Genesee County YWCA

Press Release:

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.

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.

Press Release:

“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. 

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. 

Press release:

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.

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.