Jamestown YMCA VP of Operations John Barber presents to Jamestown Local Development Corporation (May 17, 2023)

The Jamestown YMCA is requesting $1 million in American Rescue Plan funds to construct a new facility on Harrison Street.

YMCA Vice President of Operations John Barber and Tom Benson presented to the Jamestown Local Development Corporation on their request of funding from the Non-Profit Business Grant Program.

Benson said the total project cost for the nearly 68,000 square foot facility is $30 million. He said there is currently $4 million committed from local foundations, “But we have three or four other sources of funding lined up, but we have to be able to go back to them and say, ‘Now we’ve got the city commitment, not just with a letter but with skin in the game.’ Go back to the state and try to get the state to commit. Then we have New Market Tax Credits, then we have tax rebond reissuance, then we have the (Ralph C.) Wilson Foundation who told us to come back when we had more commitment.”

Benson said there will come a time when the current East Fourth Street location will not be sustainable.

The new facility will include a childcare center, two pools, group exercise areas, a track for running and walking; gymnasium, and other exercise areas.

The Jamestown YWCA also presented a request of $145,714 for a three-year “Young Women Choosing Action” Program.

The program was developed by the national YWCA and is an “intersectional, culturally responsive, trauma-informed leadership program designed with the unique challenges and opportunities of low-income young women and young women of color, ages 13 to 19.”

Collaborative Children’s Solutions also presented on a request for $96,850 toward a peer-run mental health and substance use group that would be mainly operated at the Northwest Arena.

Wednesday’s presentations were the first three of eight that will come before the JLDC board before they are expected to vote in June on which non-profits will receive funding. The grant program was funded with $1.5 million.

YWCA Jamestown’s Broadscast features members of the local YWCA Jamestown team discussing a variety of issues and topics with various guests from the Jamestown and Chautauqua Region.

On this episode the hosts talk about National Laughter Month with guest Jane Fischer

The Broadscast program covers a wide range of topics, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) issues; racial justice and civil rights; empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls; and health and safety of women and girls. It is provided through funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The 2nd Annual Chautauqua County Book Read is underway. Officials from the Jamestown YWCA tell us more.

County residents are invited to read “Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation” by Linda Villarosa.

The purpose of the shared book read is to engage Chautauqua County residents, businesses, nonprofits and organizations to help heal  divides and propel participants to be engaged citizens working towards a more inclusive and just society.

Each participant is also encouraged to attend one book discussion group between April 17 and 28, 2023. In-person and online book discussion groups will be offered.

To register for a book discussion, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_fNuj5EcsSwIutCnkVacD03U19GS-jvnwk9-rJupqF1-55A/viewform

Additionally, participants are invited to attend a live lecture at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, July 20 with the author, Linda Villarosa, at the Hall of Philosophy on the Chautauqua Institution grounds.
This day has been designated as “Chautauqua County Day” at the Institution, and all Chautauqua County residents are eligible for free admission and parking.

Tickets for this day will be available beginning June 1 by calling the Chautauqua Institution Ticket Office at 716-357-6250. Free parking is only available with ticket orders made by July 11. This offer may not be combined with a long-term ticket.

For more information on “Chautauqua County Day,” visit: chqcounty.chq.org

While participants are encouraged to purchase their own copy of the book, the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System has a limited amount of the title to borrow as well.

More information on the times and locations of the book discussions is available via the registration link and at https://www.ywcajamestown.com/chqbookread

The fundraiser is a family friendly walk to raise money for the Jamestown YWCA and its Transitions Supportive Housing program.

Transitions Supportive Housing provides safe and affordable housing and service-enriched case management to women and children who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The program offers opportunities for residents to identify their capabilities and develop the new skills necessary to be successful at healthy independent living.

Registration for the event on Saturday starts at 4:00 p.m. at the Jamestown YWCA at 401 North Main Street. The walk starts at 5:00 p.m. and a light meal will be served at 6:00 p.m.

There are two different routes being offered to walkers that include a 2-kilometer loop around downtown Jamestown and a 5-kilometer loop through downtown Jamestown that includes the Riverwalk.

For more information, visit https://cnoy.com/location/jamestown?fbclid=IwAR0YDeoOwogA6tK0BdySVhAItv7iV9xgMD6EqTcmmPJCbObKw5980NnIWZ8

YWCA Jamestown’s Broadscast features members of the local YWCA Jamestown team discussing a variety of issues and topics with various guests from the Jamestown and Chautauqua Region.

This episode features Indo and Alize discussing Black History Month.

The Broadscast program covers a wide range of topics, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) issues; racial justice and civil rights; empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls; and health and safety of women and girls. It is provided through funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Vickye James

The Princess Club and Book M.A.R.K Program at the YWCA of Jamestown are the first recipients of the Vickye James Blueprint Fund.

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County announced the awards.

The Princess Club is a community-based organization fostering mentorship, friendship, fun, and support for girls in the greater Jamestown area. Girls ages 4-13 can attend a weekly program during the summer.

The Blueprint funds will cover the expenses for general operational costs and activities that provide positive experiences and opportunities for girls to build self-esteem, reading skills and healthy habits.

Princess Club Director and Founder Brenda Stewart shared the Vickye James was a leading member of the club for several years.

The YWCA Book M.A.R.K. (Motivating Aspiring Reading with Kindness) Program is an inter-generational social justice literacy program that helps plant the seeds for the elimination of racism and discrimination among youth by focusing on the celebration of various cultures, ethnicities, and identities.

Through books, personal stories, and activities, Book M.A.R.K aims to provide students and teachers alike with the tools necessary to facilitate productive conversations about racism, bullying, and discrimination. The Blueprint funds will cover training and facilitation of volunteers for the program.

YWCA Social Justice and Racial Equity Director Alizé Scott-Nowell said the volunteer-based program will provide, “opportunities for leadership development, especially for historically underrepresented community members to lead conversations surrounding their own cultural experiences.” She added that the program is already being offered at Washington Middle, Fletcher Elementary, Bush Elementary, and Southwestern Elementary and Middle schools.

Ms. James, who passed away in 2021, was a member of the Board of Directors of United Way for seven years and served as Board President from 2008-2010. She was one of only four female presidents during the 122-year history of United Way, and the only African American to serve as president to date.

All requests for funding from the Vickye James Blueprint Fund must fall within the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County’s four areas of Strategic Focus: Academic Success, Self Sufficiency, Work Readiness, and Health & Independence.

Applications for funding are accepted on a rolling basis.

For more information, visit uwayscc.org/vickye-james-blueprint-fund.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As a point of transparency and disclosure to our audience, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is a corporate underwriter for WRFA and has provided a financial contribution for the general operations of the station within the past year. Funding we receive for General Operations is not used to fund our coverage of local news in the community. That is only made possible through a Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

YWCA Jamestown’s Broadscast features members of the local YWCA Jamestown team discussing a variety of issues and topics with various guests from the Jamestown and Chautauqua Region.

This episode features Hillary and Kirsten discussing the topic of cervical cancer with OBGYN Jennifer Beason for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

The Broadscast program covers a wide range of topics, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) issues; racial justice and civil rights; empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls; and health and safety of women and girls. It is provided through funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

www.ywcajamestown.com

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

The movie will be shown at 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 16 at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

It features trial lawyer Jeffrey Robinson chronicling racism in America through presentations he has held over the past 10 years across the country.

The film interweaves historical and present-day archival footage, Robinson’s personal story, and observational and interview footage capturing Robinson’s meetings with Black change-makers and eyewitnesses to history.

General admission tickets are $3.90, which includes one ticket and a $.40 donation. Admission at the Ally level is $39.00 which includes four tickets and a $25 donation. And Patron admission is $390.00 which includes eight tickets and a $362.00 donation.

All proceeds support the New Neighbors Coalition of Jamestown Fund held at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, which is used to assist in refugee resettlement in Jamestown.

Also on Monday, January 16, Emmanuel Baptist Church also will be holding a celebration in honor of Dr. King. That service will take place at 4:00 p.m. at the church located on 23rd Street in Jamestown.