Beginning January 1, 2022, YWCA each employee received 2 additional ‘flexible holidays’ for Juneteenth and Unity Day (can be used for non-traditional religious holidays).   This will be in addition to our standard paid holidays. Flexible holidays must be taken within the calendar year and will not carryover if not used (like personal time), and can’t be used in increments.  For part-time employees scheduled to work a minimum of 25 hours per week over 12 months, the flexible holidays are pro-rated. Employee can find these hours in their time off balances in ADP. 

Leadership for Social Change 2022

We are excited to announce the acceptance of TWO outstanding YWCA Columbus staff members into the 2022 Leadership for Social Change 2022! Please congratulate Sharday Urtarte, Project Specialist, and Liz Kittner, Communications & Technology Specialist, as they join other change-makers in developing leadership skills to advance social change in our community.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Trainings in 2021

2021 was a year of transformation and growth for the Leadership & Social Justice team, as we embarked on building a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training business. Not only did we develop a slew of new training services and expand the team, we began implementing these services to the greater Columbus community, starting a ripple effect of change.

In 2021, we provided training to over 1400 people and 24 organizations, who reported significant improvements in racial literacy, and in their awareness of and commitment to practicing anti-racism in their decision-making power.

Entrepreneurship Education

Our team is working on some big projects to support student’s social-emotional health, streamline and enhance new staff training, and teach entrepreneurship education in our programs. 

In December, we were thrilled to have Chic Thompson join our team to teach us about his youth entrepreneur curriculum we’re using. Chic is a Batten Fellow of Entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and has worked with and for major corporations including Disney, Pepsi, Starbucks, GoreTex and others to help them develop new ideas, innovate, and overcome challenges. He’s a talented cartoonist and persuasive communicator. He has worked with schools and youth-serving organizations across the US, Africa, Central and South America to build the entrepreneurial mindset in children, youth and teens. He calls his dyslexia a gift because it helps him to see the world differently – a perspective that sparks creativity and problem-solving skills. This different perspective is one that we can all learn from. You can learn more about Chic and his work in his “Life is a Brainstorm” Tedx Talk and by checking out the WagiLabs website.

Our Social Media Accounts

Are you following YWCA Columbus on social media? Be sure to check out our accounts and follow along as we share updates on the hard work from staff across the Y and the impact YWCA Columbus makes in the community. 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Facebook 

Twitter

TikTok (first posts coming this month!)

Stand Against Racism Challenge

In 2022, the 21-Day Challenge and the Stand Against Racism campaign will combine to become the Stand Against Racism Challenge. It will still involve 21-days of racial equity content for our audience to engage with and discuss. It will take place in April, so watch your email for registration information in the spring! 

Women of Achievement 2022

Our 37th Annual Women of Achievement will be held on Wednesday, April 27th.