YWCA Celebrates Diversity at Women for Racial Justice Breakfast and Week Without Violence

The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley wrapped up another successful year of Week Without Violence events in and around Pasadena. This is the 18th year the organization has participated in the campaign, which was launched as a grassroots movement in 1995 and has since spread to all 50 states and more than 30 countries. The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley hosted and assisted with events every day of this nationally recognized week, October 15th – October 19th. October has been proclaimed by Mayor Bogaard and the Pasadena City Council as Bullying Prevention Awareness Month in the City of Pasadena.

“The Women for Racial Justice Breakfast brought the city together to promote racial justice. It was a great start to a very successful week of events. We were delighted to have the Mayor and other city officials in attendance. The turnout was proof that people want change and we here at the YWCA are doing what we can do to make sure change happens,” says Tamika Farr, YWCA Executive Director.

During this year’s Week Without Violence, the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley focused its attention on practical, sustainable non-violent alternatives each day: Monday-Women for Racial Justice Breakfast honoring Dolores Huerta, President of Dolores Huerta Foundation and Co-Founder of United Farm Workers, at the Pasadena Hilton and three workshops at the Institute for Girls Development hosted by IFGD and Peace Over Violence; Tuesday-Wells Fargo Financial Literacy Workshop for Domestic Violence Survivors hosted by TV Land actress Niecy Nash at the YWCA; Wednesday-Campus Takeover Anti-Violence Pep Rally at Washington Middle School; Thursday-International Conflict Resolution Day at Western Justice Center; Friday-Youth Want Comedy Also Expo at the YWCA and an Anti-Bullying discussion panel at La Pintoresca Park.

“We were delighted that so many community partners got on board to make sure this week was successful. We are so thankful for the relationships that we have with other organizations as we could not have done this without their help,” says Karen Draine, Program Manager.

The YWCA would like to give special thanks to its committed Week Without Violence partners and sponsors: 300 Pasadena, A&E Nights, AT&T U-Verse, All Saints Church, The Anderson Group, Avery Dennison, Buca Di Beppo, City Manager’s Office, City of Pasadena, Commission on the Status of Women, Dr. Dara DDS, Dignity Health, DRLtoons.com, Fifth & Pacific, Flintridge Center, Institute for Girls Development, Jarritos, Miss Jessie’s, Kaiser Permanente, Office of Senator Carol Liu, Modify Watches, Pacific Oaks College, City of Pasadena Parks and Recreation, PUSD LEARNs, Pasadena Federal Credit Union, Rachel Roy Designs, Pasadena Community Television Network, Pasadena Police Department, Peace Over Violence, Sketchers, Ten Thousand Villages, Tunnel Vision Inc., US Bank, ViSalus’ BBV 90 Day Challenge, Washington Middle School, Wells Fargo and Western Justice Center.

For more information, please contact the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley at (626) 296-8433. You can email the Program Manager, Karen Draine, kdraine@ywca-pasadena.org for information about yearly programs.

About the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley

The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley has been serving Pasadena and its surrounding areas since 1905. Established as an advocacy unit for young women who migrated to Pasadena for various socio-economic reasons, the YWCA has since been a pioneering voice in the fight for racial justice and women’s empowerment. You can now make a donation to the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley quickly, easily and at your convenience. Simply text ‘YWCAPFV’ to 20222 to make a one-time $10 donation to support our fight for women’s empowerment. More information can be found on the organizations website at www.ywca-pasadena.org.