About Us
Since 1895
Who We Are
The YWCA Delaware is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth and to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to empower women and families, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
The YWCA is proud to be one of the oldest and largest organizations supporting women in the United States, providing services for women and their families in our community.
Our local programs and services have furthered the YWCA vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people since 1895. Over the past 130 years, programs have evolved and have included educational and employment classes for individuals, teen workshops, community dialogue groups to discuss race relations, a domestic violence and sexual assault crisis response center, and community housing programming.
Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.
YWCA MISSION
Community Impact ↘
YWCA Delaware serves individuals of all races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. In 2024, over 8,000 individuals participated in our comprehensive programs throughout Delaware.
80%
of formerly homeless families became self-sufficient and position for upward mobility.
80%
of households received 3 or more resources and improved social determinants of health.
96%
of survivors who received YWCA's Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence support felt supported, empowered and in control of decision-making during recovery.
93%
of clients reported improved financial health.
94%
of our clients reported a greater understanding of policies and the importance of civic participation.
94%
of our youth development participants reported developing an increase in self-esteem and sense of purpose.
Our Team
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Melissa Gonville
Chief Executive Officer
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Candice Buchanan, MPA
Chief Programs and Development Officer
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Robin Mandell
Chief Financial Officer
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Elizabeth N. McCourt, JD
Chief Health and Safety Officer
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Lisa Forever, LMSW, MSCJ
Chief Housing and Community Impact Officer
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Darlene Backelman
Chief Human Resources Officer
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Becca Cotto
Director of Community Engagement
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a group of leaders who use their passion, insights, and connections in the community to create a real impact for YWCA Delaware.
Officers
K. Smith, President
Senior Manager Information Security, TD Bank
C. Wicks, President-Elect
COO, The Reybold Group
D. Mitchell, CSP, VP Board Resource
Operational Excellence and Early Career Talent Lead, DuPont
S. Shah, Treasurer
Managing Director, Digital Transformation, JP Morgan
D. Henry, BCBA Assistant Treasurer
CEO at BrightBloom
S. Johnson, Esq., Secretary
Senior Attorney Editor at Thomson West
J. Pappenhagen, Fund Development
Manager, Strategy and Planning, ChristianaCare
P. Grant, Co-chair, Board Resource
Senior Manager Information Technology, DuPont
Directors
D. Crawford, Sustainability Manager, Macquarie Asset Management
C. Daney, Account Executive, MiniFIBERS
T. Duffy, MSW, Police Sergeant, New Castle County
M. Graves, Healthcare IT Program Manager, DuPont
P. Hill, Founder/CEO, G&J Quality Homes, LLC
S. Hoggard, Senior Vice President, JPMorgan Chase
C. Hudak, Sr. Information Security Specialist at TD
J. Kilgore, MPH, MSW, VP, Population Health & Clinical Operations, Delaware First Health
T. Lockett, Principal/Founder, Mainline Advisory & Consulting Group
L. Quamie, Esq., Director - Labor, Employment and Benefits Law, Allstate
D. Rogerson, Deputy CTO, Morgan Stanley
N. Squires, Esq., Senior Counsel, ChristianaCare
R. Van Oot, JD, MSS, MLSP, CEO, Jewish Family Services
Honorary Members
P. Smith Finkelman, Retired/Marketing Communications
A.L. Stanford, PhD, Retired, DuPont
Key Dates in YWCA History
Annual & Financial Reports
YWCA is committed to accountability and transparency in everything we do. Below you will find resources that illuminate our financial position, outline how we allocate our resources, and showcase the impact of the valuable support from our donors and sponsors. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we welcome your support of our mission!
YWCA Delaware
3-Year Strategic Plan
2024 - 2026
Throughout our history, YWCA has been at the forefront of most major movements in the United States, including as a pioneer in human rights, labor union representation and the empowerment of women. YWCA Delaware operates as an independent 501(c)3.
YWCA Delaware has a strong commitment to these signature platforms. We’re exploring our potential to increase impact by expanding where services are most crucial:
Housing Security
Economic Empowerment, including Youth Development
Health and Safety
Strategic Priorities
for 2024 to 2026 ↘
Evaluate the opportunity to further improve housing security
Expand the value of, and community engagement in, our advocacy efforts
Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization
Improve technology and data infrastructure to increase capacity and efficiency
Enhance the organizational culture
Optimize the Board of Directors’ effectiveness
FAQs
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YWCA Delaware receives referals from YWCA Delaware's Centralized Intake and from YWCA Delaware's Sexual Assault Response Center. If you are homeless or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless, call Delaware’s Centralized Intake by dialing 1-833-346-3233.
If you need domestic violence or sexual assault supportive counseling, medical and legal accompaniment, access to support groups, as well as information and referrals to our vital services, please call our 24/7 SARC helpline at 800-773-8570.
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YWCA Delaware's "SCHE" (Safe, Compassion, Heal, Empower) Joint Transitional Housing and Rapid Re-Housing program offers survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence with personalized service plans and resources to achieve housing stability.
YWCA works to rapidly re-house homeless women and families and provides financial assistance, comprehensive case management, and support services to assist women and families in becoming economically and residentially stable and self-sufficient in permanent housing. Services may include but are not limited to community housing, case management, access to food, wellness and nutrition workshops, and clothing, workforce readiness training, medical/legal accompaniment, financial housing assistance, financial coaching, therapeutic services, access to legal, medical and mental health services, and transportation services. YW assists in developing tailored Housing Service Plans that offer financial resources and internal/external support services, including searching for safe and affordable housing, employment, life skills and enrichment training, and participating in state-sponsored training programs. RRH participants also receive evaluations for benefits and housing, including purchase of care – early childhood and after-school education, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicare, and SNAP. "SCHE" Joint Transitional and Rapid Re-Housing program participants are responsible for contributing financially to their households while maintaining continued access to YW’s support services.
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YWCA Delaware's Diversion program prevents homelessness for families by assisting them to identify alternate housing arrangements that diverts them from entering the homeless management system. Case management and financial assistance is available for up to 3 months to support families so they can retain stable housing and eliminate episodes of homelessness.