Our Partnership with United Way to End the Cycle of Poverty

YWCA Clark County is pleased to announce that it has been chosen as one of 30 select organizations to participate in United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s new Community Strengthening collaborative cohort designed to improve outcomes for low-income children and their families, and ultimately break the cycle of childhood poverty in the four-county (Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah and Washington) region.

 The collaborative cohort, which is based on the “collective impact” approach, is part of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s new strategic direction to leverage the expertise, resources, and effort of multiple organizations across the region in working together toward one common goal: breaking the cycle of childhood poverty.

 United Way’s Community Strengthening cohort is comprised of 30 emerging and established non-profits serving low income and culturally specific communities across the metropolitan area. The cohort will work together for a period of three years (July 2014 through June 2017) to create and participate in learning communities designed to share experiences, exchange data and information, and build collective knowledge around new and promising practices to improve outcomes for low-income families and their children. Each member of the Community Strengthening cohort will be awarded up to $50,000 per year, to complete this critical work. (*Funding to YWCA Clark County and the other non-profits in the cohort is contingent on the funding United Way receives as an organization to its Breaking the Cycle fund.)

 “We are pleased to participate in United Way’s Community Strengthening cohort because it will not only help ensure the sustainability of our programs, but it will ensure a concerted effort to integrate best practices in effectively addressing the root causes of poverty.,” said YWCA’s Director of Programs, Natalie Wood. “We hope to work collaboratively to better identify how poverty is intertwined with the prevention and crisis intervention services we provide, assess our strengths and growth areas to determine what organizational changes we can make to directly address the root causes of poverty more effectively, and ultimately adopt new practices that allow us to have an even greater impact in the community.”

 Each non-profit organization participating in United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s Community Strengthening cohort has agreed to share their results through a common measurement framework, to work together on critical problems and innovations in the field, and to build a common knowledge base about collective impact on childhood poverty in our region.

 “We are ecstatic to be collaborating with the outstanding organizations selected to be a part of our Community Strengthening cohort on breaking the cycle of childhood poverty. The issue of poverty is incredibly complex, with multiple facets; it’s a far greater issue than any one organization can resolve alone,” said Keith Thomajan, CEO of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. “In utilizing the collective impact model, we are confident we can amplify and accelerate the impact we are making in our community specific to student success, family stability, and connected communities to give every child, regardless of their socioeconomic status, a fair chance at success. Quite simply, we are better together.”

The Collective Impact Model 

 The collective impact model, as articulated by the non-profit consulting group Foundation Strategy Group (FSG), is a model of work that brings people together, in a structured way, to achieve social change. There are five conditions** of “collective impact” that lead to meaningful results:

1. A common agenda: All participants have a shared vision for change including a common understanding of the problem and a joint approach to solving it through agreed upon actions.

2. Shared Measurement: Collecting data and measuring results consistently across all participants ensures efforts remain aligned and participants hold each other accountable.

3. Mutually Reinforcing Activities: Participant activities must be differentiated while still being coordinated through a mutually reinforcing plan of action.

4. Continuous Communication: Consistent and open communication is needed across the many players to build trust, assure mutual objectives, and appreciate common motivation.

5. Backbone Organization: Creating and managing collective impact requires a separate organization(s) with staff and a specific set of skills to serve as the backbone for the entire initiative and coordinate participating organizations and agencies (The backbone organization for the Community Strengthening strategy is United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.)

 **Source: Foundation Strategy Group (FSG) http://www.fsg.org/OurApproach/CollectiveImpact.aspx 

 To learn more about United Way’s Community Strengthening strategy and the other organizations involved in the cohort, please visit http://www.unitedway-pdx.org/community-strengthening-investments

Sponsoring Hope and Success

By Sharon Svec

Education, awareness, donations, volunteering; there are many ways to support the community you love, yet sponsorship offers an unmatched degree of visibility and name recognition. By sponsoring a YWCA event, your group or business gains visibility and support from local leaders of social justice and women’s empowerment. This month, YWCA Clark County is opening up dozens of sponsor opportunities with a range of giving levels for our 19th annual benefit luncheon to be held in September. This year, the luncheon takes a dramatic approach toward enlightenment and engagement. Whether or not you plan on sponsoring , reserve September 18th on your calendars for a luncheon you’ll never forget.

Columbia Credit Union understands the value of sponsoring YWCA’s dynamic and inspiring luncheons and has already agreed to be the lead sponsor this year. “With nearly 1 in 3 Clark County families banking with Columbia Credit Union, we know that what’s good for our community can be really great for our members. One organization that we’ve stood alongside for 18 years is YWCA Clark County” said Colleen Boccia, SVP Marketing and Chief Deposit Officer of Columbia Credit Union. Along two dozen other sponsors and 14 table sponsors, it was possible to underwrite all expenses of YWCA’s 2012 benefit luncheon and invest money raised from the event back into YWCA’s seven life-changing programs.

Sponsor levels range from $1000 to $5000 with varying degrees of benefits, including logo or name recognition on event advertising and collateral, a table for 10 at the luncheon, social media recognition, and more. Potential sponsors should contact Lisa Bechtold at 360 906 9157 or lbechtold@ywcaclarkcounty.org. Lisa is happy to discuss your sponsorship options, provide a tour of our facilities, and establish a meaningful connection between your business and YWCA Clark County – our area’s leader of social service and social justice.

Making a Milestone Memorable

By Shawna Burkholder

In less than six months, YWCA will mark the 5th anniversary of partnership with Classic Wines Auction. We have much to celebrate and invite you, our YWCA supporters, to join us in continuing to make this a successful partnership.

“Wine Working Wonders” is the name of the main auction that takes place the first Saturday each March at the Oregon Convention Center. This wine and culinary extravaganza, that Wine Spectator has ranked as one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the United States, brings 750 wine enthusiasts together in support of local children and families in need. What many do not know is that the main auction is only one of several year-round activities that support the five participating charities.

Over the past four years, YWCA Clark County has received a total of $1,195,105 in revenue through the various auction activities. With this additional revenue, we are able to continue serving survivors of domestic violence, homelessness, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, oppression, as well as youth in foster care and incarcerated women during difficult economic times.

As with all fundraising events, the components don’t come together without a lot of hard work behind the scenes. YWCA board members and staff dedicate time to auction activities for ten months of each year!

Would you also share your time and talents by playing an active role in the success of the main auction and other supporting events? Specifically, here are the various ways you can support YWCA Clark County while being part of our 5th anniversary with Classic Wines.

Procurement: It wouldn’t be much of an auction if there weren’t items to bid on! Work with a small, yet dynamic group of people to create spectacular live-auction packages. Overall, YWCA’s goal is to have 2-3 packages at a value of $10,000 each or higher for the live auction. Other enticing items are also procured for the silent and super-silent auctions. For more information contact Lisa Bechtold, 360 906 9157 or lbechtold@ywcaclarkcounty.org.

Volunteer: There are several options from serving on a committee with a regular meeting schedule, to helping one day only. One day opportunities include set-up for the Ambassador’s dinner at the Portland Art Museum or for the main auction at the Oregon Convention Center; helping during the auction evening or the day after to help deliver auction items. In the first year YWCA had 52 auction volunteers, and we’ve grown substantially with a total of 228 volunteers over four years. To learn more contact Stephanie Barr, 360 906 9112 or sbarr@ywcaclarkcounty.org.

Winemaker Dinners: Purchase tickets to attend either the fall (November 13-15, 2012) or spring (February 19-21 and 26-28, 2013) dinners. A portion of the proceeds support YWCA Clark County if you select us as your charity affiliation while registering. These dinners are open to the public and a great alternative if you are unable to attend the main auction. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.classicwinesauction.org.

Sponsorship: There is an entire menu of sponsorship opportunities from the centerpieces, commemorative magnums, catalog, cocktail plate and, of course, several levels of table sponsorships. All sponsorships include a varying array of benefits from visibility to an invitation to the exclusive Ambassador’s dinner. For more information contact Shawna Burkholder, 360 906 9123 or sburkholder@ywcaclarkcounty.org.

And, finally, we invite you to attend this magnificent evening. Individual tickets can be purchased through the Class Wines Auction website, or please contact Shawna Burkholder if you are interested in sitting at a table with other YWCA Clark County supporters.

Classic Wines Auction’s expanded events benefit over 44,000 children and families annually served by the five charity partners providing services, hope and opportunity to change the lives of thousands in our community.

YWCA's Join Forces and Become Fearless Together

“Strong alone, fearless together” is a phrase that you will often hear from Executive Director, Sherri Bennett. She, like many executives and staff throughout the region recognized a need for regional YWCAs to come together and become fearless with our work in public policy.

Over the past several months, the Public Policy Committee has begun collaborating with YWCAs throughout the state of Washington. This collaborative is called Firesteel – an online endeavor to join the voices of YWCAs across the state in our policy efforts. Together with YWCAs across the country, we are dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

The Washington State partnership team consists of liaisons from eight YWCAs in different areas throughout the state – Clark County, Wenatchee, Walla Walla, Yakima, Kitsap County, Pierce County, Bellingham, and Seattle-King-Snohomish.

On the Firesteel website each organization maintains an association page that focuses on local activity. You can see our page highlighting our ILS Program here.

This year, the overarching goal of statewide policy efforts is focused on housing and homelessness. The YWCAs of Washington State not only provide direct service to those vulnerable or experiencing homelessness, but proactively engage in policy advocacy through Firesteel to address the policies that can either limit or improve our services and resources for those that are vulnerable to homelessness. Similarly, we maintain programming, like the Family Unification Program highlighted on our association page, which works to prevent homelessness locally.

In our work with Firesteel, we aim to connect the policy dots. We will share the complexity and humanity behind institutional barriers and show the impact of these institutional barriers on our community.

Classic Wines is a Classic Win

We often are asked why YWCA Clark County participates in the annual Classic Wines Auction after more than a decade of hosting its own auction. Although the name and venue are different, the mission of this fundraiser has not changed.

What began as a small group of friends exchanging wine from personal collections to raise funds for women, children and families, became the Classic Wines Auction; one of the top ten charity wine auctions in the United States according to Wine Spectator magazine, prompting organizers to form a separate nonprofit entity in July 2004 supporting five Portland-based charities.

In 2008, YWCA leadership recognized that after 15 years of holding its own highly visible and successful auction, it was showing signs of strain. In our final year, it was more difficult to get attendees, items and sponsors. There were so many more events than there used to be – more non-profits raising money – that there was auction fatigue throughout the philanthropic community.

Around this time Classic Wines Auction asked YWCA Clark County to apply to be one of their partnership charities. YWCA leadership thought it was a good opportunity and good timing with the way things were trending.

Classic Wines Auction partners with non-profit organizations with the following characteristics: mission compatibility, effective organizational management, sound financial practices, Board-led fundraising, sustainability, and a solid volunteer network. The opportunity to marry our fundraising efforts with an organization that could widen our financial base was a great fit.

YWCA plays an active role in the success of the main auction and other supporting events. We offer opportunities for event underwriting, table sponsorships, procurement and attendance. Because of this, our staff, volunteer base and time is only one fourth the investment of our own auction. By having an organizing charity take the lead on logistics, YWCA does not have to secure venues, caterers, florists and a number of other items required to make an event this size flow smoothly.
The “Wine Working Wonders” is the main auction that takes place the first Saturday each March. The week preceding the auction, offers nearly thirty Winemaker Dinners and other wine functions. These are open to the public and a great alternative for people unable to attend the main auction.

Our involvement at this year’s event, which raised $2.47 million, proved to be very valuable to our organization. Total revenue is divided among Class Wines Auction and the partner charities. This month, YWCA will receive $350,000 in event proceeds. Only 23% of the YWCA’s revenue comes from philanthropy giving, of which Classic Wines revenue accounts for 58%. It is clear that YWCA Clark County truly benefits from this partnership.

funding the mission

ywca clark county serves the community through seven vital programs. Each program is entirely unique, and while indirect costs vary between programs, all share the need for trained volunteers, a place to work, insurance, IT and administrative support.

In 2011, volunteers provided a much needed 38,741 hours of service. Indirect costs include the salary of our employees that work hard to recruit, train and retain these valuable service-members. Without a safe place to provide advocacy and support, ywca could not provide service to those who have experienced sexual assault and domestic violence. Insurance is essential for every program, as it helps to maintain and support professional staff who in-general receive lower wages than those employed in the for-profit sector. Development (fundraising) and communication is as necessary for running an effective NPO as are marketing and sales for a for profit firm. Without IT support, lines of efficient and effective communication can crumble quickly. Finally, administrative support is essential to every program, as well as to the management and support of a fully functioning organization.

Recently, Boeing donated $2,310 to general operations at ywca clark county. When donors like Boeing recognize this type of need and respond to it, we are especially grateful. As seekers of freedom, justice and dignity for all, we understand it takes a variety of perspectives to achieve a mission of equality and empowerment. So, we are inspired, encouraged and empowered when our supporters choose to recognize and support our entire mission. If you would like to talk with the ywca about how you can help support this essential aspect of our organization, please contact Shawna Burkholder, Director of Development and Communications at 360 906 0123 or at sburkholder@ywcaclarkcounty.org.

Kaiser permanente supports healthy families

With ywca clark county’s SafeChoice Program, survivors of domestic violence have opportunities to change their lives through involvement in peer support groups. Attending these support groups, however, can be challenging for parents who have little or no access to child care. For these families, the lack of safe, affordable care can be their biggest barrier to success. Thanks to Kaiser Permanent this is no longer the case.

On August 23, 2011 ywca clark county received nearly $10,000 from Kaiser Permanente Gives – Volunteer Grant Program to provide childcare for parents attending the SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program support groups. Having access to free child care allows parents to attend weekly support groups which help them work through the damaging effects of verbal, emotional, sexual, or physical abuse; it is a major step towards healing.

Kaiser Permanente is committed to civic engagement and thus supports its employees who donate time and talent to charitable organizations like ywca clark county. The Volunteer Grant Program focuses on funding basic needs, such as child care, which provide a short-term bridge to addressing an immediate crisis. Without affordable, quality child care, parents are unable to heal and rebuild in order to help their families thrive.

ywca is thrilled to partner with Kaiser Permanente as both organizations work to improve the health of Clark County.

community foundation provides over $350,000 to ywca programs in 10 years

It is said that in times of great need comes great innovation. This was the case in 1984 when the economy, much like today, was in a recession and support at the state and federal levels was decreasing. Our community was struggling and searching for ways to improve the livability of its members, and from this hardship emerged great leaders who believed in the power of local philanthropy; thus, The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington was born.

“The entrepreneurial spirit of those local leaders coupled with the generosity and compassion of many who supported them in establishing the Community Foundation continues to live on,” notes Anne Digenis, Donor Services and Grants Manager. “Especially in these times of economic hardship, we feel fortunate to have an ongoing role in positively impacting the lives of countless people in need in our community. The clear vision of those who came before us serves as an example of how we all, working together, can make a big difference.”

Jump forward 25 years, and the Community Foundation continues to be a backbone of support for local nonprofits serving vulnerable populations – nonprofits like ywca clark county. Our partnership with the Community Foundation spans over a decade, and in that time the Community Foundation has generously granted over $350,000 to ywca programs. Together we have sheltered victims of domestic violence, provided stability to homeless preschoolers, advocated for abused and neglected children, created a catalyst of social change in neighboring communities, and taught independence to youth aging out of foster care.

This year, ywca again received funding to improve the lives of children and families in our community. On June 22nd, ywca clark county received two grants from two separate charitable funds held at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. $14,572 was awarded from the Community Giving Fund to the ywca’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program to increase advocacy for abused and neglected children, and $5,000 was awarded from the Children’s Trust Fund to the Y’s Care Children’s Program to initiate the Music Matters Project which will provide a music-focused curriculum for preschool children.

“We are proud to work with nonprofits such as ywca clark county, who wisely use the funds we invest in their programs. We will continue to connect our grantmaking priorities and our donor’s passions and resources to community needs, furthering our vision to inspire even stronger partnerships and growth in charitable giving.”

partner spotlight: Kohl’s Kares

The Classic Wines Auction is the ywca clark county’s largest fundraiser and requires hundreds of volunteers to help with setup and various assignments throughout the evening. One way the ywca recruits volunteers is through the Kohl’s Cares – Associates in Action program.

Associates in Action is Kohl’s community service and grant making program. The ywca submitted a volunteer request application for the Classic Wines Auction, and was provided five Clark County Kohl’s employees to setup the day of the auction. In addition to having five incredibly hardworking volunteers, the ywca also received a $500 grant to be used for any of our programs that serve children.

Since 2001, Kohl’s Cares – Associates in Action has contributed over 828,000 volunteer hours and $21.3 million in donations throughout the United States. The ywca is so grateful for organizations like Kohl’s that recognize that every dollar counts and every hand helps.

partner spotlight: Wells Fargo

On a cloudy Saturday afternoon eight volunteers from Wells Fargo arrived with shovels and wheelbarrows in hand to help give the Y’s Care play area a much-needed facelift.

Y’s Care children were thrilled to return to daycare on Monday and find their sandbox filled to the brim with clean sand and the playground enhanced with bright bark chips.

Y’s Care, a ywca program for more than 20 years, serves a vulnerable population of 2 ½ to 5 year olds and focuses on kindergarten readiness and social skills.

While the Y’s Care outdoor playground had some desirable qualities, the goal is to ultimately turn it into a more naturalistic play area, an outdoor classroom that encourages authentic play with a wide variety of natural materials to explore. Studies have shown that connecting children with nature has numerous benefits. This is where Wells Fargo kindly stepped in with a grant and volunteers to make the project a reality.

In just under three hours the volunteer team was able to transport three yards of white beach sand into the sand box and distribute four yards of bark chips around the playground. Wells Fargo’s gift of time, talent, and treasure transformed the Y’s Care Children’s Program’s outdoor play area.

In the spring bamboo fencing will be placed around play area to cover up the chain link fence and complete the naturalistic setting.

Projects like the playground refresh would not be possible without the tremendous support of our community partners and volunteers. Thank you!

For more information on volunteer opportunities please visit ywcaclarkcounty.org or call 360 696 0167.