A Message from Debbie Pope, CEO
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The YWCA and our mission to eliminate racism and empower women and girls is critical right now.
Providing quality, affordable child care in an open and inclusive environment has always been at the core of our early learning services.
We have reopened our doors to provide essential early child care services during this time but we are also preparing for an anticipated increased need for child care in the near future.
In the fall, Persimmon Early Learning of the YWCA will open its doors with new classrooms, reimagined outdoor learning spaces and curriculum and programming for drop-in and permanent care. Formerly called Children’s Alley, Persimmon Early Learning will still provide a flexible and nourishing environment for our community but will also provide high-quality permanent care for children eight weeks to four years of age.
All our programming will include: Early Childcare Education-certified teachers, level four Colorado Shines school certification, a Storybook Journey curriculum focused on play-based experiential learning, milestone assessment tools and bi-annual parent/teacher conferences, family and community events.
Construction has started and we are enrolling for fall now. Please join me for a quick peek at our progress in the
video above.
The YWCA Boulder County has been serving this community for 98 years. I hope you share my hope and excitement as we look toward the future of providing expanded programming for the children, girls, women and families we gratefully serve.
Sincerely,
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Construction is Underway for the Expansion of Persimmon Early Learning
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We’re thrilled that construction has begun on the expansion of our child care center Persimmon Early Learning of the YWCA (formerly Children's Alley)! The updates to our outdoor learning spaces and demolition on the interior spaces are scheduled to be done by the end of this month.
The renovated space at the YWCA will add two classrooms and 24 additional spots to our learning center for permanent care. The program will provide an emphasis on parent engagement and education through a two-generation approach; health equity emphasis through scheduled activities and active play time; good nutrition modeling and activities including diverse and healthy meal plan; and all of its teachers are certified in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and trained in social/emotional skills to help with behavior management.
Persimmon Early Learning will include the same drop-in care YWCA Boulder County has always provided, plus the addition of two new permanent care classrooms now enrolling for fall 2020.
Start the enrollment process today
to secure spots for permanent care starting in September 2020. We will offer permanent child care for children ages eight weeks to 4 years old.
Online Parent Info Sessions will be held virtually every other Wednesday, starting with:
- Wednesday, June 24 from 11:30 -12:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 8 from 11:30 -12:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 22 from 11:30 -12:30 p.m.
Visit our
website
and fill out our
Interest Form
to sign up for an Info Session, be notified of Virtual Tours (coming soon!), and begin the enrollment process today.
We’re happy to share our expansion and enrollment news with you, and we’ll keep you updated on our progress. Thanks as always for your support – we couldn’t have done this without you!
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YWCA Demands an End to Systemic Racism and Racial Injustice
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We share in the grief, anger and the demands for action that we have seen pouring out of our communities in recent weeks.
Institutional racism has taken too many lives in this country and is the reason why we see people of color die more frequently from COVID-19, why Black mothers die more frequently in childbirth, and why police shootings are a leading cause of death for young Black men.
We demand an end to institutional racism. We demand an end to the violence and deaths of people of color in America due to police brutality. We stand with Black Lives Matter. We stand in solidarity with people of color. We stand against racism.
Individual self-education and changes to public policy are essential to dismantling institutional racism.
Take Action: Get Educated and Prepared to be an Ally
- Being an Antiracist - Virtual Training Series (now accepting wait-list registrations for future sessions): We have designed a three-part training and discussion series called "Being an Antiracist", for individuals who are committed to learning more about the personal, interpersonal, institutional and structural systems of racism that can lead to informed action and transformation of a community determined to end racism.
- We have currently reached full capacity for the first round of this training series. Please add your name and contact info to the wait-list so that we can contact you about future sessions.
- Changing Policy to Dismantle Structural Racism: Please contact your state representatives today and ask them for their support in passing CO SB217 to enhance law enforcement integrity. Learn more about CO SB217 here.
- Reading to End Racism: Adults and Children
- Sign up for the RER Literary Book Club. We are currently reading the book, The Newcomers by Helen Thorpe and the next virtual meeting will be Tuesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. to talk about the last third of the book. Please contact Shiquita Yarbrough at syarbrough@ywcaboulder.org to learn more and register. It's not too late to join and all are welcome!
- Read age appropriate books to your children that start conversations about race, equity and empathy. Please contact Shiquita Yarbrough at syarbrough@ywcaboulder.org to inquire about our book lists by age level and topic.
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Join YWCA Boulder County in celebrating the LGBTQ+ community during national PRIDE month this month. Each year we come together to honor the brave people who fought back against police raids in the
1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, all those who have fought tirelessly for LGBTQ+ rights, and all the incredible LGBTQ+ people who are such a wonderful part of our communities and world.
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In Need of Donations of Items due to COVID-19
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Since our phased reopening in May, our teaching staff have been going above and beyond to ensure we are meeting the new cleaning and disinfecting protocols set by Boulder County Public Health.
$800 -
Plexiglass Window for our Front Desk
$475
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New Dishwasher for the Infant Development Center
Disinfecting Wipes: These are difficult to find in-stock in stores, so if you have extras, donations would be greatly appreciated!
If you have items you would like to donate, we are looking for:
- Cleaning Towels
- Dish Towels
- Dish-washing Gloves
- Cleaning aprons
These items will help our staff clean more efficiently since the disinfecting protocols will be in place for the foreseeable future. Thank you!
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Why We Support YWCA's STEM E3 Program from Mark Bouzek and Deb Parks
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We are so grateful for Mark Bouzek and Deb Parks' generous and consistent support!
Here's what Mark had to say about why they give to YWCA Boulder County and our STEM E3 program:
"Deb and I believe that STEM education is as important to this generation as reading and writing were to previous ones. STEM knowledge is fundamental to future job success regardless of profession and to the United States’ competitiveness in the global economy. Girls and children of color often do not have sufficient and natural access to STEM training early in their education. The YWCA/Google E3 partnership in Boulder County provides high-quality, introductory STEM exposure to children of color early enough in their education to be highly influential in future career choices.
We also believe that supporting non-profit organizations during the COVID crisis is critically important. This unprecedented event has put extreme strain on the non-profit ecosystem at a time when many of its services are most needed. We are placing a priority on providing financial help now to ensure that the YWCA will continue to provide high-quality programs and services now and well into a post-COVID future."
-Mark Bouzek
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Non-cash Ways to Support the YWCA
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Here are several ways to support the YWCA - all without touching your bank account:
- Give from your Donor Advised Fund: If you have a Donor Advised Fund, you have already set aside those dollars to support nonprofits you love. These tumultuous times are the biggest "rainy day" our society has ever experienced. Make a gift today to YWCA Boulder County and your other favorite nonprofits.
- Amazon Smile: Shop at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization at no cost to you. After logging into your Amazon account, go to Account & Lists, look under My Account to select Your AmazonSmile, and search for YWCA Boulder County. Then, remember to always start your shopping at smile.amazon.com when you purchase from Amazon.
- King Soopers Community Rewards: Earn money for your favorite community organization when you use your loyalty card. Log in or create an account at kingsoopers.com, go to My Account, click Community Rewards along the left menu, and then select YWCA Boulder County.
- Donate your vehicle through Vehicles for Charity: Instead of selling, trading, or storing your vehicle, you can donate your vehicle to the charity of your choice and receive a tax deduction.
- Donate some or all of your state income tax refund through ReFUND: Visit refundwhatmatters.org to learn more and to find the nonprofit registration number to enter on your tax return. When you complete your state tax return, enter registration #20023006070 for YWCA Boulder County.
And, of course, you can also support YWCA with a cash contribution by donating
here.
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Meet the Staff: Celina Hernandez
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Celina Hernandez, Senior Manager, Persimmon Early Learning
When did you join YWCA Boulder County and Persimmon Early Learning (formerly Children’s Alley)?
“I was a teacher from 2014-2017 and came back as Senior Manager in April of 2018.”
What do you do at the YWCA?
“I help to manage Persimmon Early Learning's Early Childhood Education Program. I handle all ground and daily operations of the program including enrollment of new families, file maintenance, daily financials, the scheduling of both teachers and children, and last but not least, daily problem solving."
What's your favorite thing about YWCA Boulder County?
“Working at the YWCA, I’ve had the honor of working alongside many hardworking, devoted and determined women who have been valuable role models for me.”
What is something people may not know about you?
“In my free time, I like to do different types of arts and crafts, especially DIY projects at home.”
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Community Events
- Women's Wilderness is excited to announce that, starting in July, our summer backpacking, rock climbing and hiking COURSES FOR GIRLS ARE ON! We have never been more ready to get outside together...carefully. We’ve significantly adapted our programs in collaboration with our course physician to mitigate risks associated with COVID-19. To learn more about how we’re addressing health, from both a physical and mental perspective, read our COVID-19 Guidelines for Families and Participants. We will be updating this to adhere to all CDC, State and local requirements.
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- Early Childhood Toddler Teachers. Early Childhood Teacher or Director qualification required.
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Thank you Program Funders
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Thank you City of Boulder Housing and Human Services Department for your grant funding for Children's Alley!
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Thank you City of Boulder Youth Opportunities Program for your grant funding of Latina Achievement Support (LAS).
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Thank YOU for your support!
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Our work would not be possible without the support of passionate individuals and businesses like you, how support our programs and services.
Contact us
to learn more about donating stock or other assets, donating through your employers giving program or becoming an event sponsor.
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