Dear YWCA Family and Supporters,

The YWCA celebrates the contributions and achievements of fulfilling the mission of the organization in eliminating racism and empowering women through direct services and collaborations that are designed to improve the quality of life for women and their families.

With a budget of approximately $7.5 million during FY 07-08, over 75% was committed to programming for children including early childhood learning centers, after school programs and teen programs.

These successes are in celebration of the programs and partnerships that have enabled the agency to expand services to include:

1. Holistic family and child care services at the YWCA's main office in Overtown;

2. Successful collaboration with the 11th Judicial Circuit in serving families attending judicial proceedings in the Family and Criminal Courts;

3. Opening and managing the first public playground built in the Overtown neighborhood in a decade;

4. Partnering with public housing agencies and Lindsey Hopkins Adult Education Center to enhance the training of young YWCA women and men in the field of construction while obtaining their GED;

5. Expanding economic opportunities to assist women and families to improve their financial literacy and participate in matched savings opportunities;

6. Increase the YWCA's reach in breast and cervical cancer education, outreach, and screening for medically under served minority women in Miami-Dade, South Broward, and North Monroe counties; and,

7. Collaborating with Miami-Dade County's Building Better Communities Bond Fund for the construction of a new facility for service expansion to the north Miami-Dade community of Miami Gardens scheduled for 2010.

Throughout our amazing 89-year history, the YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade has never shied away from leading social change - from our earliest days ensuring decent jobs and safe housing for women, to our successful efforts to win women's right to vote and obtain civil rights for all Americans.

Those were the earliest of days, but this day celebrates the contributions and achievements of all members of the YWCA family - our energetic staff, dynamic community supporters, sponsors, and donors as well as the dedicated board of directors and volunteers for whom the YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade shares a great amount of thanks.

With Warm Regards,

Eileen Maloney-Simon, CEO

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