Pictured Laura Thrall, the CEO of the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago.The YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago is the oldest women-focused social-service organization in the city, having been founded in 1876. Last year, the agency helped to empower more than 120,000 people in 13 locations through multiple programs that aid mostly women in areas of sexual violence and support; child care and provider services; and economic empowerment.
However, all that most people know about the organization is that it helps women or has health clubs; most do not know exactly how it runs or who can benefit from its services. The YWCA is attempting to remedy that problem with a media push that will hopefully bring attention to its services from those who need it.
Laura Thrall, CEO of the organization, described the agency's services:
— Sexual Violence and Support Services: Thrall told Windy City Times that among its services in this area are a 24-hour anonymous rape crisis hotline and associated counseling. 'We do this for those in acute situations,' she said. 'We make sure that the victim is treated the way they should be, regarding rape kits, etc.' She said the YWCA also helps with the legal aspect, should the victim wish to press charges ( or wish to decline ) and provide 'post-traumatic stress counseling.' She added that there is also a program for child victims of sexual violence ( of both genders ) —and for male victims as well.
— Child Care and Provider Services: The YWCA features several programs, including early learning services; licensed full-day and after-school child care; home-based child care provider support; subsidy services; and a food program.
— Economic Empowerment Services: These services are aimed at preparing girls and young women to be successful in the workplace. The program offers skills training and counseling in areas ranging from financial literacy to technology. 'We expect this program to expand dramatically over the next few years,' Thrall said. There is also a Future Leaders program as well as one for young parents, in which girls and young women receive pre- and post-natal support and education. However, one of the primary requirements of the latter class is that the girls do not become pregnant again. 'Having one baby as a teen is one thing; having two really limits your opportunities in life,' Thrall commented.
Thrall added that the organization has also been committed to confronting racism. 'It is something that unites us across the nation and across the world. ... What we're trying to do is take areas where we have a locus of control or competence and do what we can within our arena. For example, in the area of sexual violence, we're certainly aware of the impact that race has on rape—including how it's perpetrated, what happens in the judicial system and how people look at it socially. So we develop and facilitate our programs through the lens of understanding that an Asian woman, an African-American woman or a white woman who lives on the North Shore will have different levels of experience, including with the medical and legal systems. So we try to ensure that all women or men or children will have the same access to services.'
Although the child care centers are spread out pretty evenly ( and some centers offer all three services ) , Thrall said that the YWCA is 'currently evaluating how to deliver services. Because of the city's gentrification, the CHA transformation has blown out communities of poverty and we're trying to find those people to see how we can still serve them.' The CEO added that the organization is looking at two things: 'are we where we need to be and how to serve those on the lowest rung of the economic ladder if they are not where we traditionally served.'
As for the YWCA's own financial stability, Thrall is sanguine but hardly complacent. 'We as an agency are in a strong position because we have a large reserve, but we're working to reduce our reliance on government funding by building up our private-sector funding,' she said. 'The challenge for all agencies like ours is to convince the philanthropic community that social-service agency funding is no longer within the purview of the federal government. Chicago needs to pony up because we are an important part of the infrastructure of the health of the city—and if we go away, things are not going to be so pleasant. I think that message is getting through.' Thrall conceded that getting the funding is the most difficult part of her job: 'We have to market ourselves to an audience that feels 'It's great that we have the YWCA to take care of that. It's not our problem.''
The YWCA is also involved with the LGBT community. 'We have a program in Uptown that's specifically LGBTQ,' the CEO said. However, she is looking to expand the agency's services beyond the North Side: 'The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault [ which provides a lot of the organization's funding ] asked us to reach out to communities that are underserved so our satellite agency for the [ gay ] community is in Uptown. However, obviously there are lesbian and gay people everywhere ... so we're looking at having counselors sensitive to the [ LGBTQ community ] and ethnicities across the board.' Thrall also pointed out that the YWCA partners with organizations such as Howard Brown and the Center on Halsted.
With everything going on, Thrall knows and appreciates the impact that the organization has had on women. 'It's nice to know that we're really making a difference and that we're not just giving lip service,' she noted.
The YWCA will hold its Leader Luncheon on Oct. 20 in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Regency Hyatt, 151 E. Wacker, at noon. Among the honorees are Jacqueline Triche Atkins, executive director of Museums in the Park; Penny Pritzker, president of the Pritzker Realty Group; and Khem Nuth, lead organizer of the Coalition of African, Asian, European and Latino Immigrants of Illinois.
Call ( 312 ) 762-2743; or see the Web site www.ywcachicago.org .
