By Kelly Burns
he YWCA Northwest Louisiana is hosting its sixth annual Women Who Care, Share Luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 17, at East Ridge Country Club. The luncheon, which serves as a major fundraiser for the YWCA, is not just a celebration of women’s empowerment but a platform to address issues of race and social justice as well. “Our mission revolves around empowering women and eliminating racism,” said Rachel Scott, interim executive director of YWCA Northwest Louisiana.
The YWCA, once a shelter for abused women in downtown Shreveport, reinvented itself in 2010 after the downtown location closed. Since then, the organization has transformed into a Women’s Resource Center located at 850 Olive Street, offering an array of programs aimed at aiding women across various stages of their life, from teenage girls to older women.
Among these programs are two designed specifically for teenage girls: the Leadership, Empowerment, and Development program (LEAD), which teaches leadership skills, and a parenting program for teen mothers, providing support and assistance for those at a disadvantage. “We provide support and assistance to these young moms, who find themselves facing many obstacles,” Scott said.
The YWCA also provides free counseling services for women and teens who’ve experienced trauma, particularly victims of crime, and runs programs for older women who’ve been victims of crime. These programs go beyond the confines of the Resource Center, reaching out to the community to ensure services are accessible.
A core part of the YWCA’s offerings is economic empowerment. Through their Restart program, they provide job skills training to help women secure better employment, develop digital literacy skills, and increase their earning potential. “We work with women one-on-one, tailoring our support to their specific needs, goals, and hopes,” Scott said. “It’s about helping women build their skills and empower themselves economically.”
Additionally, the YWCA facilitates programs to address issues of racism and racial justice, offering both the Dialogue on Race groups – a 6-week series that is a structured, two-hour weekly dialogue limited to 10 to 15 participants and by two trained facilitators – and monthly lunchtime discussions through their Let’s Chat and Chew program.
Fostering community dialogue on these issues is a key component of the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism. “We provide opportunities for our community to learn from each other and to understand better the struggles people face,” Scott added.
Alongside these programs, the YWCA also operates FAB Finds, a resale shop on Kings Highway that accepts donations of clothing, shoes, accessories, and housewares. All the proceeds from the shop go to support the YWCA’s programs, and it helps to get the organization’s message out to the community.
The Women Who Care, Share Luncheon is a highlight of the YWCA’s annual calendar. This year, the luncheon is themed “Empowered Women Empowering Women,” and will present a panel of women leaders who will share their personal experiences and valuable insights on women’s leadership and empowerment. The panel will include Dr. Markey Pierre, Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts, Laurie Boswell, Latronia Durham, and Aashni Shah.
“We’ve had speakers in the past and we’ve done different things, but this year we’re doing something a little different,” Scott shared. “We’re excited to have a high school student leader and four professional women from different fields sharing their insights.”
Tickets are $75 each and the luncheon is open to anyone who wishes to support the YWCA and take part in an event that champions women’s empowerment. In addition to the panel discussion, the event will also feature a silent auction. “It’s one of the ways we help fund our programs and our organization,” Scott said.