June 2026 

June Birthdays

2 Melissa Tannenbaum 
3 Nathaniel Adjei 
4 Anne Cronin 
4 Marie Lundy 
6 Erniesha Guerrier 
8 Sara Hosni 
9 Ebony Crosby 
11 Dana Raymond 
11 Nancy Conkel 
11 Sarah Leckwatch 
12 Christine Hickernell 
14 Gabriella Caroselli 
15 Jackie Cherry 
19 Micah Dupler 
20 Christine Loveless 
21 Maia Kover 
21 Connor Madden 
22 Victoria Conkel 
22 Zion Tubbs 
24 Aaliah Bogin 
25 Cheryl Struble 
27 Emily Jacobs 
29 Diana Campbell 
30 Alexa Molitor

1 YEAR
Makayla Jordan 

2 YEARS
Carmen Chukes 
Mariah Martinez 

3 YEARS
Lana Hejazin 
Erin Scott 

4 YEARS
Christina Walls 

June Anniversaries

5 YEARS 
Sasha Bowers-Ulmer 
Nichole Maddux 
Sherita Smith 

7 YEARS
Ryan Kennedy

8 YEARS
Jackie Cherry 

16 YEARS 
Jerry Cobbs 

Welcome to the following team members who joined Team YW in May this year! We’re thrilled you are here. 

  • Susan Firth 

  • Kyle Holman 

  • Shanell Smith 

  • Whitney Stewart 

  • Please take a moment to fill out YWCA Columbus’ quick survey that will help guide our programs, events, and communications in the coming months. We appreciate your thoughtful feedback! 

  • In case you missed the most empowering event of the year – or you just want to relive the day! - check out the full recording here or a quick recap here – or click to view a photo gallery from the event and other details about the day.   

  • Support the students in your life—or the educators and youth leaders you know—by connecting with opportunities that build stronger, more informed communities. YWCA Columbus' Bright Futures Empowerment Program offers two engaging workshops—both open to participants of all genders—designed for youth in grades 7-12:  

    • The Advocacy 101 Workshop builds practical advocacy and leadership skills to empower them as young people. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, students gain tools to explore their strengths and define their voice to create meaningful change. This session is completely free and facilitated by Aliyah Hiram and Navya Nalla. 

    • The RE:101 Workshop is an introductory session exploring racial equity and anti-Black systemic racism in America. Adaptable for school or community settings, it is an engaging way to get students on the pathway to be effective change agents in their community. This workshop can be 1, 1.5, or 2 hours, is free of charge, and is facilitated by Aliyah Hiram and Navya Nalla.  

    Please share this opportunity with folks you know who work with students and help expand our impact. Together, we can better equip the next generation of change-makers! Contact Aliyah Hiram or Navya Nalla to learn more and sign up! 

  • Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s YWCA Racial Justice Challenge and joined our culminating virtual panel. ICYMI, The League of Women Voters of Metro Ohio, Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), and American Association of People with Disabilities joined YWCA Columbus to discuss what’s at stake and how you can take action – click the button below to watch the recording!  

    As we recognize the 250th anniversary of the United States amid The Supreme Court’s recent VRA ruling and other state-led voter suppression tactics, protecting voting rights and access is critical. If you want to get involved in voter registration efforts in your community, click here to connect with our partner, Indivisible Central Ohio, to get started! 

  • Safe & Sound – Jenkins now offers FREE half-day preschool (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.) through YWCA Columbus’ partnership with Early Start Columbus! Extended care is available through private pay, PFCC or CCCP. 

    Conveniently located near Downtown Columbus (in Merion Village), Safe & Sound – Jenkins provides safe and stimulating learning spaces, caring, experienced teachers, and social, emotional, and academic development. Click here to learn more or contact Emily Jacobs (ejacobs@ywcacolumbus.org) to enroll! 

Team Announcements + Updates

Ms. Mariah Cox, Safe & Sound's School Age Teacher, has been assisting in other classrooms and creating fun, loving and caring connections with all the other children. Ms. Mariah has been jumping in where she can help and is still creating monumental memories with her school agers. We love Ms. Mariah! 🙂 

Shout out to Micah Dupler for showing up in big and small ways to support the organization and uplifting his clients, ensuring they’re able to put their best foot forward in reaching their goals.

YWCA Columbus in the News

The YWCA Columbus team gathered for our spring All-Staff Celebration in May, surrounding each other with joy and fueling all that we do – advocating, supporting families, and fighting for equity. We were grateful for the opportunity to gather, enjoy one another’s company, and recognize the impact of our daily work!  

May’s Justice Gem talked about matriarchy & the women who raised us – check it out! 

Makiva L. McIntosh, chief advancement and engagement officer at YWCA, shared with Axios Columbus how YWCA Columbus’ philanthropic approach has been shaped by the current climate and our need for individual donors to give back. 

Makiva McIntosh and CFO Dana Raymond were also honored as Movers & Shakers at Columbus Urban League’s HERstory Makers event this year.  

Fifty women who “have shown exemplary leadership and made significant impacts on central Ohio” were selected as part of the inaugural class of Who's Who In Black Columbus Women of Excellence, including several YWCA Columbus Women of Achievement and Women on the Rise. Tauana McDonald, a 2026 Woman of Achievement, was honored as Woman of the Year! Congratulations, Tauana, Ruchelle Pride, Trudy Bartley, Dr. Mysheika Roberts, Gayle Saunders, APR, Suzan Bradford Kounta, Tei Y. Street, Dawn Tyler Lee, as well as our current CFO, Dana Raymond, Board Chair Erika Clark Jones, board members Dr. Melissa Shivers and Marchelle Moore, and many other YWCA “alumni”! 

Preschoolers from both the Harvey Court and Jenkins Avenue Safe & Sound locations graduated on Friday, May 29. The ceremony is a highlight each year, and we’re grateful to all the staff who attended and cheered them on! 

Charlene Porter, a current resident at the YWCA Family Center, was on the front page of The Columbus Dispatch on Monday, June 1. Check out the story here! YWCA Columbus has already received several requests to help her via cash or material donations, which we are directing appropriately. We’re so grateful for the community’s outpouring of support – and for the work y’all do each day to support the folks we serve! 

YWCA Kids Place Summer Camp started on Monday, June 1, as well, and all five sites – including brand-new location, Whittier Elementary – are looking forward to a fun Summer of Celebrations! 

Looking for the last issue of YWConnect? Read YWConnect May 2026 here.