Onward and Upwards: A Volunteer Success Story

I love volunteering. I don’t have very many hobbies, but if I had to state one it would be volunteering. When I first came to Missoula as a freshmen at the University of Montana, I was a little lost. Not only was I lost because of the confusing Missoula roads, but also with my own self-purpose. Somewhere near the end of freshmen year an acquaintance recruited me to volunteer for an afternoon at Habitat for Humanity. 

Something that afternoon clicked. I loved it, I was happy, and I was hooked. 

However, I knew Habitat for Humanity wasn't exactly for me, and so began a year-long journey of “testing out” many different organizations. Then, as if it were fate, my schedule allowed me to attend advocate training at YWCA Missoula. As they say, the rest is history. 

By the end of July, I will have served two AmeriCorps terms at the YWCA. The first term focused on providing direct services to women fleeing domestic and sexual violence situations by filling response, FirstStep (sexual assault response) and shelter check-in shifts. I am currently serving the second term as the assistant volunteer coordinator for Pathways, and I have been working side by side with the volunteer coordinator over the last six months. I am very thankful for my experiences at the YWCA because I have learned so much here during the last two years. However, it is now time to move forward.

This spring, I completed my bachelor’s degree in sociology at UM. Along with my degree, I graduated with a nonprofit administration minor and became a nationally Certified Nonprofit Professional. Because of the above accomplishments and experience, I was accepted into Indiana University Bloomington's School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) to pursue a master's degree in Public Affairs with a focus on Nonprofit Management. According to U.S. News & World Report's Best Graduate Schools, SPEA is ranked as the second best Public Affairs graduate program in the nation, with the nonprofit management program ranking first of its kind. Over 600 individuals applied to attend the program and only 125 were selected this year, which explains why I shed tears of joy when I found out I received my acceptance letter. The icing on this spectacular cake is that I have also been awarded a pretty fantastic fellowship that continues to allow me to work within a nonprofit setting while I attend school.

YWCA AmeriCorps Volunteer Emily graduated from the University of Montana this spring with a degree in sociology. 

I am positive that my acceptance into SPEA was heavily influenced by the time I spent at the YWCA. I am very thankful to the YWCA because they gave me the chance, and often times the freedom, to combine what I love doing with amazing learning opportunities. These opportunities allowed me to get to know some of the most amazing and capable women and men in Missoula. Even though I am leaving, I am taking with me many fond memories and the inspiration to continue to help others.

Thank you, YWCA Missoula! 

Posted by Emily, YWCA AmeriCorps Volunteer

GUTS! Girls Take Missoula By Bike!

I met Jamie* one afternoon in the lobby of the YWCA. She was waiting with her mom and younger sister to talk with a women's advocate in our walk-in counseling room. I immediately noticed her big personality while I was making copies nearby. We had a few spots open for the following week’s GUTS! bike camp, and I thought Jamie looked like she was nine or 10 years old. (Having worked with girls for the past five years, I’ve gotten really good at guessing ages.) 

In the summertime, GUTS! leads overnight outdoor trips for girls ages 11 and up and a day camp for girls ages 9 to 11. This year was our first-ever bike day camp. We partnered with eight community organizations and incorporated service projects and fun adventures. The best part? The girls biked everywhere ALL week!

I approached Jamie and her mom that day in the office with information about GUTS!, and they were immediately interested, especially after I explained that we have scholarships available. While her mom and little sister spoke with an advocate, I sat down with Jamie to interview her for camp. I learned that Jamie had just learned how to ride her bike. 

“I’m practicing every day and getting really good,” Jamie said confidently. 

“What are some of the strengths you will bring to camp?” I asked her. 

“I have [Justin] Bieber Fever,” she responded in a shy but excited tone.

The following Monday morning, Jamie showed up at Free Cycles with the other nine girls. She brought her small BMX bike, a softball helmet and her Justin Bieber backpack. After tuning up our bikes and fitting helmets, we were off to our next adventure - a bike rodeo led by City of Missoula bike ambassadors. Jamie pulled me aside and told me that she didn’t want to ride her bike. 

“I’m not good enough yet to ride with the group,” she said. “I think I should just walk.” 

I quickly paired Jamie up with one of our amazing women leaders who ensured her safe arrival to McCormick Park at Jamie’s pace. The first two days Jamie biked a few stretches but mostly walked with one of our leaders behind the rest of the group. Leaders Lily and Kaya took turns coaching Jamie, providing encouragement, and even offering a positive affirmation for her to repeat to herself.

GUTS! leaders intentionally scheduled the first two days to be short-distance biking for this very reason. The leader team discussed our options if Jamie continued to have to walk each day. We ultimately knew that Jamie could do this; it was just a matter of her knowing that she could do it. Each time she rolled into our next destination, the group cheered her on with applause and high fives!

Much to our surprise, by day three Jamie was hesitant but willing to try riding with the group. With the encouragement from other girls and GUTS! leaders, she made it through the day without walking at all. By the end of that day she was proudly sharing her success: 

“Roe! I rode 17 times without any help!”

Each day continued as such and by the end of the week, Jamie was confidently riding alongside the rest of the group with the biggest smile on her face. In just one week, Jamie transformed before our eyes! This transformation was more psychological than anything else. Thanks to our supportive staff and the positive reinforcement of her peers, Jamie’s belief in herself and her body enabled her to do what she wanted to do: bike.

At GUTS!, we truly believe that investing in girls like Jamie will give them the confidence they need to change our world. 

Posted by Roe, GUTS! program manager

*Name changed to protect confidentiality. 

Check out these photos of our first-ever GUTS! bike camp!

YWCA Offers Classes to Enrich the Community

Many community members may not realize that the YWCA offers monthly Community Enrichment Classes. In the past, participants have enjoyed  learning how to cook on a budget, manage their time, get the most out coupons, polish their resumes, learn about estate planning and work on journaling. Classes are held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and are open to everyone in the community.  Free childcare is provided if you sign up ahead of time!

The YWCA also partners with HomeWORD to provide budget and credit workshops.  HomeWORD teaches quarterly classes on budgeting and savings and credit lending.  During the budgeting and savings class, participants learn how to develop a budget and what their financial goals are. The credit lending workshop teaches how to pull credit reports, what credit scores mean, and what creditors look for from loan applicants. 

This month’s class is slated for Monday, July 15, 6 to 7:30 p.m. and focuses on Compassionate Communication. Patrick Marsolek, a clinical hypnotherapist, will teach participants simple, yet effective tools to connect with others while expressing yourself more clearly. The class will develop tools that bring empathy, honesty, and integrity into all communication. 

Please sign up by Wednesday, July 10 if you would like childcare.

Join the Facebook event!

The YWCA is always looking for topic ideas and teachers willing to teach classes! If you have a skill to share, please contact Lisa Bruce at 543-6691 or lbruce@ywcaofmissoula.org. 

Posted by Lisa Bruce, YWCA Emergency Housing Case Manager

The Race Card Project Prompts Reflection Among YW Staffers

What’s your race card? That’s the question YWCA staff looked at during an activity at a recent staff meeting. The activity was based on The Race Card Project, by radio journalist Michele Norris. The idea is to write one sentence - six words - which summarize your experience or understanding of race.

There was a moment of silence among the staff after we distributed the note cards and explained the activity - a very long moment of silence. Staring at our cards, I think we all had a collective brain jam. Talking about race is difficult enough, but distilling it into a six-word sentence is even harder.

After everyone had written down their sentences, we went around and shared what we had written. Some were tentative, others enthusiastic, but we all had something to say.

For me, the takeaway from the activity was this: black, native, white, or rainbow, we all have experienced something to do with race or racial identity, but we don’t often take the time to process those experiences. How has race affected us? What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says the word “race?

The activity was a great way to take a second and think about what race means to us and what window we might be looking through in discussions of race and racism. Take a second to look at what some of our staff wrote on their cards as well as the Race Card Project website.

Posted by Juliana Rose, YWCA Missoula Racial Justice Intern

           

Media Perpetuates "Angry Black Woman" Stereotype in First Lady Incident

First ladies have always occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of Americans. The mental image of a first lady for most Americans is probably a mash up between Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan. This mental image and many other stereotypes were shaken to their core with the arrival of Michelle Obama. 

                

As the first black family America has ever had in the White House, the Obama's receive more scrutiny than many of their predecessors. Many of the Obama family’s actions are questioned not only as the acts of the family in the most important house in the nation, but also as those of a black family.

Most recently, Michelle Obama came under scrutiny after responding directly to a heckler sent by an LGBT group during a private DNC fundraiser. The heckler, Ellen Sturtz, was “taken aback” when the first lady essentially told her to pipe down or she would leave. Sturtz later told the media she was surprised at how “aggressive” Obama had been.

Let’s take a look at that for a moment. Sturtz thought Obama was being aggressive? Did Sturtz not just interrupt Obama in the middle of a speech just to yell at her? Obama, in responding to someone else yelling at her, is being categorized as the confrontational party. Furthermore, in many of the articles written about the incident, Obama is described as "confronting" a heckler, and the stereotype of the “angry black woman” has been mentioned a few times. And let’s not forget conservative TV and radio host Glenn Beck’s description of the First Lady as a “monster." 

Why is Obama being categorized as the aggressor in this situation?

If one of Obama’s white predecessors had spoken to a Sturtz in the same manner - directly and firmly - would the predecessor have been viewed as angry or aggressive? Obama stood up for herself when someone initiated aggressive behavior, and as a black woman, she is being portrayed as angry for doing anything other than idly taking the disrespect. Is that fair? No, it most certainly is not.

The language used in media reports about this incident is another confirmation that subtle yet pervasive prejudice still exists in our society. We need to take a look at how we’re talking about this incident. What roles are we casting on the players and why? Using language that plays into stereotypes and encourages white privilege is unacceptable. If women like Obama are consistently cast as the “angry black woman,” every time they stand up for themselves, are we taking them seriously? Casting Obama as the controversial figure in this incident is demeaning and dismissive. Obama isn’t the one who created a scene, yet she is being portrayed as such.  In describing her behavior as confrontational and dramatic, it’s easier to dismiss what she’s saying.

We’ve never had a black first lady before, but that doesn’t mean that every unexpected move she makes is a result of her skin color. Maybe it’s time we stopped analyzing Obama’s actions as those of a black woman before her role as the first lady. Her behavior isn’t directed by the color of her skin and questioning whether her white predecessors would have made the same decisions is only perpetuating a culture where racism is acceptable. 

Posted by Juliana Rose, YWCA Missoula Racial Justice Intern

YWCA Staff Visit Montana State Prison

On a brisk Friday morning, myself and three other Pathways team members were locked behind bars in the ‘C’ block of the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. Don’t worry, YWCA blog followers, no one at the YWCA has committed a felony and will be serving hard time in the slammer. 

Starting in July, our crisis line will accept calls from inmates across the state who have experienced sexual assault while incarcerated. We were touring the state prison to get a sense of a prisoner's daily life to better understand barriers inmates may face while making calls to our crisis line. It was an incredibly eye-opening experience to see the ways in which activities that I have complete autonomy over “on the outside,”such as accessing a phone or taking a shower, are restricted to a certain time of the day or permission from a corrections officer. Some prisoners could only make phone calls in the large common area of their block, within earshot of hundreds of other inmates and corrections officers. This could prove especially problematic for prisoners who want to reach out for support on our crisis line after being sexually assaulted by other inmates or officers within their block. 

After touring both the high and low security portions of the prison, all four of us had a lot to discuss. But our final stop on the tour, the intake building, gave us more than enough to talk about on the hour and a half drive back to Missoula. After much insistence on our part, our tour guides finally let us meet a man who has been in the news a lot recently: Barry Beach. Speaking with an inmate really hammered home that regardless of what a person has done or has been convicted of - whether driving drunk or committing murder - no one deserves to be raped, inside or outside of prison. 

Posted by Hattie, YWCA Missoula Pathways VISTA

YWCA Missoula Staff Inspired at YWCA USA Annual Conference in DC

The YWCA USA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., encompassed four days of women speakers, presenters and voices. Whether participating in one-on-one networking opportunities or listening to the inspiring speakers, the message was strong and clear: women of the YWCA speak with conviction. Women are daring and dreaming and achieving on such an impressive scale. 

I was moved to tears by Ayanna Pressley’s address on “What Women Want: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Violence.” Pressley is a member of the Boston City Council At-Large and is the first woman of color ever elected to the Council. She spoke fervently about how broken girls become broken women, and then the cycle repeats. She encouraged the 400 attendees to embody the word “entitlement,” because “It means I’m strong enough to know what I deserve,” and talked about daring to be herself. I witnessed stories of survival, hope and progress. After her daughter was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Sharon Love started the One Love Foundation to end relationship violence. Commander Zoe Dunning made history fighting for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,”  which excluded gay people from serving openly in armed forces. And Eva Longoria, whose philanthropy and advocacy in the field of racial justice is truly commendable.

Erin and YWCA Missoula Housing Director Patty Murphy with Dara Richardson-Heron, CEO of YWCA USA

I learned the power of my own voice while lobbying on Capitol Hill. Along with three other Montana women leaders, I met with our state representatives and senators to present and discuss issues relevant to Montana women and girls. We were known and respected for the work we do and were able to engage in meaningful conversations with these key players. We were given a mission: empower citizens on how Comprehensive Immigration Reform is a necessary step for this nation, for the 11 million aspiring Americans, for our economy, for each and every human being's right to freedom and dignity. We stepped away from the conversation with real tools and action steps to enlighten our communities on this bill.

YWCA staff from Missoula, Great Falls and Helena met and discussed issues relevant to Montana women and children with Rep. Steven Daines and staff from Sen. Jon Tester and Max Baucus while in Washington, D.C.

One thing is very clear to me: the YWCA is a sisterhood. I made contact with so many brilliant women, for example, a 35-year-old woman who was recently hired as CEO of her local YWCA. There are so many incredible programs. The YWCABerkeley/Oakland's youth leadership model is particularly notable to me, and so many young women are finding themselves and their passions through the work of YWCAs across the nation and the world. I connected with young women with whom I have been conversing solely via phone calls on the YWCA USA Young Women's Task Force. I left DC with exciting ideas for the program I work for (GUTS!) and with real connections and relationships with women across the country.

Erin and YWCA Missoula Housing Director Patty Murphy at the YWCA USA Women of Distinction Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.

I returned to YWCA Missoula with a renewed sense of commitment to and passion for this organization. There is so much room for my personal and professional growth and so many accomplished women to follow and seek for mentorship and inspiration. My impact on the YWCA and the YWCA’s impact on me have just begun, and I am so excited to move forward.

Posted by Erin Barstow, YWCA Missoula GUTS! Program Coordinator