DID YOU KNOW....

62% of the families served by the YWCA earned less than $26,000 in 2005.

For Immediate Release

September 25, 2005                                                   For Information Contact:
                                                                                   Leanne Fisher, 303.443.0419

YWCA Hosts a Grand Re-Opening Event Celebrating its Expansion Project

and Unveils New Logo

(Boulder, Colo.)—The YWCA of Boulder County is hosting a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on September 23, 2005 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 2222 14^th Street in Boulder. The event will feature guest speaker US Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue.

The event will include building tours, musical entertainment and food and refreshments from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The program portion of the event including the acknowledgement of key donors, guest speaker and ribbon cutting will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The celebration marks the completion of the YWCA’s year-long construction project involving the addition of a second story and an Infant Development Center. The expansion project enables the YWCA to increase its capacity for programs including doubling the number of children served in its Children’s Alley childcare program, Boulder’s only emergency, drop-in childcare center.

The remodeled YWCA features a boardroom, three classrooms, a drop-in career resource center with computer access, a dedicated classroom for its EDGE:  Girls Empowerment Program and a computer lab with computers donated by Teaming for Technology Colorado.  In addition, the YWCA is providing office space at no charge to two local nonprofit agencies in which it collaborates, the Boulder County Latina Women’s League and Reading to End Racism.

The YWCA embarked on a capital campaign in 2000 in support of the $2.3 million renovation project and the organization continues to raise funds for the final phase of the campaign.

“Thanks to our many generous capital campaign donors, the YWCA brings a significantly enhanced facility to address vital needs in our community,” said YWCA of Boulder County Executive Director Janet L. Beardsley. “We hope that we can continue to count on community support to help us finalize our campaign that allows us to better serve women, children and their families.”

Donohue will serve as the guest speaker. He is related to a former staff member of the YWCA and his family is a supporter of the Infant Development Center renovation.

“The YWCA’s expansion project is a reflection of the power of public and private partnerships that can bring beneficial services to individuals and families,” said Beardsley. “Mr. Donohue was invited based on his local ties with YWCA staff and supporters as well as his representation of the corporate community.”

Along with a larger and improved facility, the YWCA of Boulder County is also launching a new logo that was developed by the YWCA of the USA. The logo that reads “Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women, YWCA” was chosen by the YWCA of the USA based on the organization’s a long history in working to eliminate racism. From conducting the nation’s first interracial conference in 1915 to requiring that organizations accept members without segregation or discrimination, YWCAs across the country have long worked to achieve racial equality and justice.

“Most people are familiar with the YWCA’s mission of helping women to realize their full potential, but not everyone is aware of the YWCA’s historic commitment to eliminate racism,” said Beardsley. “The logo may offer a new look, but our mission remains the same.”

The YWCA of Boulder County will continue to incorporate the new brand over the coming months.

Caplan and Earnest LLC is the presenting sponsor for the Grand Re-Opening Celebration and Heritage Bank is the entertainment sponsor. The US Chamber of Commerce is the program sponsor. Food is provided by Laudisio’s Ristorante and La Hacienda Restaurant. The Boulder Chamber of Commerce and the US Chamber of Commerce are hosting a private reception for YWCA special guests that evening. For more information please call (303) 443-0419 or visit www.ywcaboulder.org.

The YWCA stands for You, Women, Children, All of us.  Founded in 1922, the YWCA of Boulder County provides services for area families that protect children, empower women and girls, and work to eliminate racism.  In addition to offering the only emergency, drop-in childcare in Boulder County, the organization also provides women’s programs that build self-esteem and develop the skills necessary to stay economically self-sufficient.

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