The faces in the photographs tell a poignant story of hope in spite of circumstance. Claire Yaffa, a social activist and professional photographer - who worked for fifteen years at the New York Times chronicling stories of child abuse, homelessness, Holocaust survivorship and Aids - tackles homelessness in Westchester with her exhibit: The Human Face of Homeless.

While researching affordable housing in Westchester in 2006, Claire found that so often working families and the elderly were priced out of the market. She visited the Open Arms Shelter, Project Trust Program and Samaritan House Shelter to try to put “a human face on people who are homeless to portray them as the human beings they are…” They are black, white, men, women, Hispanic, veterans… Claire began to tell their story through her pictures and also captured their own words describing their plight:

“Residents are people who pay their government checks…. they pay the Department of Social Services and the system…”

“I haven’t committed a crime. I feel like I am guilty because I am homeless.”

One man voiced, “As a Veteran who gave time to our country, I am discriminated against. I am homeless…. I have to give up 95% of my service connected money to the County to offset the cost of my stay in a shelter.”

The YWCA was pleased to be a host site for The Human Face of Homeless, sharing this story of need in Westchester with its members and the public. The YWCA is the only provider of permanent housing with support services for low-income women in Westchester County.

The Alliance for Just Solutions is a project of the YWCA and United Way of Westchester and Putnam that is dedicated to fostering networks and collaborations among organizations working on social justice issues in Westchester.

The issues faced by immigrants who find themselves in situations of domestic violence are intricate and often confusing. Fear is often the main factor that motivates their handling of domestic violence. Fear of repercussions that will further hurt their families; fear of losing the family income from the person perpetuating the violence; and fear of deportation if they are undocumented.

These topics were central to the discussion on domestic violence and immigrant communities that was held on October 11^th at the YWCA – a program of the Alliance for Just Solutions and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. Robin Bikkal, Esq, led the program with an overview of Immigration Law and processes involved in obtaining U.S. resident status. Following was a discussion on community policing and the efforts of the White Plains Police Department to be proactive in addressing needs of the community’s diverse constituency from employing hand held translators that enable the police to communicate in 11 different languages, to trainings for the division’s officers that address cultural differences; and differential pay for officers who speak Spanish.

Two other lawyers from Pace Women’s Justice Center and My Sister’s Place spoke in detail about how clients come to them and the avenues of support for individuals confronted with domestic violence. They spoke about the power and control of the perpetrator who employs a variety of tactics to scare and intimidate that may not be apparent to the outsider. This includes economic abuse, sexual abuse, threats of deportation and separation from children, to isolating the women from friends and family.

Central to being able to assist undocumented and even residents who are confronted with domestic violence is ensuring that they have access to counsel who are experts in immigration law. The Violence Against Women Act provides two avenues for abused men and women to obtain lawful permanent resident status without the cooperation of their abusive spouse.

The final participant in the program represented White Plains Hospital where they often see firsthand physical abuse caused by domestic violence and the difficulty they face in being able to begin the discussion with the victim on how to obtain help. 

The Alliance for Just Solutions is a project of the YWCA and United Way of Westchester and Putnam that is dedicated to fostering networks and collaborations among organizations working on social justice issues in Westchester.

“Speak with your counterparts from around the globe at the YWCA World Council Meeting, which will be held this July in Narobi, Africa. You will experience first hand what it feels like to be part of a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, empowering them to change their lives and their communities,” said Mildred Persinger, to the forty women who attended the International Women’s Day Roundtable Luncheon on March 8^th at the YWCA of White Plains. The program was sponsored by the YWCA and the Alliance for Just Solutions, and focused on connecting women in Westchester with women’s issues around the world. Participants included professionals and students, representing civic, non-profit and other organizations across the county.

Mildred Persinger is an Honorary Board member of the YWCA-USA, and is founder of the International Women’s Tribune Centre, a communication and training center for women in developing countries. She headed organization and management for the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) forum at the 1975 United Nations (UN) World Conference of International Women’s Year held in Mexico City.  This forum became a model for subsequent NGO forums parallel to UN World Women’s Conferences. During the Civil Rights Movement, she joined Dorothy Height of the National Council of Negro Women to work on the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Following Ms. Persinger, Cheryl Brannan, the dynamic CEO of Sister to Sister International (STSI), spoke about bringing teenagers to the United Nations earlier in the week to participate in an international conference on violence and discrimination against girls. For eight years, STSI, which is based in Yonkers, NY, has participated in hosting events at the United Nations’ annual Commission on the Status of Women conference held the week of International Woman’s Day.

Ms. Brannan started STSI in 1994 to link women of African descent globally to the resources that connect, advance and strengthen them.  The organization sponsors health symposiums; personal and professional development workshops and seminars; global briefings; communications sessions for youth; and promotes African culture. Through education and advocacy, STSI promotes key issues affecting women and families with local, regional and global leaders, often collaborating with other NGO’s to offer programs and coordinate efforts to support women and children in Africa.

As part of its 2007 activities, STSI raised funds for the Kondwa Day Care Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, which cares for children with HIV/AIDS. STSI was also proud to announce a new partnership with the World Health Organization and Links Inc. to improve maternal health and minimize the transfer of HIV/AIDS from mother to child with the “Maama Kit.”  The Kit contains hygienic supplies for African women who often give birth without medical assistance.

While the focus of the Roundtable was global, the Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousins suggested that women should start by getting involved locally. Newly elected to the position of State Senator, Ms. Stewart-Cousins remarked on the number of women who are leading New York State agencies and urged program attendees to be a part of the political process. Senator Stewart-Cousins told the audience that African women are inspired by the role women can play in civic life in America and applauded the efforts of STSI to bring African and American women together to learn from and support each other.

At the end of the luncheon, County Legislator Lois Bronz invited attendees to participate in her new leadership program to mentor young women leaders. Women were also encouraged to join local boards and committees for organizations that impact their communities, and to just get involved!

The Alliance for Just Solutions is a project of the YWCA and United Way of Westchester and Putnam that is dedicated to fostering networks and collaborations among organizations working on social justice issues in Westchester.

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