SPRINGFIELD — The board of directors of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts recently elected three new members: Dawn Fleury, Kiana Lowe, and Mollie Sullivan.

Dawn Fleury

Fleury, who joins the board as treasurer and will serve on the executive committee, brings more than 35 years of experience in finance. Currently serving as first senior vice president of Corporate Risk at Country Bank, she oversees the bank’s comprehensive risk management programs. Prior to her 14-year tenure at Country Bank, she had a 21-year career with the FDIC as a commissioned senior bank examiner in the Division of Supervision.

“The work that the YWCA is doing to support women and children who are at risk or who are victims is so important in assisting to break the horrible cycle of abuse and violence,” Fleury said. “I view joining the board as an amazing opportunity to give back to the community.”

Kiana Lowe

Lowe brings nearly 10 years of experience in communications and development to the YWCA board. Currently serving as the Marketing & PR manager of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, she creates and manages the communications and content for the Hall of Fame’s overall marketing and public relations, social media, and website. She previously worked as the Communications coordinator as well as senior fan engagement coordinator for ESPN.

“Growing up in Springfield, I understand firsthand how important advocacy, support, and opportunity are for women and families,” Lowe said. “The YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace and justice deeply reflects the kind of progress I want to be a part of.”

Mollie Sullivan

Sullivan brings 25 years of experience in the human services field, working with a vulnerable population like the residential guests and community-based clients served by the YWCA. She is currently the social services counselor II for Health Care for the Homeless at Mercy Medical Center. In that role, she provides individualized and group behavioral and mental health outreach and direct programmatic services to adolescents and adults. Additionally, she provides counseling, crisis intervention, and support to patients and ensures referrals to care and services.

“Social justice, empowerment, and the leadership of women have been cornerstones of the work I have been so passionate about for my whole professional career,” Sullivan said. “Working with women, families, and community leaders to end homelessness, social inequities, and disparities starts in our own communities, and the YWCA has been on the front lines of this work for decades and continues to be a leader in this work.”

YWCA of Western Massachusetts CEO Elizabeth Dineen noted that “these outstanding and accomplished women have joined the board during a pivotal time for the YWCA, as we launch our comprehensive, $7.5 million ‘Shifting the Paradigm’ campaign. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will be crucial to the success of this campaign and the overall success of the YWCA.”

SPRINGFIELD — The YWCA of Western Massachusetts recently held a room dedication ceremony and reception for a beloved former employee, Rosalind Jackson, who retired earlier this year after being with the organization for six years as a direct service advocate for its Domestic Violence Shelter Services (DVSS).

In that role, “Ms. Ros,” as she was affectionately known at the YWCA, worked directly with the women and children residing in the shelter. Last July, she was honored in Employee Spotlight, a monthly feature recognizing employees nominated by their peers.

“Ms. Ros is a force of nature who left an indelible mark on the YWCA before retiring earlier this year — full of energy, immensely kind, determined, and a joy to be around,” said Elizabeth Dineen, CEO of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts. “Jackson was the biggest champion for her clients, and she wasn’t afraid to dole out tough love when necessary — which only endeared her more to the residents she served. Thank you, Ms. Ros, for your years of remarkable service to the YWCA. Enjoy your well-earned retirement.”

The room dedication was commemorated with a plaque reading: “In honor of Rosalind ‘Ms. Ros’ Jackson. A steady voice, a kind heart, and a fierce advocate for all. Ms. Ros gave the YWCA her wisdom, warmth, and honesty — always lifting others with dignity and care. Her legacy is woven into the walls of this shelter, the spirit of its guests, and in the hearts of her colleagues.”

YWCA staff, past and present, as well as shelter residents, were present to christen the room in Jackson’s honor.

SPRINGFIELD — The YWCA of Western Massachusetts announced it recently received $10,000 from Liberty Bank to support its mission.

This donation will be used to help fund the YWCA’s “Girls Count” financial empowerment program. The grant will help girls and young adults learn to budget their money and create conditions of success for a more financially secure future.

“By empowering women and girls, we empower future generations,” said Elizabeth Dineen, CEO of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, adding that the organization is appreciative of Liberty Bank’s commitment to helping build a bright financial future for the girls, teens, and women the YWCA serves.

Founded in 1868, the YWCA of Western Massachusetts is guided by its founding principle to provide shelter, support services, and tools for self-sufficiency for women and girls in the community.

SPRINGFIELD — Kim Casineau, board chair of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, announced that the YWCA Golf Tournament will be held at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield on Monday, May 6, with registration now open online at ywworks.org.

Proceeds of the charity golf tournament will support the Children Who Witness Violence program, which offers therapy for children who have witnessed or experienced abuse and violence. The Healthy and Empowering Relationship Education program of the YWCA, which helps Springfield middle- and high-schoolers learn about healthy relationships and friendships, will also benefit from proceeds raised at the tournament.

According to Casineau, the organizer of the event, “the leadership work the YWCA is doing in addressing domestic and sexual violence is critically important. These two youth-oriented programs are providing much-needed support and resources in our community. I encourage all who are interested in supporting our event to contact me at [email protected] or register on the website. We need golfers, cash donations, and donations for our raffle. My goal is to raise awareness to all the great work the YWCA does for our community in a fun way. Please join us on May 6 in support of these very worthy programs.”

Cost per golfer to participate in the tournament is $155, which includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner, and a quarter-zip jacket. There will be a raffle and cash bar at the country club. Individuals or organizations interested in registering or sponsoring the event can visit ywworks.org.

Headquartered in Springfield, the YWCA also provides services and offers programming to children and women in crisis in Northampton, Westfield, Belchertown, and Holyoke.

SPRINGFIELD — In a typical year, prior to and up to the Christmas holiday, Greater Springfield residents bring toys, books, puzzles, games, and new clothing for children, as well as clothes and personal-care items for adults, who are residents of one of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts’ four residential and 20 community-based programs. This past year, the organization experienced an unprecedented wave of donations. The third floor of the YWCA’s administrative building on Clough Street is filled to the rafters with donations.

The YWCA campus on Clough Street hosts an emergency domestic-violence shelter, transitional housing apartments, a teen residential program, as well as programming to support adult and child survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking. The YWCA made no formal request for donations during the holiday season, yet thousands of donations were dropped off and continue to stream into the organization. The overwhelming amount of generous donations will be given to survivors throughout the next year. The vast array of donated items will be put to use in support of survivors, many of whom escape violence with only the clothes on their back.

“There’s really no rhyme or reason for this outpouring of donations other than the incredible generosity and goodwill of people who live in our region,” said Elizabeth Dineen, CEO of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts. “Area churches, colleges, clubs, sports teams, women’s organizations, businesses, hospitals, fraternities, sororities, high schools, day-care organizations, libraries, book clubs, and extended families are responsible for this remarkable uptick of donations.

“There are likely many factors influencing the public to support survivors,” she went on, noting in particular an awareness of the increase in domestic violence and displacement of survivors that spiked during and since the pandemic. “Additionally, there is an increased awareness that human trafficking exists in our region and survivors of human trafficking deal with its traumatic aftermath for years after they escape their trafficker. The more information that the public has about these types of abuse, the more people want to help.

“I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from our community and want to thank every individual, organization, and group who made donations,” Dineen added. “Those who we serve deeply appreciate the community’s generosity, kindness, and support more than words can adequately express. The YWCA is so grateful for the ongoing support from this amazing community in which we do this vital work every day.”

Headquartered in Springfield, the YWCA also provides services and offers programming to children and women in crisis in Northampton, Westfield, Belchertown, and Holyoke.