The YWCA of Genesee County is thrilled to announce the addition of four outstanding women to its Board of Directors, marking a full board of 13 members. Each of these new members brings a wealth of experience in empowering individuals and serving the community.
Georganne Elia, Board Chair, emphasized the significance of the new members’ backgrounds, "Each of these women brings a unique skill set rooted in empowering others and raising up those in need. From advocacy and justice to supporting vulnerable populations, their collective experience aligns perfectly with the YWCA’s mission. We are excited to have them join us as we continue making an impact in the community."
Diana Prinzi
Diana Prinzi, Program Coordinator for Genesee Justice, has an extensive background in law enforcement, victim advocacy, and working with diverse populations.
Prinzi expressed her enthusiasm for joining the board, stating, “With my background in law enforcement, victim advocacy, and diverse populations, I feel I can be a valuable asset to being a part of the solution. In my daily work, I strive to empower and strengthen women through obtaining justice. I welcome the opportunity to join this group and continue making a difference.”
Anneliese Aliasso
Anneliese Aliasso (Anni), who joined DelPlato Casey Law Firm in June, focuses on transactional real estate and estate planning. She is passionate about diversity certification applications, including the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program, and is eager to contribute to the YWCA of Genesee County.
"I am deeply committed to giving back to the community and helping women in need. Joining the YWCA Board gives me the chance to extend my efforts to uplift and support women facing challenges. I look forward to making a meaningful impact," Aliasso said.
Marianne Lampart
Marianne Lampart (Mare), Vice President of Residential Services for Lifetime Assistance, Inc., has dedicated 27 years to supporting individuals through her work.
Lampart says, “The most rewarding part of my career is the amazing people we support daily. Supporting, encouraging, assisting, and loving these exceptional people is the reason why I started in this field. I will never forget why I am still here — it’s all about them.”
Mare’s dedication to supporting vulnerable populations emulates the YWCA’s vision and purpose, and her passion for advocacy will be an asset in advancing the organization's goals.
Sandy Wojtaszczyk
Sandy Wojtaszczyk, recently retired after 25 years in social services, spent the last 15 years as the supervisor of Child Protective Services. She brings extensive experience in child welfare and family advocacy to the YWCA board.
"Throughout my career, I've seen the impact that community support can have on individuals and families. I am deeply passionate about helping others and am committed to giving back to the community that has given so much to me. Joining the YWCA Board is an incredible opportunity to continue making a difference in people's lives," Wojtaszczyk said.
These four women complete a full board of directors for the YWCA of Genesee County, joining a dynamic leadership team that includes:
Georganne Elia, Board Chair, Community Integration Specialist for Lifetime Assistance, Inc.
Emily Marling, Vice President, Certified Financial Planner for Merrill Lynch
Lauren Casey, Treasurer, Financial Assistant for the Genesee County Economic Development Center
Dr. Emily Fraser-Branche, Pediatrician and Practice Owner for Three Little Birds Pediatrics
Cassandre DiPiazza, Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Veterans Health Administration
Laurie Pfaff, Senior Manager of Marketing Support for Liberty Pumps
Lisa Smith, Senior Employment and Training Counselor for Genesee County Job Development Bureau
Ashlee Reigle, Human Resources Manager for Liberty Pumps
Anita Strollo, Coordinator for Genesee County Business Education Alliance
"We are honored to welcome these talented women to our board," said Jamie Rada, Executive Director of YWCA of Genesee County. "Their dedication to empowering individuals and advocating for justice echoes our agencies purpose and mission. Their collective experience will help drive our organization forward in creating a stronger and more inclusive community."
For more information about the YWCA of Genesee County and its services, please visit www.ywcagenesee.org or contact us at 585-343-5808 or ywca@ywcagenesee.org.
YWCA of Genesee County is excited to announce a $50,000 grant from the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to add Crisis Counseling Services for Genesee County.
YWCA welcomes Jacquelyn Wheeler as their new Crisis Counselor.
Case Managers at the YWCA already offer intensive support, safe temporary shelter, 24 crisis hotline services, court advocacy, information and referral, support groups and safety and transitional planning for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and stalking. This new, full-time crisis counselor position will provide more therapeutic services, complementing the services, complimenting the work we are already doing and adding a much needed piece of continued healing and support for the people we assist, says Jamie Rada, Executive Director.
For more information on the YWCA of Genesee County Crisis Counselor Position please visit www.ywcagenesee.org or contact the YWCA at 585-343-5808 or info@ywcagenesee.org.
YWCA of Genesee County is excited to announce a $50,000 grant from the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to add Crisis Counseling Services for Genesee County.
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York.
Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.
"Case Managers at the YWCA already offer intensive support, safe temporary shelter, 24 crisis hotline services, court advocacy, information and referral, support groups and safety and transitional planning for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and stalking. This new, full-time crisis counselor position will provide more therapeutic services, complementing the services, complimenting the work we are already doing and adding a much needed piece of continued healing and support for the people we assist," says Jamie Rada, Executive Director.
For more information on the YWCA of Genesee County Crisis Counselor Position please visit www.ywcagenesee.org or contact the YWCA at 585-343-5808 or info@ywcagenesee.org.
YWCA of Genesee County is growing! Executive Director, Jamie Rada, announces several new board members carefully chosen to meet the needs of the agency.
“Our community has some incredible resources, agencies, and people. Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel but to work with community members to fill in gaps and assure that there is an intersectionality of services and support for the people we help. We have an amazing team of staff and an incredible, dedicated board," says Jamie Rada, Executive Director.
The Executive Board includes:
Board Chair - Georganne Mott-Lang, Community Integration Specialist for Lifetime Assistance, Inc.
Vice President - Emily Marling, Certified Financial Planner for Merrill Lynch
Treasurer - Shannon Ford, Service Director of Communications and Development for Uconnect Care
Board Members include:
Dr. Emily Fraser Branche, Pediatrician and Practice Owner for Three Little Birds Pediatrics
Cassandre DiPiazza, Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Veterans Health Administration
Chris Fix, retired
Laurie Pfaff, Senior Manager of Marketing Support for Liberty Pumps
Lisa Smith, Senior Employment and Training Counselor for Genesee County Job Development Bureau
Lauren Casey, Financial Assistant for the Genesee County Economic Development Center
Ashlee Reigle, Human Resources Manager for Liberty Pumps
Anita Strollo, Coordinator for Genesee County Business Education Alliance
“Each of these women brings an incredible and unique skillset to the table, allowing us to enter into a period of agency and program growth and development in order to expand our reach and support more people”, says Rada.
The YWCA of Genesee County is pleased to announce the 2024 Women of Inspiration Awards on April 28 from 12:30 - 3 p.m. The event will be held at Batavia Downs, 8315 Park Road, Batavia.
Our Keynote Speaker will be, a multi-award-winning anchor and investigative reporter, Deanna Dewberry. In March 2017, Deanna joined the News10NBC team. Deanna is a strong advocate for women and a four-time cancer survivor.
She is actively involved in community activities that enrich the lives of cancer survivors and women and promote social justice. Her commitment to advocating for her community has been evident throughout her career including stops in Dallas, Indianapolis, Little Rock, and Lubbock.
That advocacy has earned her 12 regional Emmy Awards which included being named the region’s top consumer reporter. “We are so excited to have Deanna join us this year and help us honor some of Genesee County’s most incredible women”, said Jamie Rada, YWCA Executive Director.
Nominations for the prestigious Women of Inspiration Awards are now open. Do you know an inspiring woman? A woman who makes her community a better place to live by going above and beyond for others? A woman who perseveres in the face of challenges and serves as a role model for women and girls? If so please consider nominating her for this years women of inspiration award.
For more information on nominating a deserving woman, event details, and registration, please visit www.ywcagenesee.org.
For Questions, Please Contact the YWCA of Genesee County Office at 585-343-5808.
Submitted photo of Steve Hawley at toy drive announcement.
Press Release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) today announced his December toy drive to help those in need enjoy a magical Christmas. The drive will last from now through December 18.
Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, 121 N. Main St., Suite 311 in Albion, or at the Genesee County YWCA at 301 North St. in Batavia.
Toys for all ages will be accepted but there is a great need for toys for pre-teens and teenagers.
“As we approach the most wonderful time of the year, it's important to remember those less fortunate than ourselves. Many families in our community are struggling to make ends meet, and the thought of providing Christmas gifts for their children seems like an impossible task. But you can help. I'm hosting a Christmas Toy Drive, running from now until December 18, to bring joy and laughter to the homes of those in need. Your generous donations will ensure every child in our community has a Merry Christmas. This year, all toys collected will be distributed to families in need through the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. Together, we can make this Christmas truly special for the children of our community. Thank you for your generosity and support,” said Hawley.
“We are pleased to announce that Jamie Beedham-Rada will be starting the Executive Director position on Monday, October 9. The staff and board are excited to work with Jamie and look forward to growing the programs of the YWCA,” says Board President, Christi Waldron.
Jamie has a Bachelor in Psychology and a Master's in Management from Keuka College. She started her professional career as a Case Manager for the YWCA's Domestic Violence Program in 2005 and feels that it is one of the most rewarding positions she’s ever had. For the past 13 years, her focus has been fundraising, development, and non-profit management.
She comes to the YWCA from Lifetime Assistance, where for the last 10 years she has worked as the Associate Director of Day Services and as the Director of Development. She has been happily married to Ryan Rada for 14 years and they were blessed with their beautiful little boy Aiden, four years ago.
Her personal and professional goal has always been to support and improve the lives of our most vulnerable populations. Whether it is through advocacy, program support or fundraising, she wants her son to know the value of compassion and empathy and wants him to help others, not because he must, but because he wants to.
“I am excited to return to my hometown and work alongside the incredible team at the YWCA and the members of our amazing community. The YWCA is an integral part of Genesee County and I am thrilled for the opportunities that the next few years will bring,” says Beedham-Rada.
Anne Marie Starowitz standing with her ballroom dance teacher, Miss Joy, at the old YWCA in her dyed Communion Dress Submitted by Anne Marie Starowitz
It was 1959, and our mom just dropped my brothers and me off at the YWCA to take our weekly Friday night ballroom dance lesson. The YWCA at the time was a beautiful older home on the corner of Main Street and Summit Street. We would meet in the back in a big room.
Learning to do the jitterbug, cha cha, hully-gully, and probably a waltz was a wonderful memory.
Whenever I hear the song by Elvis Presley, "Return to Sender," I think of that class and learning the double time, break away for the steps to the jitterbug. It was a great time, and my best friend and other students from our school were in the class.
Thank goodness for my classmates; I would have died if I had to dance with one of my brothers.
I also remember you dressed up for your dance class. In my day, if you had made your First Communion and did not have anyone to hand down your dress to, your mom would dye your dress either pink or blue. My dress was blue. That dress would be seen in many photos at family gatherings.
In 1903, a group of women headed by Miss Francis G. Fisher met to organize a local Young Women's Christian Association branch. This was the birth of our YWCA. In 1903, physical welfare was of first importance to the YWCA members, particularly for the younger girls. The second purpose of the YWCA was to provide safe housing for young girls at the YWCA. YWCA on East Main Street was attractive and comfortable, but by 1960, the house on East Main Street needed repairs. In 1968, the new YW was opened on North St.
I also have wonderful memories of the YMCA.
Today, I am 73 years old and in an exercise class called Silver and Fit at the YMCA. I love vintage music, and it is a time I can use those dance skills I learned when I took those ballroom dance classes at the YWCA. As I lifted my three-pound weights and stretched with my resistance band, I remembered learning to swim in the old YMCA swimming pool. I remember a pool in the basement and a room with a window where you could watch the children swim.
During a swim lesson, the teacher encouraged me to jump off the board and promised he would have the hook to help me when I came up from the water. He didn't help me, but I did swim to the side. That was the day I passed my beginner test. The YMCA swimming program had names of various fish as we progressed on the levels.
So here I am in 2023 at the YMCA, using the dance steps I learned at the YWCA in the 60s. I can hear the construction of the new YMCA as I did the Cha Cha to the music of the 60s.
The YMCA was founded in 1889 in the Village of Batavia.
It began on 7 Jackson St., and over the years, it changed many locations. The first one I remember was built in 1913, where the current YMCA is on Main Street. The building today was built in 1975.
As I participate in the Silver and Fit Class, I hear the pounding of our newest YMCA being constructed—an excellent addition to our community for all ages. The YMCA and the YWCA will continue offering programs for all ages, focusing on their particular mission. YMCA of Genesee County is a leading non-profit committed to strengthening the community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people of all ages, and inspiring action in and across communities.
YWCA of Genesee County is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. I could never list all the programs both Y's offer. I am so glad I have participated in many of the programs over the years, along with my children.
Postcards are courtesy of the Holland Land Office Museum. The black-white photo is Anne Marie Starowitz standing with her ballroom dance teacher, Miss Joy, at the old YWCA in her dyed Communion Dress.
Since the announcement last March that the YWCA might be closing its doors, the organization has been rebuilding, reorganizing and refreshing its programs to better serve Genesee County residents.
Hiring Millie Tomidy-Pepper, as the new executive director of the YWCA, was the first and most important step in achieving this goal. With Tomidy-Pepper at the helm, the YWCA has trimmed operating expenses, put the building up for sale, acquired grants, and continued services to participants without interruption.
And it is thanks to the very generous support of so many in the community, that the YW is now able to say that it is operating in the black. Even as we look at the sale of its building, the agency is moving forward with plans for the future.
Establishing a new board of directors is a part of this plan. Newly elected YWCA Board President Eve Hens has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Behavior and is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. She also has an MBA in Management from SUNY Empire State and is the purchasing director for Genesee County.
Board Vice President is Liz Farmer has a Bachelor of Science degree from Houghton College, and a Master of Science degree from Robert’s Wesleyan College. She is a Human Resources consultant for Employer Services Corporation (ESC), and an adjunct professor at her two alma maters.
The YW’s treasurer is Linda Rost, who has a Master of Science degree in Education from SUNY Geneseo. Rost worked with both the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County and the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, and is retired from Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
Serving as secretary to the Board is Lucille DiSanto. With a master's degree in Special Education, SUNY Binghamton, and an Education Administration Degree from Canisius College, DiSanto was a schoolteacher for 28 years, teaching the last 20 years for Batavia City Schools. She is now a substitute teacher for the district, and a member of the Zonta Club of Batavia, where she began the Z-Club of Batavia High School eight years ago.
Ruth Andes has also joined the Board as a director. Andes has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, SUNY Buffalo; Master of Science in Sociology, Southern Illinois University, PhD. in Sociology, University of Hawaii at Manoa. She was a professor of Sociology and Human Services for more than years at Genesee Community College, and was the assistant dean for Assessment and Special Projects for 10 years, also at GCC.
And, its newest director, Lorie Longhany, is a graduate of Le Roy High School. She taught Art at Holy Family School and St. Mary’s School, and is a self-employed art instructor working with diverse adult populations. Longhany is a member of the NYS Democratic Committee and the elected Genesee County Board of Elections commissioner.
The Board of Directors and its dedicated staff will continue to work on strategic planning and fiscal growth, so that it can continue to provide sustainable programs that foster healthy living for women and families in Genesee County communities.
There will be various fundraisers throughout the coming year. Currently the YWCA is running a Cash Raffle with prize money totaling $10,000. Tickets are sold at the YWCA, and by staff and board members. The drawing will be on Dec. 6th, at T.F. Brown’s Restaurant.
A larger fundraiser will be the “YWCA Spring Fest” at Batavia Downs on Sunday, June 9th. This will consist of 130 artisans, crafters, artists, direct sales vendors and food vendors. There will be face painting, people making balloon animals, pony rides and games for the children. Proceeds will go toward the YW’s Domestic Violence Program.
For more information on its programs and services, or fundraising activities, please call the YWCA at (585) 343-5808.
To kick-start physical activity and learning throughout the summer -- a critical out-of-school time for kids -- the Genesee County YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day with a free community event today for kids and families.
It takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. at 209 E. Main St., Batavia, and feature activities such as a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, self-defense demonstration, food tasting, ZumbAtomic for kids, information on NuVal Lions SEE test, DWI Board and fatal vision goggles demonstration. Swimming will be offered until 3 p.m.
Also, the mascot for the Muckdogs will be threre from 2-3 p.m., and there will be giveaways, and more.
They will be collecting old unused eyeglasses for the Lions Club and gently used books and magazines for SAGE.
Summer is the ideal time for kids to get up, get out and grow but for some kids, exposure to activities that stimulate the body and mind ends with the school year. In fact, research shows that kids are more prone to gain weight and fall behind academically over the summer months.
For more information, contact Genesee County YMCA at 344-1664 or visit <http://www.glowymca.org/>.
At its annual meeting this summer, the Genesee County YWCA announced its choice for 2008 Business of the Year and Individual of the Year.
YWCA Program Dicrector Brenda Chapell provided this information about the honorees.
The Rent-A-Center store at 4152 W. Main St. was selected as Business of the Year. Its relationship with the YWCA began some years back when a big screen TV was needed for the public viewing of "Hip Hop: Beyond the Beats and Rhymes." A showing was scheduled at Main Street Coffee and a TV was needed. Rent-A-Center was called out of the blue and the store manager offered to have the TV delivered and arranged pick up afterward. It was a generous donation of time and money.
Rent-A-Center's Dave Harper has also allowed the YWCA to borrow camcorders to record mock interviews during the YWCA’s “Power Up!” program. These recordings are then given to the women in the program and they are able to review their recorded interviews and learn from them. That way, they can fine-tune interview practices to increase their chances of getting a job.
In addition, Rent-A-Center also donates a used laptop for “Power Up!”. The participants are entered in a drawing for the laptop based on their attendance. This is a life-changing gift for one very lucky woman. Even though Harper has since taken some time away from the store, Rick DeFreeze has stepped in as the new store manager and continues the generous and supportive relationship with the YWCA.
The YWCA's Individual of the Year for 2008 is James Soggs. He has been an important link in the YWCA's work with our community. To many, he is best known through the Gospel and Grace program. It is an evening of food, fun and prayer and it is a blessing to all who take part.
Soggs has given of himself for years, organizing youth dances and being active in his church. He is a coach for both youth football and Little League Baseball. He encourages young people to do their best and have a good time doing it. He is a tremendous role model for the youth of our community.
What Soggs does for the YWCA and this community is much more than organizing an event. He brings people together. He bridges the gaps between people from different races and backgrounds. He shows by example what it means to be a good citizen. He shows young people that the way to happiness is doing what you love. He demonstrates what friendship truly means.
