It’s always wonderful to see Ross students stepping up to volunteer in their communities, and it gives the Ross community as a whole something to be proud of: the compassion, integrity, and kindness shared by its members. Recently, students, staff, and faculty from the Fort Wayne campus volunteered at YWCA of Northeast Indiana to help organize and sort donations.
YWCA of Northeast Indiana functions as a safe place for women in the community, offering many services including addiction recovery services, shelter for those affected by domestic violence, and community engagement activities. Ross students and staff used their monthly community service project to help out at YWCA by sorting and organizing donations.
The Chic Boutique is an incentive-based program for which clients can earn tickets to exchange for items in the boutique, like makeup, earbuds, nail polish, accessories, and other small items. The Dress for Success store takes clothing donations that women can use to go on job interviews or wear to work after leaving abusive home situations. YWCA also has a food pantry.
During their volunteering time, Ross students, staff, and faculty helped organize and sort donations received to stock each of these programs. YWCA staff had not yet been able to sort these items themselves due to lack of staff availability.
Anna Thompson, who serves as the the Resource Development Assistant at YWCA Northeast Indiana, said that the YWCA staff greatly appreciated what the Ross Fort Wayne campus volunteers did and how it will impact YWCA clients.
“The help with organizing and revamping allows the spaces to be more welcoming for clients as they are healing through their trauma. It helps gives them back their self-esteem and [helps build them] back up,” said Thompson.
Medical Assistant student Isabelita Tatman said, “I enjoy giving back to the community and what better way than to partner with the YWCA Northeast Indiana that helps many women of our community.”
If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about YWCA Northeast Indiana, please visit ywcanein.com.