News

The Greensburg YWCA is marking 65 years, and the recent anniversary celebration was just the start of the party, according to its executive director.

The YWCA has been an institution in Greensburg since 1959, and its staff wants to ensure that everyone in the region knows they’re here and ready to help. “We’re a community partner to help not just young women, but really everybody,” said Executive Director Carol Palcic of Southwest Greensburg.

The 65th anniversary celebration kicked off with a reception Jan. 26, capped off by attendees taking a group photo with sparklers, drawing celebratory honks from passers-by on North Main Street. Staff also recognized longtime volunteer Carolyn Falcon, of Greensburg who has been a member of the YWCA since its founding and is a regular at its bridge group.

Palcic said the YWCA’s community programs bounced back in a big way after the covid pandemic. “We’ve gotten our English as a second language program back up and running, and it’s really going very strong,” she said. “We’ve partnered with the Diocese of Greensburg and the Literacy Council of Southwestern Pennsylvania on that program.”

Palcic said the YWCA’s “TechGYRLS” program, which connects young women with hands-on STEM projects, has gotten back on track and partnered with several local middle schools. Palcic said a partnership with the local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter will result in a youth health fair in February of this year, and YWCA staff is partnering with Independence Health System to host a program for young women about the changes that puberty brings.

In the YWCA basement, a former preschool has been converted into a bookstore that’s open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and the first Saturday of each month.

Written by: Patrick Varine from the Tribune Review

2023 NEWS

GIRLS IN PEARLS FASHION SHOW

This fundraiser occurred on Monday, October 16th, 2023. The evening featured fashions from the YWCA Thrift Shop and presentation of the 2023 YWCA Rising Star Award Winner.

COMCAST AND UNITED WAY PARTNERSHIP

Comcast and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania announced the expansion of an innovative Digital Navigator Network that will empower local residents in southwestern Pennsylvania. Beginning this month, the Digital Navigators will work at three trusted community organizations –Literacy Pittsburgh, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and YWCA of Westmoreland County – to help residents in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland counties learn more about and sign up for affordable Internet, use devices and acquire digital skills.

The YWCA Westmoreland County received on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023, from Comcast and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, 100 laptops to support our local efforts. These initiatives are part of Project UP – Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity.

WEEK WITHOUT VIOLENCE EVENT

NOT ON OUR SCREENS. NOT IN OUR STREETS. A MOVEMENT TOWARDS VIOLENCE-FREE COMMUNITIES

YWCA Westmoreland County had the opportunity to partner with Seton Hill University during the “Week Without Violence” which occurred the week of October 16–21 to create a movement towards violence-free communities. YWCA and Seton Hill Students were able to share with those who entered the Campus Ministry room, about tech-facilitated #GenderBasedViolence so that together, we can end #GBV in EVERY space where it occurs.

The students from Setonian Seminar class created an informative PowerPoint presentation about domestic violence. YWCA had a banner made for the students, professors, and staff to sign in support to end violence against women and girls. We would like to extend our appreciation to Seton Hill University for allowing the YWCA Westmoreland County to bring this Week of Action to your campus.

A QUILTING JOURNEY: THREADS OF FREEDOM AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

We are grateful to the Racial Justice Committee who organized an incredible presentation given by the lovely Ethel Hayden of Tarentum. She discussed her family's legacy of quilt making, spoke on the history of slavery coding, and the Underground Railroad. She wishes more people knew about quilts and their important role in helping enslaved men and women navigate their escape on the Underground Railroad.