News
September 7, 2022YWCA NorthEastern NY Awarded Purple Ribbon Award
DomesticShelters.org announced YWCA NorthEastern NY (YWCA NENY) as a 2022 Purple Ribbon Award winner for Outstanding Youth Initiative. The awards are given to organizations dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence. They are judged by a national panel of respected professionals from the domestic violence field and awarded across 28 categories. 2022 marks the second year of the Purple Ribbon Awards, presented by Theresa’s Fund, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates DomesticShelters.org.
YWCA NENY’s programs for youth include Help Save the Next Girl, Coaching Boys into Men, Athletes as Leaders, Healthy Relationships, Guyanese Girls Empowerment Group, Conflict Resolution, and Anger Management. The YWCA NENY team members who work with the youth of Schenectady include Sarah Caterina, LCSW-R, Epiphany McGee, LMSW, Reshma Loaknauth, LMHC, and Katrina Garcia. With the help of YWCA NENY allies, this team works hard to better existing and create new programs and groups for the youth in Schenectady County. These programs are supported by Schenectady County Schools and local organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady.
“We are so honored to be recognized for the work we do in our efforts to prevent family violence”, said Sarah Caterina, LCSW-R, YWCA NENY Director of Clinical Services and Community Engagement. “The support of organizations like DomesticShelters.org and our local community means we are able to continue this important work empowering girls and boys to become healthy adults.”
“From a young age I knew that I wanted to be a support to youth in the same way that trusted adults were a support to me in my adolescence,” said Epiphany McGee, LMSW, YWCA NENY Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator and Mental Health Clinician. “As a lifelong resident of Schenectady, I often see myself and old friends in the faces of today’s youth. I am honored and grateful to not only have the opportunity to do this work, especially in this community, but to be recognized for our efforts. On behalf of the YWCA and the youth that we serve, thank you.” For more information on YWCA NENY’s teen and youth programs, please visit www.ywca-neny.org/teen-youth-programs/.
The Purple Ribbon Awards are the first comprehensive awards program honoring the countless heroes of the domestic violence movement, including advocates, programs, shelters, survivors, and members of the community support system. Winners include entries from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
