YWCA of Van Wert County

Survivor Services:

*Safe, secure emergency and long-term, independent living facility for victims and their families, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

* Advocates are available 24-7 via our hot line number (567-259-9501).

* Survivors receive case management as well as on site therapeutic services and referrals as needed.

*Youth case manager provides support to youth living within our shelter.

* Outreach services available to survivors

* Human Trafficking 101 trainings: gives participants the basic under­standing of the various forms of trafficking, how victims are lured in and what trafficking looks like, especially in our area. HT 101 trainings are available free to businesses, schools and organizations.

Youth programs:

*Summer Food Program - providing free breakfast and lunch weekdays for 6 weeks in the summer for all youth in Van Wert County up to age 18. Daily activities for youth ages 5-12.

* Safer Smarter Kids - Free Kindergarten Violence Prevention program provided at all county schools.. Arming elementary school students, educators, parents, and caregivers with knowledge and skills to protect against abuse, exploitation, and digital dangers from a place of empowerment and fun – not fear

* Girls Circle - a structured support group for girls that encourages youth to share experiences that are helpful to one another in an emotionally safe setting .Participants express themselves further through creative or focused activities such as role playing, journaling, media, murals, poetry, drama, movement, drawing, collage, clay, visualization and imagery.

*Cougar Leaders - partnership with VW Middle School 7th grade provides op­portunities for students to learn more about our mission and impact their school and community through various projects and grow their leadership potential.

*RunJumpThrow: a hands on learning program designed to get kids excited about physical activity by introducing them to basic running, jumping, and throw­ing skills through track and field. The YWCA offers RJT at no cost each summer.

Mission Impact:

* Get out the vote: Through Get out the Vote, we assist in getting citizens of our community registered to vote in upcoming elections so their voic­es are heard!

* HERstory Matters: The strong women of our community have stories of empowerment to tell. As we encounter these women, the YWCA gives them a platform to share their story, whether it’s through an in-person event, social media blog or a video.

* Mission Resources: We provide resources and trainings to assist school administrators and educators with topics which correlate with our mis­sion. Often these resources and trainings are free.

* Until Justice Just IS: We take a Stand Against Racism by raising awareness about the impact of institutional and structural rac­ism and by building community among those who work for racial justice. Until Justice Just Is provides the opportunity for our community to unite their voices to educate, advocate, and promote racial justice.