At a Glance
2008 winter Program Catalog
View or download our fall catalog with details on our programs, workshops and computer courses for women in the Chester County area.
Stay in Touch
Contact YWCA at 610-692-3737 for more information or email ywcacc@comcast.net We love to keep in touch. Please call or email to add your name to our mailing list for notification of future course offerings.
Programs
Workshops and Courses for Women Only are offered in small groups in a supportive environment at an affordable cost. Reduced fees for low income participants are available for any workshop or course. Registration MUST be received in advance of the first class.
Programs
Homeshare
Homeshare is a living arrangement for people who want or need to share their homes for financial, security or companionship reasons with those with specific housing needs and limited financial resources. Office Hours: Monday 9:00am to 11:00 & Wednesday 12pm to 2pm Homeshare is a joint program in collaboration with Home of the Sparrow.
Homeshare is a living arrangement for people who want or need to share their homes for financial, security or companionship reasons with those with specific housing needs and limited financial resources. The rent is no more than $400 a month. A criminal background check is conducted on all applicants and each home provider and home seeker is extensively interviewed so the best possible match can be made. A $10 fee for the criminal background check and to start the application process is charged. The program only accepts applicants in Chester County. For more information call: 610-647-5256.
HomeShare Coordinator Matrie Johnson, MS joined Home of the Sparrow in November 2006. She holds a BS in Marketing from Howard University and an MS in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University. Matrie has worked extensively with homeless women and children and co-founded a mentoring program for homeless women at a family shelter in Philadelphia.
Explorations
Explorations helps young women to improve their social, leadership and interpersonal skills, develop self-esteem and resiliency. Classes cover creative arts, topics of cultural awareness, positive self-image, anger management, social competence, and decision-making skills. Creative arts components include a Stepping Team, a Mural Arts Group and a Creative Writing Group. 10-week program for girls (13 to 18 or grades 8 – 12). Each participant chooses one creative arts group and participates in that group for the 10-week session. First ten-week session is free but a fee of $25 will be charged for subsequent 10-week sessions
Diversity Training for The Workplace
Training for businesses or organizations on the topic of improving the diversity of the workplace. This training is part of the National YWCA Diversity Training initiative, and will be taught by trained facilitators. There are several choices a company/organization can make: 1) the full training is a series of THREE workshops. Each workshop is approximately 2 1/2 hours or 1/2 day of training. 2) Companies can also choose any one of the three workshops alone. They are: Do's and Don’ts for Businesses/Organizations regarding Diversity,What you need to know about Understanding Diversity, Understanding Cross-Cultural Communications in the Work Environment. Additionally, we will also be offering shorter, "lunch hour" explorations beginning in the Spring. We will have short films that we will show at the workplace and follow with discussions with participants. Please contact the YWCA at 610-692-3737 for more information and fees.
Single Mother's Support Group
Mothers on their own (for any reason) face unique parenting challenges. This group is for moms making a go of it alone and provides the opportunity to discuss different challenges and issues related to being single parents. Some of the topics include time management, budgeting, community resources, and social support. Share experiences and friendship with other single mothers. Free dinner and babysitting is provided on site.
Project Piggy Bank
Project Piggy Bank is about exploring the world of finance and business. The program specifically targets girls aged 10-18 to get them thinking about financial self-sufficiency through interesting activities and games. Adult guest presenters give short overviews on banking, investing, stocks and the legal aspects of starting, owning and running a business.
TEAM stands for teaching, enrichment, activities and more!
After school program -- Children aged 6-13 are welcome to attend from 3 pm to 5:30 pm during the school year. Team provides elementary age children the opportunity to participate in positive, educational, enrichment and recreational activities in a safe, nurturing, caring environment. They will complete their homework with assistance from tutors, have the opportunity to expand and improve their knowledge and learning skills through age appropriate activities such as educational computer games, a reading program, and cooking. Pre-registration is required and is limited to 25 students. Please phone Fran Luft at 610-692-3737 for information and an application.
Summer Enrichment Program
Children aged 6-12 participate in activities such as dance, mime, storytelling, yoga, self-defense, native american traditions, safety and the environment, educational field trips and swimming. Children aged 13 to 16 participate as counselors in training.
Workshops
Resume Writing Workshop (2 weeks)
Writing an effective resume is an art! It must have clean structure, and be easy to read. Bring an initial draft of your resume or we will help you develop one, help you brainstorm ideas and transform it effectively to make a positive impact on the employer.
Monday evening 6:00-8:00pm
Feb 16 and Feb 23, 2009
Fee: $30
Save money by registering for any 4 workshops above for $80. Reduced fees are available for any of our workshops or courses to low-income participants.
Computer Courses
Introduction to Computers for the Absolute Beginner (4 Weeks)
This course is designed for those who have no prior computer knowledge. It will introduce simple basic concepts and computer terminology. You will get started and become familiar with the computer environment and cyber space!
Tuesday daytime 10am-12noon
Session 1: Sept 16-Oct 7, 2008
Session 2: Nov 11-Dec 9, 2008
Session 3: Jan 13 – Feb 3, 2009
Fee: $100
Introduction to Computers for the Absolute Beginner (4 Weeks)
This course is designed for those who have no prior computer knowledge. It will introduce simple basic concepts and computer terminology. You will get started and become familiar with the computer environment and cyber space!
Tuesday daytime 10am-12noon
Jan 13 – Feb 3, 2009
Fee: $100
Internet Literacy (4 Weeks)
Take a behind the scenes look at the Web. This course is for those individuals who are familiar using the computer but need assistance navigating and surfing the Internet, search engines, shopping, doing research, job searches, and also how to use and format e-mails.
Tuesday daytime10am-12noon
Feb 10-March 2, 2009
Fee: $100
Microsoft OUTLOOK (1 week)
Learn to use this communication and organizational software widely used in the office environment. You will become familiar with how to manage mass e-mails and keep them organized, create and manage contact lists, schedule appointments, assign tasks, plan events, coordinate meetings and customize options to suit the needs of the staff in office.
Thursday evening 6:00-8:00pm
March 12, 2009
Fee: $30
Microsoft Office WORD Level One (6 weeks)
Administrative professionals are the largest segment of the office workforce! This 6-week course provides an overview of Microsoft Office software including how to create and edit documents, insert tables and columns, format text, insert headers and footers to a document and much more. Designed for students with basic computer skills.
Wednesday evening 6:00-8:00pm
Jan 7- Feb 18, 2009
Fee: $120
Microsoft EXCEL Level One (6 weeks)
Introduction to Microsoft Excel, the powerful electronic spreadsheet program that records, analyzes, and calculates data. Excel is designed to help organize basic work sheets, using mathematical formulas and functions. Topics will include: formatting, editing, and printing worksheets.
Thursday 6:00-8:00pm
Jan 22 – Feb 26, 2009
Fee: $120
Microsoft POWERPOINT Level One (6 weeks)
Introduces students to the most powerful program that allows you to utilize your creativity and make effective presentations.
Topics include building presentations, formatting and proof reading text, utilizing creative tools to enhance and deliver presentations.
Tuesday evening 6:00-8:00pm
Jan 20 – March 10, 2009
Fee: $120
Introduction to Digital Cameras (2 weeks)
Designed for the new digital camera user. Learn how to crop, resize, print digital photos, download photos onto the computer, basic photo editing techniques, e-mailing photos, and file formats. Students should have basic computer skills and a digital camera. Please bring camera and any connecting cables to class.
Tuesday 12noon-2pm
Feb 25 and March 4, 2009
Fee: $50