onegreater los angeles

Working together for peace, justice, freedom, equality and dignity.

pg 2 Taproot Foundation

WHAT’S INSIDE

pg 3 Women Behind the YWCA GLA

Summer 2013

YWCA Greater Los Angeles Salutes Los Angeles’ Top Women Executives

On May 15, 2013, the YWCA Greater Los Angeles hosted the annual Phenomenal Woman Awards Luncheon which salutes LA’s top women executives. Presented by Edison International and Union Bank, the event was held at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel and hosted by Clear Channel’s radio personality Josefa Salinas with the event

theme, “Celebrating Leaders of Grace and Strength”. During the event, Mary Fisher was named the 2013 Phenomenal Woman of

the Year. Fisher travels the world advocating for those who share her HIV-positive status. She has served as an ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and on the Leadership Council of the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS.

Faye Washington said, “YWCA Greater Los Angeles is honored to salute Mary Fisher with the 2013 Phenomenal Woman of the Year Award. Her compassion and courage have made her a strong voice speaking out on behalf of human rights both regionally and internationally. She is indeed a Phenomenal Woman and advocate.”

Michelle Isenberg, Principal of Isenberg & Associates Fine Art Advisors received the inaugural President’s Award. The inspirational art for the YWCA GLA Urban Campus, which includes original works and reproductions, was made possible because of Michelle’s direction and vision and took the visual aspect of the campus to a stunning level of beauty and aspiration.

“Michelle is a woman of extraordinary vision and creativity. When we launched plans for our dream of the Urban Campus to house our many programs and Job Corps, we had an opportunity and obligation to make sure the facility offers a strong positive message for our young people as a key factor in their success. Michelle created an outstanding image and messaging

2013 Phenomenal Woman Awards Luncheon:Welcome to

ONE VOICE,

ONE MOVEMENT,

ONE VISION.

If you would like to receive One Voice via email, please email monica.galindo@ywcagla.org.

pg 4 Job Corps Graduates Vocational Nursing Class!

Phenomenal Woman Awards continued on page 6.

pg 6 Angeles Mesa Empowerment Center

We create a safe space to live, learn and grow.Taproot Foundation:Top Business Executives to Offer Pro Bono Key Messaging and Brand Strategy Services to YWCA Greater Los Angeles

The Taproot Foundation has awarded the YWCA Greater Los Angeles a Key Messages and Brand Strategy Service Grant with an estimated value of $55,000. In a Key Messages and Brand Strategy Service Grant, a pro bono consultant team crafts unique brand positioning and tailored messages that resonate with the organization’s audiences. In addition, they review the nonprofit’s existing name, logo and communication materials and train the nonprofit’s board to be more effective champions of the organization.

Taproot’s mission is to lead, mobilize and engage professionals in pro bono service that drives social change. The name “Taproot” means the core root of a plant. According to their website the taproot “gathers nutrients from lateral roots and delivers them to a plant to enable it to flourish. We see ourselves as a taproot for the nonprofit sector, drawing nutrients from the community and delivering them to nonprofits to enable them to thrive.”

In 2001, the Taproot Foundation was founded to build on historic efforts to make the pro bono service ethic part of every business profession and ensure all nonprofits have access to the professional talent they need to serve their communities and advance our collective progress.

To expand pro bono service beyond the Service Grant program, in 2008 Taproot expanded its efforts to become the leading national advocate for pro bono service. Inspired by President Kennedy, Taproot’s founder Aaron Hurst lobbied the President to create a parallel challenge to the business community to use their skills to help the nation in a time of critical need. The result was the White House campaign – Billion + Change.

The YWCA Greater Los Angeles and Related/Osborne Street Development Company have partnered to provide services to the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. The Osborne Street Apartments currently provide housing to over 100 low income families and seniors. This newly constructed facility will house an empowerment center operated by YWCA Greater Los Angeles with the focus of enriching the lives of youth, seniors and families through distinct empowerment services.

As of late spring, construction for the YWCA

GLA Walnut Park Empowerment Center is over 22% along with a completion date goal of early 2014. ‘Green’ building practices are being honored for this process including: high efficiency irrigation system, the use of drought tolerant plants, durable materials with low formaldehyde sealants, non-VOC paint, energy star appliances, and high efficiency air conditioning system. When the center opens, local residents will immediately benefit from Child Development services as well as programs focused on healthy lifestyles.

Osborne Empowerment Center Opened May 2013 and Walnut Park Empowerment Center to be complete Spring 2014! YWCA Greater Los Angeles New Empowerment Centers:

Workforce Development:YWCA Greater Los Angeles Develops the Local Workforce through Education, Job Preparation/Placement and Financial Literacy

Flowing from the YWCA GLA mission to empower, we are dedicated to developing the local workforce through focusing on education, job preparation/placement and financial literacy. Various efforts are executed throughout the year in keeping with this mission.

One such workforce development effort is the “Financial Stability Workshop”. Through a partnership with United Way, businesses partner with the YWCA GLA by sending volunteer employees to work one-on-one with youth regarding job interviewing skills, resume building, mock interviews and interviewing tips. Over 50 YWCA GLA participants worked with 25 volunteer HR employees from Ernst & Young in the fall and over 35 participants benefited from various AIG employees in April. During the workshop, each participant received a packet that included several job descriptions. Each volunteer acted as the hiring manager and conducted a mock interview with the participants for the job they received information regarding. Once the interview was complete, the volunteers gave feedback and

Workforce Development continued on the back page.

PAGE 2

when I started my path as a working single mother. I learned to look to many different women and pull the lessons I needed, person by person. I realized that every person can teach us something; either things to do and as importantly, things we should not do. So I became a student of human nature. Once I realized that I could be successful as a professional woman and a single mother, I decided that I wanted to help other women be all they could be by being a role model. I feel that when we empower women we empower families and when families are empowered communities are empowered; thus changing the world.

Women are the backbone of our communities. I have empowered women through one-on-one mentoring; group mentoring as well as old fashioned sisters supporting sisters. In my profession of banking; I have mentored numerous up and coming professionals. I encouraged them to take advantage of opportunities, to step outside of their comfort zone and to accept special assignments that will give them exposure to senior and executive management. That’s how the corporate ladder is climbed!

Why are you committed to your work on the Board of the YWCA GLA? Why is it important from the community’s perspective?

I am committed to serving on the board of the YWCA GLA because it grants me the access and opportunity to impact lives and change communities.

The community must have advocates! People, who have different experiences, people who know that things can be better; that there is another way. This realization comes from exposure. Many of the people that non-profits serve have limited exposure to what is possible. I once served on another non-profit board that mentored young ladies from the urban areas of the city. The majority of the youth and their families had never seen the ocean and they only lived seven miles east of the ocean. Their reality was what I called their 4-mile radius; they went to church in the community, they went to school in the community and only left the community to work - never to explore.

Because of their limited perspective, another/better way to live was not always considered. Those of us who have explored and discovered that there is more, it is our responsibility to introduce the rest of the world and the possibilities to others and encourage our youth and women to broaden their horizons.

The other reason the YWCA GLA’s mission is important to the community is because of the services we provide: child care, sexual assault crisis services, youth and senior services.

Women Behind the YWCA Greater Los Angeles: Eleanor Beasley, President YWCA GLA Board of Directors

Women Behind the YWCA GLA continued on page 5.

Meet Eleanor Beasley, new President of the Board of Directors for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles. Eleanor has served on the YWCA GLA Board of Directors for four years including

stints as the Fund Development Committee Chair, Board Treasurer and Board Vice President. Eleanor is an entrepreneur and financial services professional with over thirty years’ experience in the industry specializing in Treasury Management Senior Level Management. Eleanor started her banking career as a teller as she worked her way through college and progressed to Senior Vice President for the largest regional bank headquartered in

California. In 2010, Eleanor began her bank consulting business, Eleanor Beasley Business Banking Consultants (EBBBC) delivering a platform that gives business management the opportunity to offload critical tasks to a reliable and experienced outside resource.

What is your vision for the Board of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles?

Timing would have it that I will oversee the implementation of our new 2013–2017 strategic plan. This is a great opportunity for our current board members to personally influence the future of the YWCA GLA and to leave our mark on history. The YWCA GLA will celebrate 125 years in existence during this strategic period. Phenomenal!

My vision is that the board of directors will have an opportunity to personally engage with one of the many programs offered by the YWCA GLA. I encourage each board member to connect on the ground level with the Empowerment Center Managers and have direct access to our constituents. I believe that board members are better able to promote the mission and our vision to prospective board members and potential supporters and sponsors when we have passion and testimonials about the services we provide. There is nothing like experiencing our programs first hand and witnessing how profoundly our services are impacting our communities. I want to create an avenue and maintain an environment where this can happen holistically without a lot of planning and managing.

Why does the mission of the YWCA resonate with you personally?

Empowering women has been one of my long time commitments. There weren’t a lot of women professional role models thirty years ago when I started my corporate climb and PAGE 3

O N E V O I C EO N E V O I C E

On May 3, 2013, a highly anticipated group of eleven Los Angeles Job Corps (LAJC) students proudly graduated from the Vocational Nursing Program. This was the first class to participate in their own graduation commencement in many years.

“This rigorous program enables students to become productive and employable members of the nursing profession as well as society in general,” shared Stephanie Lewis, Director of Career Development Division, LAJC. “It is a great program for Job Corps students because the access to vocational nursing programs is rapidly diminishing. Programs that are still available are usually in private colleges with tuitions beyond what most of our students can afford. This program allows students to train in one of the fastest growing occupational fields. Many of our students are hired as Nursing Assistants after completing the program, while awaiting NCLEX licensure because of their skills as nurses and because of their ability to interact with hospital staff.”

The Job Corps Vocational Nursing Program is currently 14 months. Students enrolled in this program must complete a minimum of 1530 hours as mandated by the State of California before they are able to sit for the NCLEX exam to become licensed as a Vocational Nurse. Students who are enrolled in this class must complete a series of commitments. First, they must meet a minimum of 10.0 on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) as well as a minimum score of 9.0 on the same test in math. Next, each student must sit for a panel interview in which they are asked a series of questions. The highest score that a student can receive in the interview portion is 300. After the completion of interviews, each students score is ranked and the top 15 students are selected for the program.

“Job Corps Vocational Nursing Program faculty and staff are committed to educating our students to their maximum potential. We are cognizant of the changing state-of-the-art materials, equipment and concepts within the health care delivery system and view our role as facilitators in advancing these changes. Therefore, we believe that each student needs a broad experience as the health care delivery system is ever-changing. We believe that the success of the Vocational Nursing Program necessitates a teacher-student relationship with active participation from both parties,” continued Lewis.

Taught by two Registered Nurses and one Licensed Vocational Nurse, the program begins with each student enrolled in the PRE-VN class. During this period of the

class, students are introduced to basic math and calculations for medicine to ensure they will be

successful once they begin clinical rotations. The class structure combines theory and

clinical rotations with various hospitals. Clinical rotations start as early as 6:30am and allow students to gain hands-on experience in all settings (medical surgical, obstetrics, pediatrics etc).

Upon successful program completion, the graduates are prepared to:

• Demonstrate an understanding and mastery of the principles and practices of fundamental

nursing skills• Demonstrate an understanding and mastery of

theoretical and practical concepts of basic and advanced medical-surgical nursing

• Demonstrate an understanding and mastery of the principles and practices of obstetrics, pediatrics, pharmacology, psychology, nutrition and growth and development

• Demonstrate successful passage of the National Council for Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN/VN)

Congratulations to the 2013 Vocational Nursing

graduating class!

Dennis Ace S. Ami

Manuel Balcazar-Aguilar

Crystal Bocardo-Palomino

Vanessa Castro

Anteneh Desta

Anthony Gonzalez

Ingrid Palacios

Maureen Torio

Wendy Villena

Adebabay Walleign

Nath King Zipagan

PAGE 4

YWCA GLA Job Corps: Los Angeles Job Corps Vocational Nursing Class of 2013 Graduation!

O N E V O I C E

We help families learn, grow and heal! I personally understand the struggle in all of these

categories; my life’s journey has taken me to places where I benefited from similar services offered by the YWCA GLA. So, first hand I know how critical it is to have a safe place to leave your child while you go to work to try to have a better life. As a domestic violence survivor, I know how important it is to have a place to call for help - NOW! As a single mother of a teen daughter, I was challenged to keep my child busy with positive activities, so youth centers and youth activities are critical. My aging mother is now taking advantage of the senior services offered by the YWCA GLA and other like organizations, her ability to go out and socialize with other seniors is critical and priceless. This helps the entire family. When my mother is not “connected” and motivated, her physical and mental health deteriorate. The YWCA GLA understands the cycle of life and offer services to the community to support the need at each phase of the cycle.

“Nugget Moment”: what has been a special event or experience you have had while working on the Board of the YWCA GLA?

Each time I visit the Los Angeles Job Corps site or see these young people at YWCA GLA events, I am so proud of the students and very proud to know that I am impacting their lives in a very small way. They are always so poised and professional. Occasionally, one will share the story of their life’s journey and you will find it hard to believe that the poised confident person standing before you have overcome such life struggles and challenges. It encourages me to persevere when I am challenged, because of course, if this young person can do it surely I can.

My other favorite moments are when I visit our child care sites and see the babies and little people happy and safe I have great joy during those moments. I am a grandmother and I am always concerned about the health and well-being of my grandson so when I see how the YWCA GLA is giving these babies a safe place to learn and grow it warms my heart and brings a smile to my face.

What is something interesting about you personally that others might not know?

Something about me people may not know is that I LOVE photography! Chances are you will never find me without a camera. I appreciate nature and the natural beauty of people and food. I have over 5000 pictures on my iPad and probably 20,000 more on my computer.

Passing the Torch: Outgoing Board President Vivian Howell Sets the Stage for President-Elect Eleanor Beasley

With the beginning of July 2013, the YWCA GLA will say goodbye to the current Board President and welcome a new president. Vivian Howell has been President of the

YWCA GLA Board for 3 years and has served for 5 of her 6 year board commitment. Vivian has dedicated a great deal of passion and energy to the growth of the organization.

Passing the gavel of the Board Presidency, causes me to reflect on my tenure and the tremendous work that touches so many lives by the YWCA GLA community. This association has been able to grow exponentially with focused evolvement due to the shared

vision and implementation of strategic goals. What an extraordinary association!” shared Ms. Howell. “It has been able to attract and maintain extremely competent and strong leadership and staff; taken on a developer role with the construction and habitation of Union Pacific and the Urban Campus; garnered immense success with Empowerment Councils; and, operates stellar programs, which many YW sister associations are looking to for best practices. It has been my honor to be associated with the YWCA GLA and to work with a growing dedicated Board. As I remain a Board member for another year, I am personally fulfilled by having lead the Board in service and thank the Board, CEO, staff and all of our partners for all that you continue to do to ensure that the YWCA GLA continues to meet its mission.”

Thank you Vivian for your dedication to the work of the YWCA GLA! Vivian passes the torch to Eleanor Beasley, President-Elect for the upcoming 3 years. Eleanor has served on the YWCA Board for four years.

“I am excited to step into this important leadership role as the YWCA GLA Board of Directors President because this is a time of sustainable growth for the YWCA GLA. Our new 2013-2017 strategic plan being implemented this summer is a roadmap for the future,” stated Eleanor. “Now that we have settled into our new state of the art downtown facility, we are positioned for this new opportunity to become woven into the fabric of downtown Los Angeles. We have an opportunity to introduce the YWCA GLA and our profound impact on the community to new supporters and engage new sponsors. I am excited to serve during this time of exploration and organizational growth.”

Welcome Eleanor and thank you for your service to the community through leading the YWCA GLA Board.

Women Behind the YWCA GLA continued.

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YWCA Greater Los Angeles Locations:

To support the work of the YWCA GLA visit: www.ywcagla.org

greater los angeles

O N E V O I C E

Union Pacific Empowerment Center 4315 Union Pacific Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90023Programs: Childcare, Seniors, Youth

Osborne Empowerment Center12059 Osborne Street Sylmar, CA 91331 Programs: Seniors, Transitional Housing

Angeles Mesa Empowerment Center 2501 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008Programs:Child Development, Sexaul Assault Crisis Services

Sexual Assault Outreach Specialist, Olivia Alvarez closed out the activities of “Week Without Violence” with a Community Self-Defense Class at Union Pacific.

Walnut Park Empowerment CenterOpening Fall 2013!7515 Pacific Blvd. Walnut Park, CA 90255Programs:Child Development, Sexaul Assault Crisis Services

Compton Empowerment Center 1600 E. Compton Blvd. Compton, CA 90221Programs: Child Development, Sexaul Assault Crisis Services

North Valley Infant Learning Center11133 Omelveny AveSan Fernando, CA 91340Programs: Child Development

YWCA GLA Urban CampusExecutive Office1020 South Olive Street Los Angeles, CA 90015Programs: Job Corps, Workforce Training

Studio Club 1215 Lodi Place Los Angeles, CA 90038Programs: Transitional Housing

South Bay Empowerment Center 920 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, CA 90813Programs: Sexaul Assault Crisis Services

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O N E V O I C E

Angeles Mesa Empowerment Center:YWCA Greater Los Angeles Offers Child Development, Sexual Assault Crisis Services and Girls Empowerment Club to the Crenshaw District, Baldwin Hills and surrounding areas

For over forty years, the YWCA GLA has served the southern Los Angeles community through the Angeles Mesa Empowerment Center. The center is deeply rooted in the community and seen as a foundational part of positive change.

“This program has been a beacon for families. This is a place of hope and help for the Crenshaw district, Baldwin Hills and surrounding areas,” explains Kimberley Hundley, YWCA GLA Angeles Mesa SACS Site Manager. “Everyone here knows about the program and they have fond childhood memories of being here.”

Although various programs have been offered throughout the years based on community need, currently the YWCA GLA offers a vibrant Child Development program and a vital Sexual Assault Crisis Services (SACS) program. The Child Development program serves over 60 children, ages three to five, and their families by offering top notch affordable preschool and child care. As children matriculate into K5 from Angeles Mesa, they are prepared and well rounded, having been given a strong foundation in education, social skills and character development.

SACS at Angeles Mesa began nearly five years ago with the acquisition of the Rosa Parks Center, a local rape crisis center that was scheduled to close. The YWCA GLA built the current program out of its deep roots of community service in this field and now serves well over two thousand individuals annually through individual and group counseling, 24-hour crisis hotline, accompaniment services, community education workshops and presentations. YWCA GLA SACS employees are seen as experts in their field and they present on a variety of topics including classes on self defense, healthy relationships, teen dating violence, sexual assault awareness 101, and safety tips.

One newer program that began as a response to community need along with the YWCA GLA’s expertise in this area is the Girls Empowerment Club. The program pilot began in January 2013 and from the program’s findings, it will be offered this summer two days a week from 1:00pm to 4:00pm for girls ages 12 to 17. The program will include various offerings such as recreational activities, girls’ empowerment, healing arts, and educational field trips.

“It is part of the YWCA GLA DNA to seek and incorporate community input. Along with empowerment councils, we have implemented a quarterly ‘Social Service Round Table Networking’ breakfast where we invite all social agencies in south LA and enjoy a time to learn from each other and grow in what we all do,” continued Hundley.

A recent example of YWCA GLA’s respect from and response to the local community has come from the tragedy

at Miramonte Elementary School. When it was discovered that a faculty member was including students in vile and abusive activities, the YWCA Angeles Mesa SACS program was contacted to work with the Parent Center to offer counseling, information, presentations and in-services.

“There is great need in South LA for viable programs supporting women and families. I love

how the YWCA GLA consistently responds to the need of the community,” shared Hundley.

opportunity in every space and wall of the facility. She has transformed the appearance of our dream by communicating our mission and she has and will have an immeasurable impact on the young people who walk our halls,” shared Washington.

The Phenomenal Woman Awards fundraiser draws Southern California’s top women executives and leaders to salute their accomplishments before an audience of the Los Angeles business community. Presented by Edison International and Union Bank, Media Sponsor was Los Angeles Confidential Magazine. Top sponsors included Toyota, Southern California Gas Company, Zenith Insurance Company, Vivian D. Howell, Jenkins/Gales and Martinez Inc., AEG and The California Endowment. Supporters include Chapman Insurance, Foy & Associates, Green Hasson & Janks, Isenberg and Associates , PCL Construction Services Inc., Polenzani Benefits and Insurance, Unisource Solutions, Inc., Walton Construction and Xerox.

Guests enjoyed a pre-event reception, a delicious three-course lunch, inspirational speakers, awards ceremony and live music performed by flamenco guitarist Roger Espinoza. Each guest received a gift bag full of goodies from OPI Nail Lacquer, Kim Kimble Salon and Extension Bar and more.

Proceeds raised from the event benefit YWCA GLA programs and services.

To see a full list of the 2013 Phenomenal Woman Awards honorees please visit our website at ywcagla.org.

Phenomenal Woman Awards continued from front page.

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greater los angeles

The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Become a member today and ADD YOUR voice to help change YOUR community and help empower lives! Scan the QR code or visit ywcagla.org/membership for more information.

The YWCA Greater Los Angeles:Safe space to live, learn and grow.

Officers:Eleanor Beasley

President

Lisa D. Cagnolatti Vice President

Alva P. Adams-Mason Secretary

Patricia Keane Treasurer

Elected Members:

Maria L. Garcia

Vivian D. Howell

Samantha W. Jones

Amanda J. Lee

YWCA Greater Los Angeles Board of Directors

Thank you to our Partners!

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1020 S. Olive Street, 7th FloorLos Angeles 90015

assistance with resumes. The goal is to offer this program as an ongoing effort stemming from business partnerships.

Another effort developed from the YWCA GLA’s partnership with JPMorgan Chase and occurred this spring. JPMorgan Chase facilitated the formation of the Chase Boyle Heights Workforce Group in 2012 which is comprised of various community-based groups focusing on addressing the dire unemployment rate in the Boyle Heights community. This group hosted a successful job fair in March, coordinated by the YWCA GLA, which attracted over 200 job seekers and multiple employers including JPMorgan Chase, WalMart, Starbucks, T.J.Maxx, Coca-Cola, Goodwill, LA’s Best and Home Depot. As another layer of impact, students from the College Track at Roosevelt High School volunteered at the event. To prepare these high school students, the YWCA GLA hosted a career boot camp before the job fair giving each student valuable information on job seeking based on the curriculum “LA Youth at Work”. Several individuals were hired out of this job fair.

The YWCA GLA is also developing the workforce through our over three year involvement in the TSE (Temporary Subsidized Employment) program. In 2012, the Southbay Workforce Investment Board honored the YWCA’s TSE program with the Alumni Organization Award in recognition of the YWCA GLA’s stellar performance with this effort. This program helps individuals overcome barriers to attaining work by offering real work experience as well as classes and training in areas such as financial empowerment, leadership skills, public speaking, healthy eating and workplace etiquette.

Workforce Development continued from Page 2.