26 Young Women’s Lives Are Forever Changed

HARTFORD, Conn., August 29, 2012 — YWCA Hartford Region’s Young Women’s Leadership Corps (YWLC) Summer Institute ended last week. A total of 26 young women, grades 7 – 12, from the greater Hartford area spent five weeks setting and achieving their educational and personal goals.

The young women gained confidence and self-esteem while participating in a variety of activities this summer including Nourish Yourself with Art workshops where they learned to express themselves visually and self-defense class where they developed techniques to defend themselves. In addition, the young women went on educational field trips to the Boston Science Museum, Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe centers and CT Historical Society.

“My favorite part about the YWLC is meeting all these people and making new friends. What I’m getting out of it is learning how to be professional and positive,” a program participant said.
This year, YWLC Summer Institute partnered with Aetna to offer classes focused on health and wellness. These classes included financial wellness workshops, fitness and nutrition classes and empowerment classes. Aetna also welcomed participants into its state-of-the-art recording studio to produce their own public service announcement to help encourage other young women to not let words define them.

Aetna donated Kindle Fires and CPR kits for each young woman who demonstrated positive participation and growth throughout the program. Timbuk2 donated tablet sleeves to protect the Kindle Fires.

Now in its 11th year, YWLC continues to let young women know that all things are possible, and has helped hundreds of young women build self-esteem, reach their goals and achieve their dreams of continuing their education.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who supported the success of the 2012 YWLC Summer Institute: Aetna employees, Joe Young Studios, Real Art Ways, Hartford Public Library, Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Hartford – Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Injury Prevention Center, Sensei Dan- Shaolin – Kempo Martial Arts, Julianna Crampton – Eneida’s Salonin and DreamGrlz.

Additional funders who support the YWLC program year round include: The Ensworth Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, Trustee; J. Walton Bissell Foundation, Inc.; The Fund for Greater Hartford; Travelers Foundation, the charitable arm of Travelers; Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; and United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

About
Established in 1867, YWCA Hartford Region is the third oldest affiliate of YWCA, a women’s membership movement dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA Hartford Region provides programs and services in the greater Hartford Region including child care, supportive housing, teen leadership development, racial justice awareness, financial literacy and economic empowerment. For more information, visit www.ywcahartford.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.