Stacy Ellington - YWCA of Lake County
Stacy Ellington
YWCA of Lake County
https://www.ywcalakecounty.org/
847-662-4247
Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber: Tell us about the YWCA of Lake County.
Stacy Ellington: Our organization has been around for 100 years—in fact next year we’ll be holding a 100th Anniversary Celebration. On a daily basis, we work to help over 40,000 Lake County families in need, with emergency critical services - from a mobile food pantry and food delivery, to healthcare services, and childcare and education. We have a huge number of people in need right here in Lake County.
LFLBC: What is one thing you want people to know about the YWCA of Lake County?
SE: Our mission is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. And every day we work toward those goals.
LFLBC: How has the Coronavirus crisis affected your work?
SE: Covid has increased the need for our services, and in turn it’s raised our level of awareness. One example is our Health & Human Services Program that provides free screenings, referrals, health navigation., diagnosis interpretation in multiple languages, and transportation to the people in our community. Our training topics and screenings include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, nutrition, osteoporosis, sexually transmitted diseases, and most recently COVID-19. Through the pandemic, we have been the boots on the ground, providing food, rent and utility assistance, diapers and formula, and other household necessities for free to over 250 families each month. We have also seen an influx in families needing safe childcare and places to send their children to e-learn, so our Child Care Resource and Referral team and our School Age Program have both stepped up a lot to help in that area. Our services are essential, so we haven’t stopped working. We need your donations to help fund all of these services to our families.
LFLBC: What is your organization’s vision?
SE: YWCA Lake County is the catalyst for change resulting in generations of self-sufficient women and a world free of racism.
LFLBC: How can someone help your organization?
SE: Primarily, we need donations to continue our work. Anyone can visit our website www.ywcalakecounty.org and easily make a monetary donation. We also have volunteer opportunities that can be completed remotely during COVID-19, and we take clothing donations as well. Following us on social media, liking and sharing our posts, and signing up for our newsletters is a great way to stay engaged with our latest work and share our impact within your circles.
LFLBC: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
SE: It’s been quite a year. We’ve been on a mission for 100 years, and we’re going to continue to be there for anyone in need in Lake County.
1.25.2021