About Us
Advancing social justice since 1895
Who We Are
The YWCA Delaware is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth and to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to empower women and families, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
The YWCA is proud to be one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the United States, providing services for women and their families in our community.
Our local programs and services have furthered the YWCA vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people since 1895. Over the past 129 years, programs have evolved and have included educational and employment classes for women, teen workshops, community dialogue groups to discuss race relations, a domestic violence and sexual assault crisis response center, and community housing programming.
Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.
YWCA MISSION
See us in action ↘
What We Do, Career Development, YWCA Delaware
Community Impact ↘
YWCA Delaware serves women, men and children of all ages, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. In 2022, nearly 9,000 individuals participated in our comprehensive programs throughout Delaware.
100%
of households participating in YWCA's Community Housing program maintained independent housing after assistance ended.
94%
of households enrolled in YWCA Delaware's Financial Empowerment and Homewnership program improved their finanical health.
95%
of survivors who received YWCA's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence support felt supported, empowered and in control of decision-making during recovery.
94%
of youth graduating YWCA's Emergence programs increased their self-esteem and sense of purpose.
89%
of formerly homeless families residing in YWCA's Home-Life Management Center became self-sufficient and position for upward mobility.
94%
of households in default or experiencing a foreclosure crisis achieved positive resolutions through YWCA's Financial Empowerment program.
97%
of participants enrolled in YW's Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) program increased their understanding of systemic racism and the inequities it creatses. 76% of RSJ participatns felt empowered to engage in ongoing actions to effect eliminating racism in their own communities.
100%
of our workforce training clients enhanced employability skills.
Our Team
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Melissa Gonville
Chief Executive Officer
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Candice Buchanan, MPA
Chief Programs and Development Officer
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Robin Mandell
Chief Financial Officer
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Elizabeth N. McCourt, JD
Chief Health and Safety Officer
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Lisa Forever, LMSW, MSCJ
Chief Housing Officer
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Darlene Backelman
Chief Human Resources Officer
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Becca Cotto
Director of Racial and Social Justice
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of women leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for YWCA Delaware.
Officers
Karen L. Smith, President
Senior Manager Information Security, TD Bank
Carolann Wicks, President-Elect
CDW Consulting – Self Employed
D’Veda Mitchell, CSP, VP Board Resource
Operational Excellence and Early Career Talent Lead, DuPont
Shefali Shah, Treasurer
Managing Director, Digital Transformation, JP Morgan
Diliana Henry, BCBA Assistant Treasurer
CEO at BrightBloom
Sandra T. Johnson, Secretary
Senior Attorney Editor at Thomson West
Judy Pappenhagen, Fund Development
Manager, Strategy and Planning, ChristianaCare
Pamela Hill, Co-chair, Fund Development
Founder/CEO, G&J Delaware Homes, LLC
Patricia Grant, Co-chair, Board Resource
Senior Manager Information Technology, DuPont
Directors
Colette Daney, Account Executive, MiniFIBERS
Micha Graves, Americas Service Delivery Senior Leader at DuPont
Sherray Hoggard, Senior Vice President at JPMorgan Chase
Crystal Hudak, Sr. Information Security Specialist at TD
Tira Johnson, Chief Administrative Officer, Global Capital Markets – Wilmington Trust
Jeanine Kilgore, MPH, MSW, VP, Population Health & Clinical Operations, Delaware First Health
Nikkia Squires, Esq., Senior Counsel, ChristianaCare
Renna Van Oot, JD, MSS, MLSP, CEO, Jewish Family Services
Honorary Members
Pam Smith Finkelman, Retired/Marketing Communications
A. Leslie Stanford, PhD, Retired, DuPont Co.
Key Dates in YWCA History
Annual Reports
YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, and we’re committed to accountability and transparency in everything we do. Below you will find resources that illuminate our financial position, outline how we allocate our resources, and showcase the impact of the valuable support from our donors and sponsors. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we welcome your support of our mission!
2023
Coming Soon!
YWCA Delaware
3-Year Strategic Plan
2024 - 2026
Throughout our history, YWCA has been at the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations, labor union representation and the empowerment of women. YWCA Delaware operates as an independent 501(c)3.
YWCA Delaware has a strong commitment to these signature platforms. We’re exploring our potential to increase impact by expanding where services are most crucial:
Housing Security
Economic Empowerment, including Youth Development
Health and Safety
Racial and Social Justice and Advocacy
Strategic Priorities
for 2024 to 2026 ↘
Infuse all activity of the organization with a racial and social justice lens
Evaluate the opportunity to further improve housing security
Expand the value of, and community engagement in, our advocacy efforts
Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization
Improve technology and data infrastructure to increase capacity and efficiency
Enhance the organizational culture
Optimize the Board of Directors’ effectiveness
FAQs
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YWCA Delaware receives referals from YWCA Delaware's Centralized Intake and from YWCA Delaware's Sexual Assault Response Center. If you are homeless or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless, call Delaware’s Centralized Intake by dialing 1-833-346-3233.
If you need domestic violence or sexual assault supportive counseling, medical and legal accompaniment, access to support groups, as well as information and referrals to our vital services, please call our 24/7 SARC helpline at 800-773-8570.
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YWCA Delaware's "SCHE" (Safe, Compassion, Heal, Empower) Joint Transitional Housing and Rapid Re-Housing program offers survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence with personalized service plans and resources to achieve housing stability.
YWCA works to rapidly re-house homeless women and families and provides financial assistance, comprehensive case management, and support services to assist women and families in becoming economically and residentially stable and self-sufficient in permanent housing. Services may include but are not limited to community housing, case management, access to food, wellness and nutrition workshops, and clothing, workforce readiness training, medical/legal accompaniment, financial housing assistance, financial coaching, therapeutic services, access to legal, medical and mental health services, and transportation services. YW assists in developing tailored Housing Service Plans that offer financial resources and internal/external support services, including searching for safe and affordable housing, employment, life skills and enrichment training, and participating in state-sponsored training programs. RRH participants also receive evaluations for benefits and housing, including purchase of care – early childhood and after-school education, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicare, and SNAP. "SCHE" Joint Transitional and Rapid Re-Housing program participants are responsible for contributing financially to their households while maintaining continued access to YW’s support services.
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YWCA Delaware's Diversion program prevents homelessness for families by assisting them to identify alternate housing arrangements that diverts them from entering the homeless management system. Case management and financial assistance is available for up to 3 months to support families so they can retain stable housing and eliminate episodes of homelessness.