March – April 2025 

March Birthdays

1  Shelby Gayer
1 Mary R Rogers 
2 Dr. Tameka Donaldson 
3 Ryan Kennedy 
3 Lauren Richelle Clark 
3 Catherine Alicia Palmer 
6 Mariah Cox 
8 Fathi Mohamed 
9 Danielle Boyd 
10 Yvonne McBroom 
11 Jacqueline Johnson 
11 Ashlee Dawn Wilkins 
14 Sparkil-Lynn Alli 
15 Michelle A Chapman 
18 Joanna Poindexter 
19 Riley McHale 
19 Teresa Woods
20 Juliet Lewis 
20 Sydney Shaye Wilson 
21 Anita Rastogi 
26 Ashley Li 
30 Carrie Hacker 
31 Roberta Jean Romito 

April Birthdays  

1 Michelle Chieffo 
1 Ashley Nimer 
1 Jae’ana Mari Willis 
2 Gianna Renee Deanley 
2 Maame Owusu-Yeboah 
3 Betty C. Rickabaugh 
8 Cheryl A Glenn 
11 Destini Bailey-Leavell 
14 Margaret Kyalo 
14 Jessica Cutler 
16 Payton Meador 
21 Christina Walls 
23 Frances Rene Call 
28 Marylyen Jimenez-Ayala 
30 Jonesha McClain 

March Anniversaries  

1 YEAR
Manuel Baeza 
Loryn Rosenblum Bunker 
Tamara Renee Jamison 
Tamika Pierce 
Shakira Womack 

2 YEARS 
Makiva McIntosh 
Craig Alexander Hylton 
Pamela Wilson  

3 YEARS 
Phyl Flanagan 
Rachelle Harvey 

4 YEARS 
Frederick Mills
Montavious Cowart  

10 YEARS 
Kenneth Yahnke  

16 YEARS 
Elaine Colna 

April Anniversaries  

2 YEARS 
Gabriella Caroselli

12 YEARS  
Nancy Conkel

21 YEARS 
Beverly Gyure

Welcome to the following teammates who joined the YWCA family in January and February:  

  • Margaret Kyalo, Program Assistant 

  • Ivelisse Cupid, Family Advocate  

  • Selena Angelica Flores-Mora, Program Assistant 

  • Fathi Mohamed, Program Assistant  

  • Bryan Rankins, Program Assistant 

  • Cynthia Toler, Program Assistant 

  • Charles Lee Watterson, Program Assistant  

  • Alessia Ross, Foundation & Corporate Grants Admin 

  • Tamilee Marie Ricketts, Program Assistant 

  • Ashley Nimer, Program Assistant 

  • Meagan Ward, 21ST CENTURY TUTOR 

  • Ashlee Dawn Wilkins, Family Support Specialist 

  • Raymond Arman Founder, Program Assistant 

  • Awa Sumereh, Program Assistant 

  • Nicholas Gouch, Program Assistant 

  • Nastah Hashi, Site Director 

  • N'Jai Denise Alaina Davis, Program Assistant 

Team Announcements + Updates

  • Dayzieane Dure has joined the Education Team as an intern and will be supporting the Education Department with data collection. Welcome to the team, Dayzieane! 

  • Ericka McFarland has transitioned from Program Assistant to Site Director at McVay Elementary. Congratulations, Ericka! 

  • Congratulations to Clyde Watson, recognized by Columbus City Council during Essential Workers Week for his dedication to serving Columbus residents. A well-deserved honor!

  • In 1886, five women founded what would become YWCA Columbus, providing shelter for working and stranded girls while housing one of the city’s first kindergarten programs. This month, we’re highlighting our impact through a social media and email campaign, plus displays on Orange Barrel Media’s IKES across the city—keep an eye out! More information on WHM can be found here.

  • As the You Belong In This Fight campaign wraps up this month, we reflect on the impact of YWCA Columbus in our community. In these uncertain times, we remain deeply rooted in our mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Through our various service areas, we continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. 

    Our social media and email campaign highlights how your support—through time, voice, or donations—helps us move our community boldly forward. Learn more here!

  • We're thrilled to welcome Junior Achievement to our YKP summer camps! They’ll be teaching youth leadership development, empowering our campers with valuable skills for the future.

  • Registration for Kids Place Summer 2025 officially opened on March 3rd at 10 AM. Spread the word to anyone you know looking for a fantastic summer program!

  • We're honored to receive a $10,000 grant from Encova on February 19th! This generous support includes $5,000 for Women of Achievement and $5,000 for YKP Scholarships, helping us make a greater impact. Thank you everyone involved in securing this funding! 

  • Round 1 pitches have been filmed at YWCA Kids Place sites, and now it's time for Round 2! Online community panel judging runs from March 4–11. The final three pitches will be filmed, and a social media contest will take place in March/April—stay tuned! 

    Check out the Education Department's Guppy Tank page here!

  • You can make a difference by volunteering at the YWCA Family Center! Help support residents by serving meals in our kitchen or organizing and distributing essential donations. 

    Contact Alexa Molitor to reserve a service opportunity. 

  • If you know anyone who would be a good fit for the following roles, please refer them to HR! 

    • Education Part-time Program Assistants 

    • Front Desk & Engagement Coordinator (Griswold Building)  

    • Family Center Shift Supervisor

    As a reminder, employees who refer candidates for vacant roles are eligible for a $500 bonus (if the candidate is hired and upon completion of their probationary period). For additional information about these positions, please refer to ywcacolumbus.org/jobs or Indeed.

Save the Date

  • YWCA Columbus honors the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a time to reflect, give, and strengthen community bonds. We invite you to join us in embracing the values of this sacred time.

  • Registration for YWCA Kids Place Summer Program opens on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. Our YWCA Columbus Kids Place Summer Day Camp will run from June 2 to July 25, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each weekday. Be sure to mark your calendar! 

  • Danielle Boyd and Aliyah Hiram, members of the Leadership & Social Justice team, will lead a session on Racial Equity Foundations & Applications, focusing on child welfare for Franklin County Children Services. The session will take place on Wednesday, March 5, at 10 a.m.

  • For the first time, YWCA Columbus will host a Vendor Marketplace at our 40th Annual Women of Achievement Luncheon. If you know of anyone who owns a women-led, diverse local business, urge them to apply. Application deadline is Friday, March 7.

  • Join us in celebrating the achievements of women at Central Ohio's International Women's Day, themed #AccelerateAction. The event, held at the Ohio History Connection, will feature engaging speakers, a panel discussion, and a networking reception. More information here.

  • For 40 years, YWCA Columbus has proudly celebrated extraordinary leaders who embody the essence of women’s empowerment, honoring the courage, compassion, and dedication of those driving meaningful change in our Columbus community and beyond. This year’s luncheon will be at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in the Battelle Grand Ballroom on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. 

YWCA Columbus in the News

Nearly five dozen advocacy groups, including YWCA Columbus, have signed a letter opposing the Ohio House rules for this General Assembly. The letter protests a ban on public gatherings near the House chamber at certain times and a reduction in public notice for floor votes. Read more here.

Our president & CEO, Elizabeth Brown, joined a Columbus Metropolitan Club luncheon panel on shrinking safety nets. Listen to the full conversation courtesy of WCBE. 

ABC6 and Fox 28 recently highlighted YWCA Columbus' announcement of our 2025 Women on the Rise honorees. We are so excited to celebrate these amazing leaders! 

YWCA Columbus Honored with Diversity in Business Award!

We’re proud to be recognized by Columbus Business First in the 2025 Diversity in Business Awards, celebrating organizations that champion inclusivity in Central Ohio. Honorees will be featured in the March 21 issue and online that week. Winners will be honored during a happy hour reception on March 20 at the Columbus Museum of Art!

Looking for the last issue of YWConnect? Read YWConnect January - February 2025 here.