ywca clark county is pleased to announce the appointment of Sherri Bennett to the position of Executive Director. Bennett, currently the Director of Programs at the ywca, was selected by the ywca Board of Directors following a national search.

Bennett brings more than 12 years’ non-profit experience spanning direct service advocacy, program development, program management, financial management and fundraising. During eight of those years, she directed the SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program, where she spearheaded service expansion to marginalized communities, partnered in creating an on-site domestic violence legal clinic, increased outreach and education efforts to middle and high school students, and more than doubled revenue for the program. Bennett is a graduate Western Washington University, where she received her BA in Political Science.

“I am honored and privileged to be selected as a representative of ywca clark county. I stand in esteemed company in an organization that draws its inspiration from courageous program participants, dedicated staff and volunteers, and generous donors,” says Bennett, who will make the transition to Executive Director in late September. The ywca will host an open house for community members and corporate partners to see the facilities and meet Ms. Bennett. Kathy Kniep will continue to serve as Executive Director through September 22, and plans to stay involved with ywca clark county.

For more than a year, Barbara was involved with meetings and Court hearings; she visited the children and observed visits between the mom and children. When the mom showed up, Barbara encouraged her to get into services as she was concerned whether mom had the capability to parent. Barbara also searched for the fathers. Child welfare hadn’t the time or resources, but Barbara followed lead after lead. She found the biological father for 2 of the children, and he soon moved to Vancouver to seek a job, services, and to work toward being reunited with his children. Barbara met periodically with him and also encouraged him to be successful even when child welfare didn’t always see the father as an option. She observed visits and checked on how the dad and the mom were doing with services. The mom was unable to follow through. The dad did very well. Courts have historically been reluctant to have a single father parent small children, but Barbara had confidence this dad could do it. She fought to have increased and overnight visits and then recommended the children go home to their father. She and child welfare would monitor for at least 6 months. The Court placed the children with the father in the spring of 2009.

By fall 2009, this family was reaching normalcy. ‘Alley’ is a now a 5-year-old. She is out going and has begun kindergarten. She’s developed a close bond with her siblings and loves her father.  Her shots are up to date, and developmentally, she is growing in all aspects. Her father maintains her hygiene and she looks real happy. ‘Eadie’ is a 2½ -year-old little girl with an attitude. Since her return to her father she has developed a strong bond with her older sister, Alley. It is clear that they are happy to be together. She enjoys daycare while Dad studies computer science full time at Clark College. ‘Ned’ is now 8-years old and in third grade. When he began school he was behind but he has worked hard and is closing that gap. He’s able to make friends and he seems to enjoy school. Ned has gone from being the substitute adult in the family to being a normal and healthy eight-year-old. The father has grown in many ways. He has learned to take advice and criticism, and is devoted to obtaining an education after realizing that he is unable to support his family without an education.

By January 2010, Barbara had visited the dad’s home many times both announced and unannounced. He is calm, loving and caring, and he never raised his voice during her visits to their home. He is very attentive to his children and his discipline seems appropriate and he follows through. Barbara talks to school, daycare and dad’s service providers, as well as child welfare workers. All has gone well since the placement with this father. The children are thriving. The mother is sporadic with her visits and stability. Dad has gotten custody in Family Court and the mother’s visits will be supervised. Barbara feels confident to recommend that this Court case be dismissed. She feels good about her efforts to find a missing father, encourage his participation, monitor his accountability and ability to parent, and about her hours of time donated to monitor the case. She has watched these scared and deprived children become healthy and growing members of our community with a parent who can support them.

All ywca programs—like the CASA Program—need community support now more than ever. Please consider volunteering at ywca clark county today.

We greatly appreciate your generous contributions which helped raise funds to enrich the lives of over 11,000 people in our community.

Many of you offered your time, and many more of you, your donations, to make the Summer Social a successful event. Both are valuable contributions that helped us raise a total revenue of $70,565 to sustain ywca programs that serve victims of domestic violence, homelessness, child abuse and neglect, oppression, and sexual assault.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to the following sponsors who made this year’s Summer Social benefit possible: Corwin Beverage Company, Adco Commercial Printing and Graphics, The Vancouver Clinic, The Vancouver Business Journal, The Columbian, Boeing, Foster and Associates, and Kelly Nolan & Jon Scott.

Thanks for investing in ywca clark county and in our community. With your support, we are a strong organization with a promising future.

The SafeChoice Dating Violence Prevention Program provides presentations focused on raising awareness about domestic violence. These interactive educational sessions cover defining the kinds of violence present in our communities, how to recognize the warning signs of violence in personal relationships, and how to understand and break the cycle of violence. Cecily has made 94 presentations (using the comprehensive curriculum from BreakTheCycle.org) to 17 schools and youth groups, reaching more than 3500 youth.

“I love interacting with the kids. They are insightful and honest, and some may have already experienced some form of violence, or want to help those in their circles who are experiencing violence. The program’s goal is to equip them with information and resources so they can help others, and help themselves.”

The flexible curriculum introduces serious and sometimes scary content. Recent statistics state that one in three women will report being abused in some way at some point in their life. Boys and men can also be abused though at a much lower rate. And, men are far less likely to report abuse. But, Cecily always brings group discussions back to the positive. “We talk about how to have healthy relationships, what qualities we want in our partners and friends, and how to help those who want to end violence in their own lives.”

For more information on the SafeChoice Dating Violence Prevention Program or to schedule a presentation with your group, contact Cecily Griffus, SafeChoice dating violence prevention specialist at ywca clark county, at cgriffus@ywcaclarkcounty.org or 360 906 9146.

All ywca programs—like the SafeChoice Dating Violence Prevention Program—need community support now more than ever. Please consider donating to the ywca clark county today.