YWCA of Schenectady

Update from YWCA: An amazing contractor came in to save the day and instead of $30,000, YWCA is now looking at a $10,000 to bring their shelter back to life!! Every dollar counts, we can do this!!

Hi everyone!

I'm Jordan Yanatos, owner of Pinup Jordan's Mermaid Lounge in Schenectady. Since connecting with the YWCA in Schenectady, I have seen first-hand their impact and the way they show up for women and families in the community. THEY NEED OUR HELP! I have been working with their team over at their domestic violence shelter for over a year creating a hair salon INSIDE of their shelter for survivors and their children. This safe, sacred, confidential space, powered by volunteer stylists from our area would be the first of its kind in Upstate NY and the ribbon cutting date for all the partners involved had just been added to the calendar in June. Then, the unthinkable happened....

After a season of what seemed like constant rain, we experienced torrential downpours and a failed pump couldn't stop the water from entering the shelter. The largest community space in the shelter and home of the salon, flooded. Now the YWCA is facing a $30,000 bill to get it usable again and their insurance isn't covering it.

A nonprofit like YWCA always quickly pivots and usually has a Plan A, B and C ready to go. But after speaking with them and seeing the space, I can see why they need the community now more than ever. This 137 year old organization is in the process of relocating their Early Learning Center at this very moment and has a large construction project where they are breaking ground in just a short couple of months, building a 54 unit apartment building and renovating their current main campus (point of contact for all services, not the shelter) at 44 Washington Avenue. This unexpected event has now created a need for our COMMUNITY to come forward and help them raise the funds that will repair the damage in the community of the shelter - so please help! I am hoping that all of us can help make this unforeseen project quickly repaired and made whole so all of the families that enter the shelter can begin using this space again and we can OPEN THE HAIR SALON!!

YWCA of Schenectady, NY

YWCA NorthEastern NY is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA NorthEastern NY achieves this mission by providing comprehensive domestic violence support services, affordable housing for low-income and homeless women and families, high-quality accredited early childhood care, economic empowerment solutions, and trauma-informed counseling.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a real impact. Even just a few dollars can help move this mission forward and reach those who need it most.

If you can’t donate right now, sharing this fundraiser is also incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. It means the world to me.

Learn more about their organization here: ywca-neny.org