Social Justice Film Series

Monday, April 7th marked the first of the YWCA Orange County's Social Justice Series of films shown in partnership with the Downing Film Center in Newburgh. "Banished" shows how American towns in the early part of the 1900's cleansed their population of Blacks. It was disheartening to see film of rocks being thrown at people participating in a peaceful march as late as 1987 because blacks were not welcome in that town. Director Marco Williams also brought up the concept of reparations - should ancestors of blacks who were forced off their land in angry racist rages be financially compensated? What will bring closure? How do we start? The group that stayed to discuss these issues had an intimate, lively, sometimes emotional, conversation. We started....
Further discussion points can be found at http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/banished/getinvolved.html
We'd like to hear from you. Let's talk about opening the wounds of history. What will help these communities heal? Is reconciliation possible? Or reparations? Or both?

Maria Silverman YWCA Volunteer Honored by United Way

Maria Silverman, a long-time volunteer fundraiser for the YWCA Orange County will be honored as the 2008 Marion S. Murphy Neighbors Helping Neighbors Award winner by the United Way of Orange County at a dinner to be held on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at Anthony's Pier 9. Maria's countless hours of service to the YWCA helps us keep our programs running to serve the population of Orange County. The Board of Directors and staff of the YWCA Orange County extends it's gratitude and congratulations to Maria Silverman!

More help for the uninsured

Colorectal Cancer develops in the colon or rectum. It is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. If everyone age 50 and older had regular colorectal cancer screening tests, more that one third of deaths could be avoided.
The Healthy Women Partnership of Orange County can now provide information on screening for colorectal cancer. If you have no insurance, are 50 years or older, you need to be screened, and we can help you. Contact the Partnership at 845-561-8050 for eligibility requirements.