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YWCA Lancaster

@ywcalancaster

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Eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
𝟐𝟒-𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 717.392.7273

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YWCA Lancaster's Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling team is here for you. If you or a non offending individual has been impacted by sexual harassment, abuse, or assault, our hotline is 24/7, and operated by trained advocates. #OnAMission by @ywcalancaster

YWCA Lancaster stands in support of Planned Parenthood.

YWCA Lancaster is profoundly disappointed by the Supreme Court decision permitting states to restrict Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood plays a crucial role in providing essential healthcare to low-income individuals and families. In our community, it ensures access to affordable sexual and reproductive health services—including birth control, STI testing, and life-saving cancer screenings. These services are not only preventative but also pivotal in safeguarding long-term health and well-being for those who might otherwise go without care.

Comprehensive healthcare should be a right afforded to all.

For more info about our policy positions, please visit ywcalancaster.org/policy. by @ywcalancaster

Election Day is HERE! Today is the day to make your voice heard and help shape the future of our community.

Haven’t voted yet? Check your polling place, hours, and what you need to bring — then head to the polls ➡️ Vote411.org/YWCA

#YWomenVote26 #GOTV by @ywcalancaster

This November, we are celebrating Native American Heritage Month by recognizing the accomplishments of our Indigenous sisters that have pushed YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism end empower women forward. Each one paved the way in fields from medicine, science, education, activism, and leadership. Join us as we highlight their inspiring stories and honor their enduring legacy.

#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #YWCA by @ywcalancaster

The YWCA Lancaster Sexual Assault Prevention & Counseling Center is honored to be a recipient of @lancasterlawfoundation Lancaster Law Foundation’s Community Grants Program. We see every day how overwhelming it can be for survivors to navigate legal systems after experiencing sexual violence, harassment, assault, or trafficking. Too often, people do not know their rights, where to turn for help, or how to access the protections available to them.

This funding will help us strengthen partnerships with law enforcement, attorneys, medical providers, and colleges throughout Lancaster County, ensuring that more professionals are equipped to respond compassionately and effectively to survivors. It will also allow us to reach thousands of students and community members with information about victims' rights and available support services.

Together, we are building a community where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered. Thank you to the Lancaster Law Foundation for investing in that vision and for helping us create a stronger, more responsive system for everyone who needs it. by @ywcalancaster

Celebrating the 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards on Thursday, October 29, at the Lancaster County Convention Center was an amazing and uplifting event experience honoring visionary leaders and their transformative impact in the Lancaster community!

Congratulations to all of the exceptional honorees of the 2026 Women of Achievement Awards!

Award recipients of the 2026 Women of Achievement Awards included:
• Andrea Fox Lewis – Young Woman of Achievement
• Dr. Ada Emuwa
• Heather Valudes
• Lakeesha Bair-Myers
• Patricia Espinosa-Vargas

Through the inspiring stories of the honorees shared in videos produced by We & Company – the audience learned about their life journeys, motivation for their pathways of success, and the remarkable accomplishments they are celebrating.

Community connection took center stage at this milestone anniversary celebration of 10 years of the Women of Achievement Awards – concluding with a special presentation of roses to CEO Stacie Blake by honorees past and present, in honor of her dedication to the Lancaster community.

Welcoming incoming CEO of YWCA Lancaster Willonda McCloud, a 2018 Women of Achievement Award recipient, Stacie shared remarks highlighting the meaningful work of YWCA Lancaster in the community with a focus on the Kepler Hall Residence Program – offering safe, affordable housing for women and families facing housing insecurity.

Special thanks to our Legacy Partner for the 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards – Truist Bank.

Event proceeds support YWCA Lancaster programs including the Kepler Hall Residence Program.

Thank you to the community for coming together to experience this truly unforgettable celebration of leadership and legacy! by @ywcalancaster

Our hope is that all in the community who pass by this library find it easier to access vital information about their rights.

The ACLU-PA Rights Resource Libraries are now located across four Pennsylvania counties — we're grateful this one found a home in Lancaster right outside the YWCA.

@ywcalancaster is committed to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all, so we know the library is in good hands.

Thank you to @symonesalibstudio for lending your artistry to bring this project to life.

Community members can stop by, grab a voting rights booklet, and be on the lookout for future ACLU-PA resources and surprises inside. by @ywcalancaster

YWCA Lancaster is grateful to our Production Partner Shumaker PDT @shumakerpdt for their valuable partnership in making the 2026 Women of Achievement Awards celebration an extraordinary event experience!

The 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards on Thursday, October 29, at the Lancaster County Convention Center celebrated exceptional leaders in the Lancaster community!

Thank you to our gracious event partners at Shumaker PDT for making the 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards an amazing celebration of empowerment and positive impact for the Lancaster community! by @ywcalancaster

For 10 years, @ywcalancaster has brought women together to recognize those making a difference throughout Lancaster County. This year’s Women of Achievement Awards celebrated that milestone while honoring CEO Stacie Blake at her final ceremony before she steps down in January.

The celebration welcomed past and present honorees. Since the awards began in 2017, 44 women have been recognized, with five more joining them this year.
The 2026 honorees included Dr. Ada Emuwa, a family physician and advocate for health equity; Heather Valudes, president and CEO of the Lancaster Chamber; Lakeesha Bair-Myers, a school social worker at Reynolds Middle School; and Patricia Espinosa-Vargas, director of PA 211 East at United Way of Lancaster County. Andrea Fox Lewis, a student @Thaddeusstevenscollege, received the Young Woman of Achievement Award.

For Stacie, the afternoon was especially meaningful as she prepares to conclude seven years leading YWCA Lancaster. During her tenure, the organization established its Center for Racial and Gender Equity, introduced programs supporting Black artists and advanced the YForward renovation of its historic building.

The recently completed third phase of the project added 17 residential rooms for women with extremely low incomes. The investment supports YWCA Lancaster’s longstanding commitment to housing, including its Kepler Hall Residence Program, which provides affordable housing for single women and emergency shelter for single parents with children.

As she prepares for her departure, Stacie credited the organization’s accomplishments to the staff and community members who have supported its work. The celebration introduced Willonda McCloud, who will succeed Stacie as CEO in January.

As past and present honorees gathered around Stacie onstage, the celebration offered a reminder of what 10 years of Women of Achievement represents. Behind each recognition are countless people whose lives have been touched by the women being honored. And as Stacie prepares to step away from YWCA Lancaster, the work she helped advance will continue through the people and community she has spent seven years supporting

#lancasterpa #supportlocal by @ywcalancaster

YWCA Lancaster is grateful to our Honoree Video Partners We & Company @weandcompany19 for their valuable partnership in sharing the inspiring stories of the 2026 Women of Achievement honorees through video.

The 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards on Thursday, October 29, at the Lancaster County Convention Center celebrated exceptional leaders in the Lancaster community!

Thank you to our gracious event partners at We & Company for making the 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards a truly unforgettable community celebration! by @ywcalancaster

YWCA Lancaster extends our sincere gratitude to our Photography Partner for the Women of Achievement Awards – Molly S Photography @molly_s_photography

Outstanding high-quality professional photography of our 2026 Women of Achievement honorees is a main element in the event promotion and success, with photography that highlights the accomplishments of these transformative leaders.

The 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards is taking place on Thursday, October 29, at the Lancaster County Convention Center – celebrating outstanding leaders in the Lancaster community!

Visit the Silent Auction website online to see the items and experiences — and bid online at the following website link: https://tinyurl.com/3jkr2arc

Anyone can participate and bid in the Silent Auction!

Make a gift to support YWCA Lancaster programs including the Kepler Hall Residence Program online. Contribute to our larger goal of raising the $23,000 required to move a family from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Donate online at: https://tinyurl.com/43mzuysf

Thank you to our Photography Partner for capturing exceptional images of the honorees, celebrating their motivation and inspiration for making a lasting impact in our community! by @ywcalancaster

YWCA Lancaster is grateful to our Event Partners for the Women of Achievement Awards for their generous contributions.

Special thanks to Alegre Events @alegre_events, Julie Liz Photography @julielizphotography Oaktree Outdoor Advertising @oaktreeoutdooradvertising and Brenneman Printing for providing valuable services, support and event promotion – and for making this year’s 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards an exceptional celebration of impact and leadership!

The 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards takes place on Thursday, October 29, at the Lancaster County Convention Center – celebrating outstanding leaders in the Lancaster community!

Participate and bid in the Silent Auction and make a difference with a donation to YWCA Lancaster’s Kepler Hall Residence Program.

Visit the Silent Auction website online to see the items and experiences — and bid online at the following website link: https://tinyurl.com/3jkr2arc

Anyone can participate and bid in the Silent Auction!

Proceeds support YWCA Lancaster programs including the Kepler Hall Residence Program.

Make a gift to support YWCA Lancaster programs including the Kepler Hall Residence Program online. Contribute to our larger goal of raising the $23,000 required to move a family from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Donate online at: https://tinyurl.com/43mzuysf

Thank you to our gracious event partners for creating an amazing celebration for the 10-year anniversary of the Women of Achievement Awards! by @ywcalancaster