WINTER 2 0 1 5
a quarterly publication of YWCA Central Carolinas
832
Cover story
3420 Park Road
Charlotte, NC 28209
A mom’s greatest pride: ‘My children have just flourished’
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.
704-525-5770
www.ywcacentralcarolina.org
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
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.
Marvette Monroe
President
Kirsten D. Sikkelee
Chief Executive Officer
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 program.
Isaiah, 8, dreams of becoming a
lawyer or pro athlete.
• An educator who smoothed
704-525-5770
ywcacentralcarolinas.org
Both children attend Walter
Bickett Elementary School in
Monroe, where the family lives.
Continued on Page 5
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.
These women are
making Charlotte
a better place
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.
Selina Campbell with children Isaiah
(left) and Sarai (right)
Amy, Deronda, Marian and Kirsten at the
Women of Achievement 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.
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.
Fitness Highlights - Winter/Spring
Register today for these events!
Find forms and pricing at the front desk and ywcacentralcarolinas.org
Advocacy Spotlight
YWCA helps
adults, families
find health care
Discover meditation with Elizabeth
When: 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.
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!
Get ready for Tuff Girl Boot Camp
When: 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)!
Allison Mojica is delivering
on the promise of health
care for our Charlotte
neighbors in need.
Allison arrived at the
YWCA’s Park Road campus 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 coverage. Call 704-909-2770
for an appointment.
When: 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)
“Affordable health care
is a huge barrier for so
many,” said Kirsten
Sikkelee, CEO of YWCA
Central Carolinas.
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.
“Connecting adults and
families with quality coverage will have an immediate
impact on their ability to
work, raise their children
and lead healthy lives.”
Check out new Splash & Dash Boot Camp
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Sarah Belk Gambrell Fitness Center
winter 2015
Please check the
schedule on the website,
Facebook and at the front
desk for updates.
group exercise and aquatics schedule - Instructions subject to change. Pool is open to all YWCA members during swim lessons.
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
6:00 - 6:45 am
Spin
6:00 - 6:55am
Cardio Strength
8am - 8:45am
Spin
6:15am - 6:55am
Cardio Strength
8am - 8:45am
Spin
9am - 9:45am
Spin
8am - 8:45am
Spin
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 - 9:50am
Aqua Fun Fitness
8am - 8:50am
H20 Dyamics:
Deep Water
9:30am - 10:25am
Deep Stretch/Barre
Tone
9am - 9:45am
Move & Groove
10am - 10:55am
Core 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 - 11:30am
Yoga 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 - 6pm
Spin
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 6:55pm
Yoga I
10:30am
Spin
Occasional Pop-Up
6pm - 6:55pm
Vinyasa Yoga II/III
6pm - 6:45pm
Spin
6pm - 6:55pm
Vinyasa Yoga I/II
6:15pm - 7:05pm
Aqua Cardio
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
sunday
4pm - 4:55pm
Deep Stretch
Occasional Pop-Up
Pop 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-f
Adult Swim
2pm - 4 pm
Yoga Fusion
$20 workshop
Once a month
*see event
calendar for dates
Get our email
updates! Reach
JCanfield@ywca
centralcarolinas.org
4
Board of
Directors
Marvette M. Monroe,
president
Deepa Naik,
president-elect
Leslee K. Bertsch,
treasurer
Anjali D. Arnold
Sharon Blalock
Linda Christopherson
Jean Cochrane
Brittany Conner
Donna Dunlap
Loree Elswick
Jada Grandy
Christina Howard
Nyaka NiiLampti, Ph.D
Anne Pipkin
Teresa Williams
Karen Zapata
Sarah Belk Gambrell,
board member emeritus
Kirsten D. Sikkelee,
chief executive officer
Advisory
Council
Darren Ash
Mary Lou Babb
Joanne Beam
Suzanne Bledsoe
Sarah Bryant
Marty Clontz
Roger Cobb
Betty M. Doster
Toni Freeman
Lyttleton Rich Hollowell
Charles Izard
Allen Jackson
Alison Patient
Sara Pressly
Martha Schmitt
Andy Young
Our own ‘Professor Kenya’ speaks at Queens
Kenya Henderson took on the role of
college professor…but just for a day.
“It’s just changed her attitude all
the way around,” Selina said of her
daughter’s progress.
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
“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.
Kenya Henderson (wearing scarf)
welcomed friends from Zachry Engineering.
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
[email protected]
Sarah’s Legacy: Congress passes charitable IRA rollover
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
Marianne D. Schild grace period.
Director of Donor
Relations
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 [email protected] or 704-525-5770
2
Thank You
A mom’s greatest pride, continued from Page 1
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“It’s just
vide the best for her
changed
children.
her attitude
all the way
around.”
“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
Happy retirement! Ligia Mason reflects on her mission
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.
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 hallmark 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
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
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.
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 speaks at her retirement party.
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 reinforce equality.
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.
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