Economic Empowerment
Celebrating the Legacy of Veronica Sanders at the YWCA
After an incredible 17 years of dedicated service, Veronica Sanders is retiring from the YWCA, where she has held numerous roles, each leaving a lasting impact on the community. Throughout her career, Veronica has been a champion for empowerment, education, and justice. She began as the Parenting Program Manager, where she supported countless families in strengthening their parenting skills. Later, as the Financial Capacity Builder Manager, Veronica played a crucial role in promoting financial literacy and stability within the community.
Her contributions extended into youth development as the After-School Challenge Program Manager and Teen Volunteer Program Manager, shaping the lives of young people through mentorship and engagement. In addition, she served as the Child Care Interim Director, ensuring that children received quality care in a nurturing environment.
Veronica also took on leadership roles in health initiatives, serving as the EncorePlus Coordinator and later stepping in as the Interim Health Program Director, where she advocated for women’s health and wellness. As a SEED Instructor and Facilitator, she empowered participants through economic development education, and as the Economic Empowerment Director, her most recent role, she guided individuals and families on the path to financial independence.
Her commitment to racial and social justice was unwavering, as reflected in her position as the Racial Justice Committee Chair and she also served on the YWCA Regional Appointment Committee.
Veronica’s legacy at the YWCA is one of compassion, leadership, and tireless advocacy for those most in need. Her work has touched countless lives, and her presence will be deeply missed. We are grateful for her many years of serving the community.
Newcomers Resource Fair
On September 21, we hosted our annual Newcomers Resource Fair at a new location, the San Antonio Food Bank, featuring over 70 community partners, providing a wide range of services, from health screenings to immigration attorney consultations, serving nearly 700 community members. The event also included a successful town hall led by the Racial Justice and Gender Equity Department, offering crucial insights to our diverse audience. A heartfelt thanks to panelists: Consul Ruben Minutti, Councilwoman Cabello Havrda, Rogerio Ruiz, Katie Ferrier, Nadia Mavrakis and Mayra Montero, for sharing their stories, insights and encouraging words. We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr. Arlene Mora for sharing her own immigration story, as well as her insight and wisdom.
In 2014, we set three goals: to provide quality community resources, deliver useful workplace and community information and foster partnerships in diversity and social justice. Thanks to our teamwork and community partners coming together, we’ve reached these goals for 10 consecutive years, all while honoring YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Thank you to everyone’s hard work and commitment to making this possible!
Racial Justice
Child Care
More Exciting News
Angelica Cervantes Selected to Change Collective Leadership Development Program
Angelica Cervantes, COO of the Women's Live and Learn Center was selected to the Change Collective 2024 Fall Cohort of changemakers. Created to connect, elevate, and train local leaders across the country, the Change Collective is gradually expanding its reach in cities all over the nation and with this action incorporates San Antonio and Memphis.
This year’s Cohort are a diverse and dynamic group of rising leaders all dedicated to making an impact in their communities. Angelica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a BS from Baylor and MSW from UTSA.
The Change Collective’s vision is to reinvent civic life for the 21st century by investing in and supporting the next generation of emerging leaders like Angelica who are bridging divides and driving change in their communities. Members of the Change Collective will have access to training opportunities, leadership development and a wide network of mentors.
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Health Equity
Community Health Worker Internship Program
The Health Equity department’s Community Health Worker (CHW) internship is thriving with engaged students. In this internship, they gain essential knowledge through coursework and hands-on training to best prepare them for a CHW role in the community. Here are stories from two of our current interns:
Fanny Fund Announcement:
Upcoming Mammogram Events:
We offer free mammograms for patients! To make an appointment, you must:
Be at least 40 years old
Have no symptoms of: lumps, changes in skin color, breast pain, or nipple discharge
Have not had a mammogram in at least one year
Must not be pregnant
Have a referral from a doctor
The mammogram bus will be at 503 Castroville Rd, San Antonio, TX 78237 from 9 am to 1 pm on these dates:
October 21, 2024
November 1, 2024
November 25, 2024
November 26, 2024
December 6, 2024
December 13, 2024
To schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Arlene Mora at 210-433-9922 Ext 212, 361-277-9717, or amora@ywcasa.org
For more information, visit our website or contact our Health Equity team at (210) 433-9922 or healthandwellness@ywcasa.org
Jillian Lesikar, CHW Intern:
Taking this internship in the last semester of receiving my bachelor’s has provided me with invaluable insight into community health. With a goal of entering the medical field, I have been excited to learn more about public health and services available to underinsured populations. I am inspired to bring the skills and knowledge I have gained from this internship into my future career. I have enjoyed being on the frontlines and development side of helping others learn about and receive the medical care, prevention, and management that they need.
In partnership with Planned Parenthood South Texas, the YWCA San Antonio is now offering Fanny Fund vouchers! These vouchers can be used to cover all services, including birth control, STD testing, pregnancy tests, clinical breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, UTI treatment, and more. Once receiving a voucher from the YWCA, appointments are encouraged with Planned Parenthood. To make an appointment for one of these services, call (800) 230-PLAN(7526).
South Texas Family Planning Mobile Bus:
The South Texas Family Planning & Health Corporation now offers a 24-hour mobile unit! They offer free and low-cost services, such as, screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, thyroid, sore throat, sinus and respiratory, eye and ear infections, other common infections, and more. They also offer family planning, women’s health services, breast and cervical cancer, preventative health, and exams. To learn more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 361-855-7333 or 361-558-7686.
Emily Elias, CHW Intern:
In my internship with YWCA San Antonio, I have learned that community health workers (CHWs) are more than just providers of health care. We are the glue that holds the community together. We provide resources to keep everyone healthy, and we make sure the community is taken care of when it comes to vaccinations and childcare. We are passionate about our work because we care about the community.
Neurodivergent Training with Good Samaritan
The Racial Justice and Gender Equity Department in August had the opportunity to do a training session on Neurodiversity for the Good Samaritan Nonprofit organization. Participants engaged in a thorough exploration of Neurodiversity, discussing its significance and varying perceptions within different community of color. The training emphasized its impact on individuals receiving services and provided valuable insights into the experiences of Neurodiverse individuals in the workplace. Feedback from participants included comments like, “They did an excellent job, and I loved the interactive learning,” and “Thank you for the introducing me to the new definitions.” We are truly grateful for the opportunity to offer this training to the community.
For more information about the training programs we provide, please visit the link:
Managers, Crystal Ellis and Kayla Williams chaparoned a group of teens to Mustang Island on September 28th for a Beach Clean Up. Teens cleared the beach of litter in the morning, enjoyed some fun beach time and had Whataburger after a long day. This is one of the many volunteer opportunities offered through Teens Taking Action throughout the year.
Thank you YWCA teens for making a difference in the community!
Telenovela Project on Racial Justice
In collaboration with our marketing department, we are working on a telenovela project that addresses racial justice, gender equity, and wage equity. Filming is set for November, and we look forward to sharing this powerful story with our community soon. Looking for extras tgarza@ywcasa.org
Click to learn more about:
How To Support Neurodivergent People
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Looking to make a difference? Join our dedicated team of child development teachers and help YWCA's children grow and flourish.
YWCA Childhood Education is a recognized Texas Rising Star and serves children 6 weeks to 12 years of age.
Call (210) 433-9922 for more information or email: HR@ywcasa.org
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Workforce
The Ready To Work Program is a Workforce Program for individuals that want a career for life!
We provide job education followed by job placement to improve your quality of life. You will be guided by a professional case manager that will be by your side until you have achieved course completion and success in job placement.
We assist with Certifications, Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree. Our Workforce Program offers work readiness preparation, educational coaching, life skills, client-centered case management, workforce training and job placement opportunities.
Our professional case managers focus on strengthening engagement and resource navigation to help reduce barriers.
Highlights from the Ready To Work Job Placement
Congratulations to all our clients that have started their quality job after successfully completing their education course.
Our clients are now earning and celebrating their success as they enjoy their new job.
Just to name a few:
Blanca G. Aviles, hired by Wells Fargo as Associate Customer Success Representative with a starting pay of $20.00 an hour that includes a health and wellness benefit package. Blanca also qualified for the Spanish language differential of 5% for meeting the requirement of bilingual skills.
Alejandro Trevino, hire by Accenture as a Technology Associate with a starting pay of $25.96, eligible for overtime. Job has paid time off that encompasses Vacation time along with paid sick leave.
Christian Villavicencio hired by Oasys Inc as a Control Data Analyst earning $ 72, 000 annual salary that includes a benefit package: Employee Stock Ownership, 401k with employer matching, Medical and Dental, VSP, Flexible spending account Life Insurance Long Term Disability and paid time off.
Robert Son hired by Zantech as a Project Manager on the DACID Criminal Investigative Management Systems with a starting pay of $55.29 an hour. Zantech provided a sign-on bonus of $5000.00 and the position includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability plan, 401 (k) savings.
Jennifer Hacker hired by GlobalLogic Inc as a Lead for B 1 CE04 with a starting pay of $ 28.00 an hour. Benefit package includes paid time off, group health insurance, 401k, plus more.
Destiny Ortega hired by Christus Health as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the IMC MedSurgical Department, fulltime earning $15.00 an hour. Offering a benefit package that includes medical, dental life and disability
Carla Caldwell hired by Christus Health in the IMC Telemetry Department as a Certified Nursing Assistant with a starting pay of $15.00 an hour
Andres Villa-Claros hired at USAA as a Debt Collector with a starting pay of $22.oo an hour.
Jane Siten hired by ScionHealth as a Nursing Assistant PRN with a starting pay of $19.00 an hour.
Anali Lopez hired by CVS Health as a Pharmacy Technician with a starting pay of $16.00 an hour.
Marina Hernandez hired by the City of San Antonio with a starting pay rate of $ 19.50 an hour.
Lemonique Smith hired by C2 GPS as Customer Solutions Representative with a pay rate of $17.78 an hour.
Plus several more………….. Come by and visit us for additional information or call 210-956-6939 and be part of these employers.
For more information, contact: readytowork@ywcasa.org
Youth
Women of Influence
Mark your calendars for our annual Women of Influence Luncheon, scheduled for March 6, 2025. The event will be held at the Witte Museum from 11:00am - 1:00pm.
YWCA San Antonio is proud to announce its 2025 honorees:
Rachel Sakai - Civic and Community Leader
Jamie Kowalski - Vice President Corporate Relations of RK Group
For event details and sponsorship opportunities, contact Michelle at mserna@ywcasa.org
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Thank you for following our accomplishments and supporting our mission as we continue to eliminate racism and empower women.
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YWCA San Antonio is celebrating 115 years of
Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women.
You can help us achieve our goal to raise $115,000 by June 2025.
Your monthly gift of $15 will go a long way toward empowering women and their families in our community.
Donate HERE
Women's Live and Learn Center Receives $2.5 million towards Capital Campaign
YWCA San Antonio received $2.5 million in equity financing for its planned Early Childhood Education and Care facility of The Women's Live and Learn Center located at 2318 Castroville Road in the city’s westside.
Truist served as the equity investor for the project which will serve children of women who are between the ages of 18-25, at-risk of becoming homeless, perhaps fleeing domestic violence or aging out of foster care. Other funders include Harvey Najim, Mabee Foundation, and Kronkosky Charitable Foundation.
Women will reside in the YWCA’s new Women’s Live and Learn Center and will be enrolled in the comprehensive workforce development program in concert with Ready-to-Work, which will allow them to break the cycle of generational poverty.
Funds come through the federal New Markets Tax Credit program designed to spur investment and economic development in distressed neighborhoods. The federal tax credit helps to fill project financing gaps by enabling investors to make larger investments than would otherwise be possible.
The tax credit allocation was made by PeopleFund,the financial intermediary authorized by the US Dept of the Treasury through which investment capital flows from an investor to a qualified project.
YWCA San Antonio’s Early Childhood Development and Education Center at the Women’s Live and Learn Campus will serve 50 children, primarily those of 30 residents of WLLC’s supportive housing complex.
Emmy Nomination for "Why Can’t They Just…?
We are thrilled to announce that our documentary, *Why Can’t They Just…?*, has been nominated for an Emmy on the Lone Star Chapter! The documentary highlights the stories of women in our community and explores systemic barriers. We are honored to receive this recognition. Visit our microsite: whycanttheyjust.org.