Branch Projects

Sister-to-Sister Girls' Summit

Now approaching its tenth year, the half-day program for area girls ages 11-14, with an emphasis on developing self-esteem and empowerment, is coordinated with other local organizations and agencies. It features activities, skits, "chat room" discussions and speakers of interest geared to a specific theme each year. S2S now also provides an opportunity for parents to relate to the theme in a concurrent "Parent-to-Parent" session.

S2S is fully sponsored by the participating agencies/ organizations and by contributions. There is no fee for registration. Registration brochures will be available by the end of January at various locations including: Medina General Hospital, Medina County district libraries, the YWCA and participating service agencies, or by contacting project chair Diane Dockrill at ddockrill@adamhmedina.org . Registration must be submitted by the end of February.

The 2008 Sister-to-Sister event was held March 2 at the Medina General Hospital Conference Center from 12 noon - 4:30 p.m. The theme was: "We're All In This Together". The program provided the girls an opportunity to have fun, participate in hands-on activities and interact with each other while focusing on serious topics such as cliques, rumors and cyber safety.

Contributions to sustain this program are welcome. To contribute, send check (made out to YWCA/ Sister-to-Sister), to YWCA of Medina County, 4046 Medina Rd., Medina, OH 44256.

"We can do it!". Girls all manage to break a board with their bare feet and learn that they are stronger than they think (2002).

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Agent of Change

The 2008 Awards Luncheon is scheduled for Thurs. Oct. 23, 12 noon, at River Styx Grill, Blue Heron Golf Club. Reservations are being accepted through Oct. 13. Contact branch treasurer, Cindy Weisheit, cindygolf3265@yahoo.com , or chairperson Carol Cary, ccary@zoominternet.net , or see this website, Branch Activities/ Meetings/ Programs for details. Public invited.

Gwen Rivers Katie Horn Jane Lang

Named as recipients of the 2006 Agent of Change Award, Gwen Rivers, Katie Horn, and Jane Lang were co-founders of the Medina County Women's Endowment Fund. Creation of the Fund has enabled financial support for many projects benefiting women and children.

The Award is given biennially to a resident of Medina County who has been an "agent for positive change on behalf of women and/or children." Candidates must have:

	consistently and effectively used resources, talents and influence to help women and/or children to achieve their potential,
	been a community volunteer or a professional whose achievements went beyond the requirements of the position, and
	accomplished positive change for women and/or children locally, state-wide or beyond.

Previous awardees in Medina County:

2004 -- Michelle Powell, founder of the "Let's Make a Difference" program

2002 ----- Patricia Dempsey, for contributions in the area of children's theater and women's health and welfare

START now! Transitions Conference and

College Resource Day for Women

START now! was a one-day informational event held March 27, 2004, for women who were thinking about making a change in their lives, enhancing their career, or developing new work skills by pursuing a college education or advanced degree.

The conference sought to enable area women to:

	Learn from other women who took the path to higher education as adults,
	Meet with college reps and find out how to apply for financial aid and make the transition easier, and
	Discover how to take advantage of networking and mentoring possibilities, workforce and other resources from community facilitators.

It was sponsored by the Medina County Branch AAUW with cooperation from the Medina County Career Center, Medina County Workforce Development and the Medina County District Library and participating colleges/universities: Walsh University; University of Akron -- Wayne; Cuyahoga Community College -- West; University of Akron Adult Focus, University of Akron Community and Technical College; Indiana Wesleyan University -- Cleveland Education Center, and Stark State College.

Speakers and presenters included: Ruth Porter, Special Needs Coordinator, Lorain Community College; Deborah Gwin, Director, University of Akron Adult Focus; Wendy Cameron, Lisa Earle, Penny Fox, and Linda Radencic.

An on-going mentoring program was established so that those participants interested in support and continuing networking were matched with AAUW members. A "mid-term reunion" was to be scheduled to bring together participants to evaluate progress.

(See photos from event in Photo Album.)

"The best time to plant a tree is 40 years ago; the second best is TODAY" -- Chinese proverb