WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The YWCA is excited about a donation they received. It’s a property that will be will be used as transitional housing for women coming out of corrections and those in recovery.
The YWCA plans to build a brand-new 20-bed building to address their critical need for housing for their Women Inspired in New Directions Program that helps women rebuild their lives.
Executive Director of the YWCA Wheeling, Lori Jones says being able to expand their services is crucial in order to achieve their mission.
”In this building, we can house usually around 15, and then we have a transitional housing where they can live up to two years getting more support if they are trying to get their children back and things like that. We help them pay off their fines if they need it, budget, get their kids back if that’s what they want to do, help them find a job and then work their recovery.”Lori Jones – Executive Director, YWCA Wheeling
According to Jones, drawings for the new building are set to begin in January with hopes to break ground on the new property in the fall of next year.
WETZEL COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) – October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and YWCA Wheeling held a unique event to raise awareness.
Their first ever “Kickball for a Cause” game is taking place in Wetzel County.
Officials with YWCA Wheeling want to get the word out to people on all the info and services they have to have to help individuals suffering in a domestic violence situation. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic violence in their lives, so this information is critical.
It will feature Wetzel County Law Enforcement going up against first responders and local partner agencies.
“We thought of getting local law enforcement and services agencies together and bridging that gap, since we all service those victims.”Liz Handzus, Marketing and Development Director for YWCA Wheeling
“The YWCA will have tables at all of the engagements that we’re having during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we will have pamphlets and information and speaking to everyone about what we offer, and how to end domestic violence.”Jennifer Sorg – Family Violence Prevent Program Director
The event will be on Saturday, October 5th at 2:00pm at Bruce Park in New Martinsville, and is free to attend.
They will also be holding one in Ohio County on October 19th, featuring the Wheeling Police Department going head to head with the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office.
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The YWCA Wheeling hosted it’s 2nd annual Mega Bingo Fundraiser on Saturday at the River City Wheeling Artisan Center.
The event featured 14 games of bingo with a $1,000 payout for each game along with a special coverall game that had a payout of $3,000. All proceeds made at the event will go directly to supporting the YWCA Wheeling’s various services and projects.
The executive director of the YWCA Wheeling, Lori Jones, says the turnout they saw for the event on Saturday was heartwarming.
“We can’t do what we do if the community doesn’t show up to help us. We support about 7200 women, children and men each year through our programs and it takes a village. This is the village that showed up today and we’re just happy, happy, happy. Thank you, community. Thank you, Ohio Valley.”Lori Jones – Executive Director, YWCA Wheeling
The YWCA Wheeling will be hosting the event quarterly in partnership with Laughlin Memorial Chapel. The next Mega Bingo fundraiser will be at the same location on November 16 and all proceeds made at that event will go to supporting the Laughlin Memorial Chapel.
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — Saturday night the JB Chambers Park saw a glow that outshined even the bleakest personal darkness.
The YWCA Wheeling brought together women in their non-treatment WIND program, their families and community resources to show what recovery looks like.
Tie-dye, face painting and glow-in-the-dark slime were all seen as kids and parents threw footballs with police officers.
The Family Fun and Glow Run started in Charleston but moved statewide for the Recovery Month of September.
“We get out here and we glow and we have a few speakers and we get as many organizations as we can to participate so that we have rounded care all in one place with a little bit of fun.”Shannalee Kuri, YWCA WIND Program Director
Narcan was also distributed to those who took part, including community members to break through the stigma.
Speakers also shared their recovery stories to help others along their path.
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) – Fentanyl is one of the deadliest substances on the market. It is nearly 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
A local EMT spoke to 7News about the dangers of this drug, and one local woman, Clarissa Adkins, shared her experiences with fentanyl and her loss.
“So, I used fentanyl for the first time about two years ago. And from the first time that I tried it, everything just went downhill from there. That’s the only thing that I wanted. It took everything from me, or I gave up everything for it.” Clarissa Adkins | Wheeling Resident
Clarissa Adkins | In Active Recovery from Fentanyl Substance Abuse
Adkins shared deeply personal details about her life with the hopes of raising awareness of the growing opioid crisis.
“I lost my older brother due to a fentanyl overdose, and it just completely consumed me.” Clarissa Adkins | Wheeling Resident
Fentanyl is a prescription opioid often used in medical settings for pain control.
Ohio County EMS Paramedic Anthony McDaniel explains:
“It works very similar to morphine only it doesn’t have as much of an effect on the patient’s blood pressure and tends to treat their pain better than morphine.” Anthony McDaniel | Paramedic, Ohio County EMS
Prescription fentanyl is a tightly controlled substance that is given to patients in micrograms based on their weight.
“I lost my older brother due to a fentanyl overdose, and it just completely consumed me.” Clarissa Adkins | Wheeling Resident
Fentanyl is a prescription opioid often used in medical settings for pain control.
Ohio County EMS Paramedic Anthony McDaniel explains:
“It works very similar to morphine only it doesn’t have as much of an effect on the patient’s blood pressure and tends to treat their pain better than morphine.” Anthony McDaniel | Paramedic, Ohio County EMS
Prescription fentanyl is a tightly controlled substance that is given to patients in micrograms based on their weight.
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — YWCA Wheeling, Youth Services System, and several other organizations joined forces to host the Overdose Awareness Day event.
Guest speakers shared their stories as photos of lost loved ones were showcased throughout the event. Information booths provided resources for those struggling with addiction.
YSS Recovery Homes peer Kenny Jarrell says he is grateful to be able to share his experiences with others and help them on the road to recovery.
“It’s a beautiful experience for everybody in the community to come together and do this. Our area, we have a real epidemic going on and it’s hard. So, we’re here, all we can do is spread the word and give our story of how we recover to help the next one out.”KENNY JARRELL, YOUTH SERVICES SYSTEM RECOVERY HOMES PEER
“That’s the most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. There’s a whole community of people who are willing and able to help.”NICK COCHRAN, DIRECTOR OF YOUTH SERVICES SYSTEM RECOVERY HOMES
YSS Recovery Homes director Nick Cochran says one of the best ways to help someone battling addiction is to support them and be there for them during their fight.
YWCA Wheeling, Youth Services System and the Ohio County IMPACT Coalition are joining forces to promote overdose awareness and share local addiction recovery resources at the third annual Discover Recovery event.
Discover Recovery will include a presentation and a resource fair held at the West Virginia Northern Community College courtyard from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Food will be available for attendees.
Community members who have lost loved ones over the last year to addiction will share their stories during Saturday’s event as part of the 2024 Voices of Hope interactive presentation held in conjunction with Discover Recovery to promote overdose awareness.
In addition to the presentation, a resource fair will bring local service organizations together to connect family and friends of those experiencing substance misuse to the appropriate resources.
YWCA WIND Program Director Shannalee Kuri detailed the organization’s involvement in the event was reaching out to community members who had lost loved ones to addiction to share their stories and pictures to “shed hope and light on overdose and break through the stigma.”
“Often, the family may not be ready to share, so we have speakers share their stories, and pictures will be displayed on the projector,” Kuri said. “Together, we can remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the family and friends left behind. It’s important to know that overdose can and must be prevented, and only a community-wide effort can end overdose.”
As community members collaborate to share the stories of loved ones who succumbed to their substance addiction, Kuri noted community organizations would also be collaborating to share their resources with individuals struggling with addiction.
“We’ve had organizations from different counties reach out to participate in the event, so we see many individuals come through to get resources,” Kuri said. “We also have a lot of conversations with attendees about why they are seeking out these resources. The event has made it easier to get people talking about addiction and how to combat it.”
In addition to the YWCA coordinating speakers for the event, the YSS has stepped up to organize the resource fair for families, friends and individuals struggling with substance use disorder.
Lauren Kotz, YSS Region One State Opioid Response Program Administrator, worked closely with the Ohio County IMPACT Coalition to coordinate community efforts to create the resource fair. The Ohio County IMPACT Coalition is made up of members from the community to mitigate substance use disorder within the community, particularly among the youth in the community.
Service organizations at the fair will include Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as treatment services and other local support services such as the Family Resource Network and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Wheeling.
Kotz noted that YSS will also be at the fair to connect individuals and families to peer-supportive services and program services that help combat substance misuse.
“The resource fair helps families understand that help is there,” Kotz noted. “We get families unaware of the resources available because connecting families to resources goes much further than treatment.”
Kotz added the difference maker in addiction recovery comes after treatment as a “continuum of care” is needed to provide a support system for those recovering from addiction after they have finished treatment.
The “continuum of care” includes someone who returns from recovery having access to support services, medication-assisted treatment and other basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter.
“Discover Recovery brings a light to the importance of having a continuum of care,” Kotz said. “People become aware there is help and are supported in this community.”
Just as community members will support each other through sharing loved ones’ addiction stories, Kotz noted it was necessary to connect those still in addiction to a greater community of care.
“In a nutshell, the opposite of addiction is connection, so when we’re connecting with people and giving them a support system, it makes them less likely to slip back into substance use disorder,” Kotz said. “It makes the families feel supported and have options and support navigating this difficult time they may be experiencing.”
In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside WVNCC. The resource fair will be held immediately after the building’s entrance, and the presentation will be held inside the auditorium.
Wheeling, W.Va. (WTRF) – The YWCA Wheeling held a massive three-day estate clothing sale, in August at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Thousands of high quality items range in price from $1 to $5 to $30. Every item is in pristine condition.
These are upscale pieces that date from the 1960s to the present day. There are dresses, pantsuits, sweaters, shoes, handbags, hats and scarves.
They say this is definitely not your ordinary rummage sale.
“We curated these pieces from two separate estates that donated their clothing to the Y. There’s lots of vintage and couture pieces, lots of name brand clothing with the tags still on. If they’re not brand new, they’re gently used.”Liz Handzus, YWCA Marketing and Development Director
“Well these are beautiful couture and vintage items. This one for instance still has the price tag on it, somebody paid $1,000 for it. This is probably vintage late 60s, early 70s.”Patti Kota, YWCA
The sale is 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, 10:00am to 2:00pm on Friday, and 8:00am to 11:00am on Saturday.
There are a variety of sizes. All proceeds will support the YWCA’s ongoing programs. They support domestic violence survivors, human trafficking survivors
WHEELING, West Virginia – August 2024 – We at YWCA Wheeling, through our Survivors of Trafficking Empowerment Program (STEP), are deeply concerned and saddened by the need for the recent human trafficking sting at the San Diego Comic-Con, where 14 individuals were arrested. This incident is a stark reminder of the pervasive and insidious nature of human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights that exploits vulnerable individuals for labor and sexual purposes. Human trafficking is a heinous crime that strips away the dignity, freedom, and safety of individuals, often targeting those who are most vulnerable. At YWCA Wheeling, we stand firmly against all forms of trafficking and exploitation. STEP is dedicated to providing support, resources, and empowerment to survivors of trafficking, helping them reclaim their lives and thrive in a safe and supportive environment. As we reflect on the events in San Diego, we are reminded of the importance of vigilance and education in combating human trafficking. Our organization is committed to raising awareness, educating the community, and working with local law enforcement and other organizations to prevent trafficking and support survivors. We are also proud to host our own Mini Comic-Con, which recently celebrated its fifth year. This event is a celebration of creativity, imagination, and community, providing a safe and inclusive space for fans of all ages to come together and enjoy their shared interests. As we continue to grow this event, we are committed to maintaining a clear and unequivocal separation from any activities that could be associated with or inadvertently support trafficking or exploitation. Our Mini Comic-Con is an opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of fandom culture, to celebrate diversity, and to foster a safe environment where everyone can express themselves freely and without fear. We are taking proactive measures to ensure that our event remains a safe space for all participants, including implementing comprehensive safety protocols, collaborating with local authorities, and providing education on the signs of trafficking and exploitation. At YWCA Wheeling, we believe that every individual deserves to live free from fear and exploitation. We will continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of all people, and we invite our community to join us in this important work. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that events like our Mini Comic-Con are spaces of joy, safety, and respect for everyone. “Our commitment to combating human trafficking is unwavering,” says Lisa Indermuhle, STEP Coordinator at YWCA Wheeling. “We are dedicated to creating safe spaces and providing essential support to survivors. Our Mini Comic-Con is a testament to our efforts in fostering a community where everyone can feel secure and celebrated. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect and empower those affected by trafficking.” We extend our support and solidarity to the survivors of trafficking and to all those working tirelessly to end this abhorrent crime. Let us continue to work together to create a world where everyone can live in safety and freedom.
About YWCA Wheeling The YWCA Wheeling is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Through its programs and services, the organization strives to create a community where individuals can thrive free from violence and oppression.
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — If you’re a fan of comic books, superheroes, anime, or pop culture, Wheeling was the place to be on Saturday.
The YWCA hosted its 5th annual Mini-Con at Vance Memorial Church in Wheeling on Saturday.
The event was free to attend and featured various comic book vendors, artists, cosplay characters, raffle items and a costume contest.
There was also a demonstration from the Praxium Lightsaber Academy and of course appearances by some of the fan favorite superheroes.
The Cultural Diversity Community Outreach Director for the YWCA says the purpose of the event is to bring something that is so popular around the country right here to Wheeling.
I like being able to have an event that feels educational in a way and also exposes you to something that you might not see if you just stayed in the area. And I love when people come to this and leave saying ‘I didn’t even know they had one of these around here’, and I feel like I’m doing my job.”RON SCOTT JR. , CULTURAL DIVERSITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH DIRECTOR, YWCA WHEELING
The YWCA says that the event continues to grow each year, and they hope that they can soon make it as big as some of the other conventions that happen throughout the country.
WHEELING, West Virginia – July 2024 – The YWCA Wheeling proudly announces its receipt of the prestigious Purple Ribbon Award from DomesticShelters.org, in recognition of the outstanding community impact achieved through its Capital Campaign, “Building Hope, Reclaiming Lives.” The campaign launched publicly in January 2023, aimed to raise $16 million for the renovation of the century-old building located on Chapline Street in Wheeling. The Purple Ribbon Awards, organized by DomesticShelters.org, encompass 34 categories and are adjudicated by a distinguished national panel comprising professionals from the domestic violence field. This marks a significant milestone as the first comprehensive awards program dedicated to honoring the unsung heroes of the domestic violence movement. Nominations pour in from across the United States and Canada, making this accolade particularly esteemed.
“We are thrilled and deeply honored to receive the Purple Ribbon Award from DomesticShelters.org,” expressed Lori Jones, Executive Director of YWCA Wheeling. “This recognition underscores the tireless efforts of our organization and community in combating domestic violence and providing support to those in need. The success of our Capital Campaign speaks to the unwavering dedication of our supporters and the resilience of our community.”
The Building Hope, Reclaiming Lives campaign represents a pivotal step forward in the YWCA Wheeling’s mission to create a safer and more supportive environment for survivors of domestic violence. Through extensive renovations and upgrades to its facilities, the YWCA Wheeling aims to enhance its capacity to provide comprehensive services and resources to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse.
Individuals and businesses have had the opportunity to collect room naming rights during the Capital Campaign. With a donation of $5,000 over two years, anyone can attach their name and be a lasting legacy with the YWCA Wheeling.
In accepting this esteemed accolade, the YWCA Wheeling reaffirms its commitment to advocating for survivors, raising awareness, and fostering a culture of empowerment and support within the community. The Purple Ribbon Award serves as a testament to the collective efforts and dedication of all those involved in the fight against domestic violence. For more information about the YWCA Wheeling and the Capital Campaign, please visit www.ywcawheeling.org
As community members brought depictions of four black community leaders to life by adding color to the designs on Tuesday, Wheeling Juneteenth Committee Chairman Ron Scott Jr. could feel the excitement build for today’s Juneteenth Celebration.
“This has been one of the best lead-ups to Juneteenth in the city because people are showing up and enjoying themselves,” Scott said Tuesday. “We had folks in the past showing up with the attitude of, ‘OK, let’s see what this Juneteenth is all about.’ This year, they’re not showing up for a crash course in black history but instead are just coming to have fun with us while celebrating the holiday.”
Beginning Sunday, each day this week offered a unique Black history-centered activity for residents to enjoy, organized by the Wheeling Juneteenth Committee. Tuesday’s mural painting was the final event scheduled before tonight’s Juneteenth Celebration, which will be held at 6 p.m. at Wheeling Heritage Port.
The ceremony will begin with music provided by Voices of Praise of Macedonia Baptist Church. From there, various speakers, including city leadership and NAACP representatives, will take the stage to give speeches.
Speakers during the opening ceremony include Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, Men of Change Vice President Hayden Cook, West Virginia NAACP President Darryl Clausell, Wheeling NAACP Branch member Owens Brown, Wheeling Human Rights Commission member Unique Robinson-Murphy and Nathan Rouse.
After speeches, Ezra Hamilton will take the stage at 7 p.m. in conjunction with the weekly Waterfront Wednesdays at Heritage Port.
“I’m hoping that the speakers really bring it this year, and with Ezra performing, his name speaks for itself,” Scott said. “I think this is going to be one of the best Juneteenth celebrations we’ve had in the city.”
Juneteenth celebrations kicked off Sunday with a Soul Food Cook-Off held by the YWCA in collaboration with Wheeling Heritage and Towngate Theater. Scott said more than 85 hungry residents attended the event to judge the best soul food in categories including greens, potato salad and cornbread.
“People were asking during the cookoff, ‘When is the next one happening?’ so I knew people were having a good time,” Scott recalled. “Food and cooking is a universal topic, so people were not shy when talking about what greens or sweets they liked. Soul food can’t be nailed to exactly one thing when opened to an entire community like on Sunday.”
The festivities took an educational turn Monday during Ohio County Public Library’s Juneteenth Special Edition Lunch with Books featuring Raymond Thompson Jr. During the program, Thompson displayed photos from his book “Appalachian Ghost: A Photographic Reimagining of the Hawk’s Nest Tunnel Disaster,” which recreates workers’ experiences of Hawk’s Nest through photography using primary source materials.
The 1930s disaster was a large-scale incident of occupational lung disease in the mostly black population of construction workers who mined the Hawks Nest Tunnel near Gauley Bridge, West Virginia.
“I didn’t know anything about the tragedy, and I found the presentation very informative,” Scott said. “I was surprised by how many people in the audience knew about Hawk’s Nest already. I’m a big fan of the medium of photography as an art form and seeing all his work was just great.”
The last celebration before the holiday on Tuesday invited locals to add color to drawings by local artist Vondel Bell depicting local black leaders Anne Thomas and Leon “Chu” Berry and national black leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
Anne Thomas was the first black registered nurse in the city and the wife of Wheeling Ironman and Councilman Clyde Thomas. Born and raised in Wheeling, Berry was a prominent tenor saxophone player in the jazz world whose life was cut short in his early 30s by an automobile accident.
According to Wheeling Heritage Programming Director Alex Panas, after the mural is displayed during the Juneteenth Celebration, it will remain at the Wheeling Artisan Center through the “end of the month.” From there, Wheeling Heritage, the Wheeling Arts Commission and the YWCA will decide where the mural will go next.
Wheeling Heritage Programming Director Alex Panas, who coordinated the art project, noted the mural is centered around the theme of this year’s Wheeling Juneteenth Celebrations: “Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams.”
“I think it’s really important to highlight all of our local figures because even though Juneteenth is a national celebration, cities have local ties to the holiday,” Panas said. “Juneteenth is just as much a day of remembrance as it is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come as a nation, so being able to spotlight some of those people who have helped Wheeling progress is important.”
Scott found the mural encompassed his goal for Juneteenth activities in the city this year – to unite the community through celebration and commemoration.
“Juneteenth is not just a black holiday but a community holiday for all folks to come down and celebrate,” Scott said. “You might learn something or you might just come and enjoy yourself, but it is open to everyone.”
Two area organizations that presented annual awards to women of leadership and advocacy have now joined forces to combine their awards into one.
The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and the Wheeling YWCA made the announcement.
The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce started giving the Athena Award last year.
And the Wheeling YWCA has presented their Tribute To Women award for about four decades.
Both awards recognize women in the Ohio Valley who are exemplary leaders. They not only excel in their chosen fields, but they help to empower other women.
Now both groups will combine to present the Athena Award.
We for many many years from the 70s have done a Tribute To Women every year pre-COVID and then we stopped and then when I was fortunate to get the Athena Award last year, it only made sense that I stepped forward and said we have to do this together. And the Chamber was willing and able and we’re honored.LORI JONES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WHEELING YWCA
So I’m very excited for the combining and collaboration between the Wheeling Chamber and the YWCA. It seemed like we’re both striving for the same goals, same purpose, same passion behind it. So why not make it bigger and better than it was before.BROOKE ANDERSON, WHEELING AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
To be partnered with the YWCA is a great thing. To honor women’s leadership and work with a very strong women’s organization within the valley, that’s exciting.MIKE HOWARD, WHEELING AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
This year’s Athena Award will be presented June 6th at the Wheeling Park White Palace. If you want to nominate an exemplary woman in your life, log on to the Wheeling Chamber website.
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — Vance Memorial Church hosted a walk-through simulation where everyday people experience the life of someone who is a part of the system.
Rethink Crimes Victims is an immersive learning activity put on by the Young Women’s Christian Association for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Challenges and barriers that reflected real-life struggles were used to educate participants on the different aspects of poverty, domestic violence, crime, and recovery.
“This is your story; do you choose option A or option B? Then you are redirected to another location, another station. So, everything here is representative of all community relevant programs that individuals who have experienced hate crimes would have to encounter in order to be considered successful when they come back into their community.”LAURA ALBERTINI-WEIGEL, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AT THE YWCA
Laura Albertini-Weigel says that everybody has their challenges, but by building awareness, we can learn more and help lower the barriers people in the system face when re-entering society.
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — One local organization that is working very hard to bring awareness to human trafficking in the Ohio Valley made two special donations on Friday.
The Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center and the YWCA of Wheeling both received $7,000 on Friday thanks to Ignite Hope, who is looking to put an end to human trafficking in our region.
Human trafficking is becoming more common in the Ohio Valley each day, but fortunately for victims, there are organizations looking to change that.
Ignite Hope recently held a fundraiser to bring awareness to human trafficking and to discuss ways to prevent it. Their goal at the fundraiser was to raise a significant amount of money for two other organizations that are doing everything they can to provide resources for victims.
”Ignite Hope is doing a really great job at creating that awareness, and I think that we need to continue rolling that ball down the hill so that we together can fight against trafficking within our communities.”ASHLEY CARPENTER – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UPPER OHIO VALLEY SEXUAL ASSAULT HELP CENTER
The Director of Operations for the YWCA of Wheeling, Heather Lapp, says partnerships with organizations with similar goals are important to help teach people about human trafficking.
”The work that we do, if we don’t have that collaboration between other groups, it just helps us build awareness and really stretches our reach out throughout the community.”HEATHER LAPP – DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, YWCA WHEELING
Although the region is dealing with this horrific crime, there are plenty of people in the community who are taking a stand to help those who have been affected.
”Upper Ohio Valley is like one of the most wonderful communities. They come together no matter what and they support, you know, victims service like people, individuals within the community and organizations. You can’t ask for a better community.”ASHLEY CARPENTER – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UPPER OHIO VALLEY SEXUAL ASSAULT HELP CENTER
The fight to put an end to human trafficking is not over, but Lapp says that they are moving in the right direction.
”Seeing all the different people that are actually starting to understand what human trafficking is and that it’s here in our valley and the work that we do. It’s just a wonderful experience to watch women restart their lives.”HEATHER LAPP – DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, YWCA WHEELING
Both organizations that received the $7,000 say they will use the money to continue providing various resources to victims of human trafficking. Some of those resources include the YWCA’s Emergency Shelter for victims to escape from a trafficker, as well as self-defense classes provided by the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Center.
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The YWCA of Wheeling is offering students and faculty from local high schools to participate in a 4-day trip to Atlanta to tour four different Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
For no cost, students and faculty from local high schools are invited to join the YWCA of Wheeling to explore what Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Atlanta have to offer.
The trip is free for anyone to attend thanks to funding from the The Hess Foundation, Ohio County Schools, and the Communities of Color grant awarded through the Benedum Foundation.
The main purpose of the trip is to show students that there are endless opportunities regardless of ethnicity, race, or social background to pursue outside of the Ohio Valley.
The Cultural Diversity and Community Outreach Director for the YWCA says the trip will be one that will provide a new perspective for anyone who attends.
”We set up full school visits, like they’re going to take us through tours, we’re going to see classrooms, dorms, we’re going to see the whole experience. That’s why I think the whole four days of it is going to be really nice. We’re going to try to fill it with as much information as we can and as much experiences as we can. It’s one of the more inclusive events that we have cause we want to invite everyone to see what these HBCU’s have to offer.”RON SCOTT JR. – CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH DIRECTOR, YWCA WHEELING
There are 30 spots for students and 20 spots for faculty on the trip. The trip will be from March 25 to March 28.
