The spirit of the YWCA

The spirit of the YWCA
EDITOR:
We recently received an anonymous note from someone who was seriously unhappy with the recent changes at the Warren YWCA.
The letter asked why, if the building has closed, should anyone to believe the YWCA still exists. It suggested that the YWCA only exists on paper and asked what we, "a bunch of old ladies," expect to prove.
This is a legitimate question. For many, the YWCA was the building. So, with the building closed, how can the YWCA exist? My counter to that is that the YWCA is so much more than just a building -- the YWCA is what happened inside the building. It is an idea of what girls and women can be -- and that can continue anywhere.
The YWCA has been part of Warren for 90 years. We grew with the town and at one time had the largest membership in Ohio. Of course, that was more than 30 years ago, when the economy was booming and the YWCA actually returned part of its United Way funding. Then the economy changed, the mills closed, Delphi and GM are a shadow of what they were, volunteers disappeared as women went to work, donations to the United Way dropped, and every corner had a women's fitness studio on it.
Simply put, the YWCA was spending over 60,000 every month to keep the building open and only bringing in a little over 30,000 in donations and fees. In trying to keep the building open, the YWCA began to emphasize the bottom line over the mission. Changes had to be made.
The decision to close the building was hard, but it was made so the association could continue. And continue it has. Moving from emphasizing physical fitness, the board has refocused on the mission: to empower women and girls and eliminate racism. Working with eight agencies, including ACOP and the Girl Scouts, the YWCA launched a pilot program, "Bee the Change," designed to encourage young women to value education and to achieve and succeed in their lives. Additional programs in development cover the spectrum from a book club to the Children's Olympics to a women's resource center, working with the Trumbull County Family Court, which will focus on the unmet needs of our community's women.
What do we expect to prove? Just what YWCAs have proved around the world -- women, supported and empowered by knowledge and skill, can accomplish anything to which they set their minds.
You ask who will donate to the YWCA? I will. In 1955, my mother enrolled me in my first class at the Warren YWCA -- Tiny Tot's Trot. More than 50 years later, I still believe in the mission and will support the YWCA during this exciting time of change. I invite everyone to join us in building the "new" Warren YWCA.
LYNN L. MILLER
Former Executive Director
YWCA of Warren
Warren
Be a guardian, not an owner
EDITOR:
We do not "own" animals. We are the guardians and we have a moral responsibility to make sure they are protected during their time on earth.
This means we accept responsibility for their needs -- food, clean water and protection, even from themselves.
Dogs are attracted to chocolate, but we know that it can kill them, therefore, it is our moral obligation to protect them. "Dogs and cats should run free outside." This misconception is also life threatening. Traffic, poison and chemicals surround us, and the animals do not know how to fend for themselves with cars, careless humans and other animals.
A beautiful, friendly, loving long-haired cat, has been seen around the neighborhood for months, and visited many homes. She wanted to come inside and be loved. She had a flea collar, no tags, and some fur mats had been attended to. Someone, probably with good intentions, allowed her to run free. Her quest ended a week ago Saturday afternoon. A car brutally ended her life. She never stood a chance. She did not have a guardian.
If you want to own an animal, try a Beanie Baby. If you want to be a guardian, do not allow your animal to face the dangers of this world without your protection. Spay, neuter and do not allow them to run free.
PATRICIA A. TURK
Boardman
Don't risk driving drunk
EDITOR:
I am a 15-year-old student from Jackson-Milton High School. I am writing about how there's a lot of drunken driving car wrecks and how people are getting killed.
I have noticed that more and more people are killed by drunken drivers. Even drinking a small amount of alcohol increases the chances of having a car or motorcycle accident. There is a legal amount of alcohol you can have in your system while driving. It is 0.08 percent if driving a car, and if you are a truck driver it would be 0.04 percent of alcohol.
The reason drinking leads to accidents is that alcohol is a depressant, so it slows down the brain and the body reactions. Younger people react differently than adults do from alcohol. With more alcohol, they develop low blood sugar, breathing difficulties, fits and also could go in a coma. It will take less alcohol to kill a young person than an adult.
There are a lot of people who go out to bars and drink a lot and they take the risk to drink and drive. They should call a friend or a taxi. They shouldn't risk their lives or the lives of others.
TRACIE CALVIN
North Jackson
Just another statistic
EDITOR:
Well after seeing numerous accidents in Hubbard, Ohio, at the Flying J entrance, I have become a statistic.
How many accidents have to occur before the state finally realizes that this is a dangerous intersection? Please take the time to consider a traffic light at this location before more accidents, injuries and death occur. Also consider a light at state Route 7 and Route 62, this is another dangerous intersection as well.
MICHAEL MURRIN
Sharpsville
A memorial well done proud
EDITOR:
I want to thank all the dedicated volunteers and all those who contributed in anyway to make the dream of a Veterans Memorial in North Jackson a reality.
These people worked many hard long hours in the sun, cold and rain. It is a beautiful tribute to all our service men and women who have sacrificed their lives so we can be free.
God bless you and God bless America.
BARBARA NICHOL
North Jackson