*|MC:SUBJECT|*

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3

Black History Month is a time to honor, resist, and align. YWCA remains committed to standing by Black communities, honoring Black history, and celebrating Black legacies.

We honor the countless lives ended by the harrowing sins of racism and police brutality, lives like those of Tyre Nichols, Jayland Walker, and Keenan Anderson.

We resist narratives that blame individuals for daring to Black while driving, walking, or simply living, the systems of oppression that structure every aspect of our lives, and the racist rhetoric that are imbued in our language, media, and policy-making.

We align ourselves with the on-going work to make clear that Black Lives Matter, this month and every month.

Start or continue your Allyship journey!
In honor of Black History Month and our yearlong mission to eliminate racism and empower women, YWCA McLean County is excited to launch its second Allyship Institute from February 13th to February 17th, 2023. This year's focus will be on misogynoir, the specific kinds of discrimination and oppression that Black women face.

Last year, we had the privilege of connecting for a full three-week program, and while we appreciated the time to connect and reflect, we want to offer a more accessible one-week program. We know this work is lifelong and this week serves as a launching pad and/or continuing step on our journeys towards anti-racism advocacy and accountability.

We invite people of all backgrounds, professions, and experience levels to join us for a week-long interactive, virtual learning experience to be better allies to Black women, now and into the future.

Learn More or Register

DEI Training Available
YWCA McLean County strives to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women. A key pillar of our mission is the intentional development of interactive training for our communities. We partner with K–12 schools, universities, non-profits, businesses, and interest groups to offer vital educational opportunities on inclusion, equity, and access. Our team of trained educators are prepared to offer custom content to you and your team. Some of our areas of expertise include:

Violence Prevention
Eliminating Race and Racism
Gender Equity
Privilege & Oppression
Combatting Bias
Workplace Accessibility

LGBTQIA+ Allyship
Interfaith Collaborations
Advocacy and
Socioemotional Well-Being
Dispelling Myths on
Immigration

We offer a sliding pay scale for one-of or recurring trainings. Questions? Contact Hannah Mesouani, Director of Mission & Equity Consulting.

Request a Training

YWCA Employee Spotlight

Anesdra "Nes" Garland joined YWCA McLean County in September 2019 as a Prevention Educator with the Stepping Stones program. She works diligently to build relationships with community partners and district administrators. As a result, the education team is currently presenting Erin’s Law to all elementary schools in Unit 5 and District 87.

Additionally, Nes has been presenting a healthy relationship curriculum to Bloomington High School, Normal Community High School, Leroy High School, El Paso High School, as well Illinois State University. She has also been an integral part of developing and implanting an inclusive curriculum to reach the special education classrooms in public elementary schools.

Anesdra is a team player, hard worker, and mentor to staff, interns, and volunteers. Her love and dedication to her work and her team is unmatched and we are incredibly grateful for her.

Make a difference and advance your career with YWCA McLean County. Our supportive team, professional development opportunities, and commitment to diversity and inclusion create a positive and fulfilling work environment. Plus, flexible work arrangements help you achieve a good work-life balance. Check out our open roles below and join us in eliminating racism and empowering women:

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a Gift from Labyrinth Made Goods
Labyrinth Made Goods is offering the rare opportunity for you to be part of the fragrance development of some projects they have in the works. They’ll be at Vera and Buck Floral Studio tonight for Downtown Bloomington's First Friday Tour de Chocolat! Stop by, get a sniff, and get your Valentine's Day shopping done in one stop. Grab a beautiful bouquet and a Labyrinth Made Goods candle on your way out.

Labyrinth Made Goods is also currently running a combo special: buy 1 candle, get 1 fragrance card FREE! Plus you'll get a handwritten note of encouragement from one of their team members.

Public Comment
On January 23, Jen Golliday, Director of Stepping Stones, represented YWCA at the Bloomington City Council meeting to inform them of the critical services Stepping Stones provides. She did a wonderful job and we appreciate her taking the time out of her evening to connect with elected officials.

Black History Month Resources

BUSINESS
Black-Owned Businesses
Minority-Owned Businesses
BIPOC-Owned Central Illinois Facebook Group

BOOKS
YWCA Suggestions
Bloomington Public Library HOOPLA App

Dates of note:
February is Black History Month

February 05: FMLA Anniversary
February 07: State of the Union Address
February 12: Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
February 11: Day of Women and Girls in Science
February 13-17: Allyship Institute
February 14: Valentine's Day
February 14: Anniversary of Parkland Massacre
February 15: Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday
February 20: President's Day
February 20: World Day of Social Justice
February 23: W.E.B. Du Bois' Birthday
February 25: Kiwanis Pancake Day

Follow us on social media for news and updates!