Page 1: Welcome

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What We Do
YWCA Greater Pittsburghs Center for Race & Gender Equity promotes awareness of
equality issues, educates individuals, and advocates for change in communities
throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The Center supports and promotes the YW's national advocacy agenda and identifies
legislative opportunities (federal, state and local) that advance YWCAs focus areas of
Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women.

Our work includes establishing partnerships with allies and coalitions; engaging
grassroots networks; and hosting community forums, workshops and trainings.

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Who We Are
Our efforts are supported by the work of community partners and the Center for Race
and Gender Equity Community Advisory Committee.
Community Partners

The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is proud to partner with the following community
organizations and leaders:

Carlow University
Center for Victims
Community College of Allegheny County
City Charter High School
The Ellis School
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Civil Rights Division
FISA Foundation
Grow Pittsburgh
Holy Family Academy
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project
Prime Stage Theater Teen Dating Awareness Program
University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University
Pennsylvania State Police
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Womens Center and Shelter

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Center for Race and Gender Equity Community
Advisory Committee

Individuals from diverse sectors including government agencies, non-profit

organizations, corporations, and educational institutions provide advice and feedback
on the Centers community outreach and advocacy work.

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Get Involved
The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh works to influence change and inspire action. We invite
you to join our efforts - Become a Member today!

For more information on getting involved with the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Center for
Race and Gender Equity, contact Program Manager Mell Steven Cosnek
Page 2: Programs and Events
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Stand Against Racism: Raising awareness that racism still exists in our communities
and that it cannot be ignored or tolerated. A nation-wide movement initiated by YWCA in
2008, Stand Against Racism attracts tens of thousands of participants through
community partnerships with more than 60 YWCA Associations. To participate in this
years Stand Against Racism, please contact Mell Steven-Cosnak with the email
headline Stand Against Racism Participation.
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Balance The Scales: An annual networking and educational event focused on
eliminating gender disparities and promoting equity and inclusion. We address
important issues like equal pay and representation for women while promoting
institutions that are diverse. This workshop is for women of all backgrounds to learn how
to serve their community, network, perfect their resume, and find out who is recruiting
for high level positions.
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Week Without Violence: Challenging and inspiring people to bring to life the vision
where all people are free to live with peace, respect, and opportunity. Since its launch in
1995, Week Without Violence has grown from a grassroots initiative to a global
movement with women, men, and children from all fifty states and in more than twenty
countries on six continents. Click HERE to learn more about the YWs National Week
without Violence campaign.
Locally the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh works to assist in raising awareness about
continued violence in local communities and to work empower community members
with violence resolution skills.
To get involved with the Week Without Violence or donate new and unopened toiletries
year round to support local Pittsburgh womens shelters and programs, contact Mell
Steven-Cosnak with the email headline Week Without Violence.
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Racial Justice Awards: Promoting awareness of equality issues, educates individuals,
and advocates for change in communities throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. The
Racial Justice Awards are a yearly celebration of community members working towards
creating a more equitable and just world. Get a quick over view of the Racial Justice
Awards HERE.
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Naturalization Ceremonies: hosting and participating in bi-annual naturalization
ceremonies for incoming American citizens in partnership with the Department of
Homeland Security/USCIS. The history of the United States is a celebration of the
integration and inclusion of diverse immigrants into the fabric of our nation. YWCA hosts
two annual ceremonies, coinciding with the celebration of LGBTQIA Pride and Black
History Months.
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Voter Empowerment and Registration: educating eligible voters about registering to
vote, voting rights, and accessibility. Activities include National Voter Registration Day
advocacy, as well as providing assistance updating and applying for voter registration
and explaining voting laws in regards to upcoming elections.

Click HERE to learn about PA Voter Registration or to get registered.

If you organization is interested in hosting a voting table, contact Program Director Mell
Steven-Cosnak with the email headline Voter Registration Table.
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[include slide show of pictures from past events with appropriate cutlines]
Page 3: Education and Training
Since 1996, the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh has partnered with and provided training for
public, private, and nonprofit organizations throughout the region. In 2016-2017 the
Center for Race and Gender Equity provided educational training to over 4,000
individuals.

The YWs CRGE serves as a community resource on issues of Racial Justice,

Inclusion, and Equity. We are available for focus groups and group facilitation; keynote
addresses and conference presentations; and to develop and deliver training and
technical programs for organizations, schools, and companies.

[insert training video of Chaz/Mell]

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Group Training Resources
- Brochure PDF
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Diversity training & consultation:

Sessions are designed for participants to critically analyze a variety of sociocultural
dynamics that impact diversity and identify strategic opportunities to affect personal,
interpersonal, and institutional growth.

To discuss receiving diversity training or consultation from the YWCAs trained

facilitation staff for your work place, school, or in partnership with an organization ,
please contact Program Director Mell Steven Cosnek.

Diversity programs include, but are not limited to the following areas:

Comprehending Culture
Participants increase their understanding of the impact of culture on intergroup
communication and apply this understanding to their interactions with others. This
includes recognizing how cultural assumptions influence thoughts and actions. It also
includes recognizing some of their own cultural knowledge gaps and the effects of these
knowledge gaps on their interactions with others.

Communication and Culture

Participants understand the various dimensions of identity and apply this understanding
to their thinking and behavior. This includes thinking about experiences that have
consciously and unconsciously shaped their identity, assumptions about other people,
and their world view. Participants will also increase their understanding of the links
between identity and bias, improve effective communication skills/listening, and ask
questions and create an environment for respectful dialogue to interact with others
across cultures.

Cultural knowledge Gap

This will assist participants in identifying their own cultural knowledge gaps and to
explore the effects of these knowledge gaps on their interactions with others. This
understanding provides a useful framework for discussing the need to expand traditional
approaches to education and to examine the ways people from many groups have been
absent or misrepresented in media, in popular culture, and in many curricula. This will
help participants in recognizing some of their own cultural knowledge gaps and the
effects of these knowledge gaps on their interactions with others.

Examining Bias
This encourages participants to consider their opinions about some difficult issues and
to take a stand for their beliefs. This area of focus is meant to provoke self-examination
and reflection and give participants an opportunity to increase their understanding of the
impact of culture on communication and apply this understanding to their interactions
with others.

Former and current clients include (not a full list):

- Center for Victims of Violence - Jumpstart Pittsburgh
and Crime - Leadership Pittsburgh
- Chatham University - North Hills Anti-Racism Coalition
- Ellis School - Peer Support and Advocacy
- Fair Housing Partnership Network
- Federal Executive Board - U.S. Department of Energy
- Gateway High School - University of Pittsburgh
- Global Links - La Roche College
- Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank

What people are saying about our work:

YWCA has played a crucial role in developing a sense of activism in students at Ellis
and keeping students rooted in equity work. Thanks to the accessible mentorship of
Chaz and Mell students successfully organize an annual student diversity summit that
attracts youths throughout the city.
-Cierra Young, The Ellis School

Partnering with the YWCA on various initiatives, particularly the Stand Against Racism,
has provided the CCAC community with valuable insight and perspective into complex
social issues that may not have been gained, if not for the support and guidance of the
incredible staff at the YWCAs Center for Race and Gender Equity.
-Alisha Carter, Civil Rights Investigator, Community College of Allegheny County
Page 3: Advocacy

Educating Individuals
The Center for Race and Gender Equity serves as a community resource on issues of
Racial Justice, Inclusion, and Equity. We are available for focus groups and group
facilitation; keynote addresses and conference presentations; and to develop and
deliver training and technical programs for organizations, schools, and companies.

Advocating for Change

We focus our advocacy work on these public policy areas:

Racial Justice, Inclusion & Equity: civil rights, voting rights; hate crimes: racial
profiling, immigration reform; and race/gender disparities; and other areas of equity and
inclusion
Health & Safety: Violence against women; human trafficking; womens health and
reproductive justice; and other community violence
Economic Empowerment & Education: Equal pay; minimum wage; increasing
womens income; early childhood education; job training/opportunities; and post
secondary education
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Get Involved
ACT NOW and support the YWCA USAs national advocacy campaigns

Locate and contact your local Mayor, County Executives, and other local
government representatives
Locate and contact your state government Governors and Legislators

Locate and contact your national government representatives in the House

and the Senate
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Additional Resources:

Advocacy Resources:
- Racial Profiling community watch checklist
- Racial profiling education system checklist
- YWCA Anti Racism Tool Kit
- Racial Equity Glossary
- The Black Lives Matter Syllabus

Educational Resources:
Video Resources:
- 9 Talks to help you understand racism in America
- 9 Talks to help you understand social justice
- The pursuit of justice (Ted Playlist)
- The power of privilege: Tiffany Jana
- The Unequal Opportunity Race
- Healing from Toxic Whiteness through Love and Justice
- Healing from Toxic Marginalization through Love and Justice
Academic Articles:
- Oppression, by Marilyn Frye
- There Is No Hierarchy of Oppressions by Audre Lorde
- Theoretical Foundations for Social Justice by Lee Anne Bell
- Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression by Andrea Ayvazain
- Allies by Gloria E Anzaldua
- The Cycle of Socialization by Bobbie Harro
- Privilege, Power, and Difference by Alan Johnson
- The Cycle of Liberation by Bobbie Harro
- Defining Racism: Can we talk by Beverly Daniel Tatum
- Mapping the Margin: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against
Women of Color by Kimberle Crenshaw
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack by Peggy McIntosh