officer

Darren AshMary Lou BabbJoanne BeamSuzanne BledsoeSarah BryantMarty ClontzRoger CobbBetty M. DosterToni FreemanLyttleton Rich HollowellCharles IzardAllen JacksonAlison PatientSara PresslyMartha SchmittAndy Young

“It’s just changed her attitude all the way around.”

Kenya Henderson (wearing scarf) welcomed friends from Zachry Engineering.

Our own ‘Professor Kenya’ speaks at Queens A mom’s greatest pride, continued from Page 1

Happy retirement! Ligia Mason reflects on her mission

Board ofDirectors

Thank You

AdvisoryCouncil

Sarah’s Legacy: Congress passes charitable IRA rollover

Marianne D. SchildDirector of Donor

Relations

Ligia speaks at her retirement party.