YWCA Manchester has joined with the YWCA USA national office and other local YWCA associations around the country to launch Own It, a national grassroots campaign that invites Generation Y women, ages 18-30, to engage in community service on behalf of women.  The campaign will also partner with young women to advocate for the YWCA’s priority policy issues, including racism, gender discrimination and economic empowerment for women.   

“During the next year, YWCA Manchester will partner with these smart, compassionate young women and provide opportunities for them to be involved with our key issues and community services,” said Katie Schelzel, Director of Youth and Community Services. “As the nation’s oldest and largest women’s organization, the YWCA has continually reached out to new generations of women to provide critically important services to at-risk women, especially those who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, are homeless or in need of job skills training.”

In communities around the country, the YWCA will reach out to Gen Y women on college campuses, at community colleges and trade schools, and in faith communities and employers’ offices to connect them with volunteer service opportunities. To launch the campaign, YWCA Manchester is starting a Junior Board of Directors who will act as the Advisory Board for YWCA Manchester programming.  Selected candidates will gain valuable experience regarding non-profit structure and management, business processes, and community needs and responses. 

Both partners in the Family Education Collaborative, YWCA Manchester will provide students at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester (UNH-M) with opportunities for research, outreach, and service. YWCA Manchester’s programs and activities promote social responsibility in all women in the community. In 2009, YWCA Manchester and UNH at Manchester received the 2009 Presidents’ Community Partner Award from the Campus Compact for New Hampshire for their partnership and work with students.

Last year, YWCA Manchester proudly served over 4,000 people in the surrounding region.  YWCA Manchester recognizes the importance of fostering social, emotional and academic growth in young girls, offering several youth programs, which include an after school program, snow day and summer programming, a life skills course, and Peer Action Changing Tomorrow (PACT) training. YWCA Manchester also provides parents and caregivers with resources to raise healthy families and provides free and confidential crisis services to support victims of domestic and sexual violence. 

At the campaign’s new Web site, www.ywcaownit.org, and on the YWCA’s new Facebook fan page young women are encouraged to share their stories about issues that matter to them, and to send in photos, videos, and stories to illustrate their community service projects, volunteer work, and other activity with the YWCA on behalf of women.

The YWCA is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. “We are demonstrating our continued commitment to American women by reaching out to this new generation of young women – the nation’s future leaders – by ensuring we are listening to their concerns and hopes for the future, as well as working together with them to improve our community,” said Schelzel.

The YWCA Manchester is a non-profit organization that provides social services, advocacy, education and leadership development programs, and racial justice initiatives. The YWCA Manchester has proudly served Manchester and its surrounding regions since 1920.

For more information about the YWCA’s Own It campaign, please visit www.ywcaownit.org.