Programs
Karate Classes begin in April!
Art Classes with Lynda Leonas Returns April 2nd !
Stand Against Racism
Bates College Senior Alyse Bigger, YWCA Executive Director Kathy Durgin-Leighton, Keynote Speaker Sarah Davis, Keynote Speaker Dr. Joyce Gibson
On Saturday, April 28, 2012 the YWCA of Central Maine located at 130 East Avenue in Lewiston, joined over 200 YWCA’s nationwide in taking a “Stand Against Racism”. “Stand Against Racism” is a movement of the YWCA that aims to eliminate racism by raising awareness through this annual event. Alyse Bigger, Bates College senior, organized the event at the YWCA which began at 10 am. A light breakfast was offered followed by two keynote speakers, Sarah Davis a Bates College alumna and Dr. Joyce Gibson, Dean of USM – L/A campus. Following the addresses at 11 am, participants walked a two mile route from the YWCA to Bates Street and back. Afterward, approximately 75 people took a “stand” in front of the YWCA for 30 minutes as drivers honked their horns in a show of support.
The event was free and opened to the public and sponsored by the YWCA of Central Maine, Bates College Women of Color, and the Harward Center at Bates College.
The YWCAs in America and around the world have a rich history of advocating for racial justice and today is no exception. The YWCA’s One Imperative adopted by the National YWCA movement in 1970 commands us: To thrust our collective power toward the elimination of racism, wherever it exists and by any means necessary. It is the One Imperative that guides our process to eliminate injustices in employment, education, healthcare, housing, human services and other areas that affect the quality of an individual’s
Throughout our history, the YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations, labor union representation, and the empowerment of women. On Saturday, we not only intend to raise awareness of the issues of racism, we intend to affect real change in the lives of our family, friends and co-workers through a process that identifies and eradicates the barriers that divide us and that perpetuate racism and other forms of oppression. As individuals learn what has kept us apart, they will develop new ways of working cooperatively by creating new models of shared resources and perspectives. Our goal is not to pave the way for the future. It is to create the future – a better future for all.
Watch out for next year’s event scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2013!
Martin Luther King Day
On January 16, 2011, the YWCA was the site of a service project in recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Over 50 youth from the Lewiston Housing Authority and the Tree Street Youth program came to the YWCA to paint beautiful murals on its walls and ceiling tiles to depict community, tolerance and diversity. Afterward, the YWCA treated the youth to a pool party featuring its large inflatable float. Recognizing the important work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by hosting a day of service will be an annual event each year at the YWCA!
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