Juneteenth Blues Fest
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE BLUES - AND IT TOOK ROOT IN AMERICA AND CREATED OTHER MUSIC: URBAN BLUES, JAZZ, GOSPEL, SWING, ROCK AND ROLL, RHYTHM AND BLUES, COUNTRY AND HIP HOP. LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS JUNETEENTH BLUESFEST IS A SALUTE TO AMERICA'S MOST ENDURING MUSICAL FORM AND THE PEOPLE AND CULTURE THAT NURTURED IT - FROM ITS ROOTS IN AFRICA TO LORAIN COUNTY.
IN TODAY'S WORLD OF FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND TWITTER, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE A TIME WHEN NEWS WAS DELIVERED IN WEEKS AND NOT SECONDS, BUT THE SLAVES IN GALVESTON, TEXAS DID NOT LEARN OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION AND THEIR FREEDOM UNTIL A FULL TWO YEARS AFTER IT WAS SIGNED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN IN
1863. UPON HEARING THE NEWS, THE NEWLY FREED SLAVES CREATED A CELEBRATION THAT BECAME THE PREMIER HOLIDAY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH.
BECAUSE THE EXACT DATE IN JUNE THAT THE NEWS WAS DELIVERED IN GALVESTON WAS AS RELEVANT AS THE EVENT IT MEMORIALIZED, THE DAY WAS SIMPLY KNOWN AS JUNETEENTH.
CELEBRATIONS VARIED FROM STATE TO STATE AND TOWN TO TOWN, BUT THERE WERE ALWAYS PIONICS, CONTESTS, JUBILATION AND MUSIC. JUST AS THE GREAT MIGRATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH FACILITATED THE SPREAD OF BLUES MUSIC, THEY ALSO BROUGHT WITH THEM THE SOUTHERN TRADITION OF JUNETEENTH.
- CREDIT TO JEANINE-DONALDSON
An Evening with Majora Carter
Join us for an evening of conversations of significance in this monthly speaker series honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with MacArthur Fellow, Entrepreneur, Founder of Green For All, and Author of Reclaiming Your Community: You Don’t Have to Move Out of Your Neighborhood to Live In a Better One. FREE EVENT. Register here: https://www.loraincounty.com/e/spiritof76
The Urgency of Now — Building Movement in aTime of Poli-Crisis
Join us for an evening of conversations of significance in this monthly speaker series honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with this Professor at Yale Divinity School, Activist, and Founder of Moral Mondays and he discusses Public Theology and Public Policy. FREE EVENT. Register here: https://www.loraincounty.com/e/spiritof76
PLEASE NOTE: May 1 is a placeholder — Actual date and location TO BE ANNOUNCED
An Evening with Simon Kornblith, Ph.D.
Join us for an evening of conversations of significance in this monthly speaker series honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with a Lorain County Native working as a Technical Team Member at Anthropic, Creator of Claude AI. FREE EVENT. Register here: https://www.loraincounty.com/e/spiritof76
An Evening with Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
Join us for an evening of conversations of significance in this monthly speaker series honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with the CEO of Feeding America. A member of the TIME 100 Women of the Year, she will discuss New Tools to End Hunger. FREE EVENT. Register here: https://www.loraincounty.com/e/spiritof76
Immigration and the US: What is the Way Forward?
Join us for an evening of conversations of significance in this monthly speaker series honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with an Immigration Policy Analyst with the Cato Institute and an Emeritus Professor at Oberlin College as they discuss the current dynamics of immigration in today’s political climate.
FREE EVENT. Register here: https://www.loraincounty.com/e/spiritof76
An Evening with John Kasich
The aim of the FREE “In the Spirit of ‘76 Speaker Series” is to engender in our community an awakening to our role as citizens in this marvelous experiment called democracy. Our forum is dedicated to uniting our community and inspiring attendees to pursue a greater good together than we can achieve alone. Register for all six events at: https://www.loraincounty.com/e/spiritof76
Soulful Sunday
YOUR VOTE COUNTS! Please JOIN US next Sunday, October 27 for "Soulful Sunday" for free food, a free ride to the polls, and a Democracy Town Hall & Rally with Tom Roberts, president of the Ohio NAACP! Our bus begins pick-ups at 1:00PM...please check with your church for your parish's pick-up time.
YWCA WEEK WITHOUT VIOLENCE
YWCA has set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence to raise awareness, elevate survivor voices, talk with policymakers, and more with a common goal: centering survivors so that together, we can end gender-based violence.
Source: https://ywcaweekwithoutviolence.org/
Meet the Candidates Night
This event is free and open to the public at the Lorain College County Community College Spitzer Center. Doors open at 5:30PM. Event runs 6:00-8:00PM. Meet and greet until 9:00PM.
Featured candidates for the following offices:
County Coroner
County Engineer
County Treasurer
County Recorder
County Sheriff
County Commissioners
Meet the Candidates Night
This event is free and open to the public at the Lorain College County Community College Spitzer Center. Doors open at 5:30PM. Event runs 6:00-8:00PM. Meet and greet until 9:00PM.
Featured candidates for the following offices:
County Coroner
County Engineer
County Treasurer
County Recorder
County Sheriff
County Commissioners
Early Voting Begins
Cast your vote via absentee ballot or in-person at the Board of Elections! Visit this link for the voting calendar.
Voter Registration Ends
Register in-person at events throughout the season, or register online at this link.
Child Health Day
In the United States, National Child Health Day occurs each year on the first Monday in October. The day recognizes the care and guidance children need to grow strong and healthy.
#ChildHealthDay
Each child deserves to be the healthiest he or she can be. From the food they eat to the words they hear, children require support and opportunities to grow. Parents often worry about chronic disease, accidents or childhood illnesses. At the same time, they focus on a child's mental health and general health. Whether it's their environment, the food they eat or how much TV they watch, the day is an excellent opportunity to support the children in your life.
Latina Equal Pay Day
Latina Equal Pay Day is the approximate day Latina’s must work into the new year to make what White non-Hispanic man made at the end of the previous year. Latina’s typically earn only 55 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men and must work nearly 23 months to earn what white men earn in 12 months. That means it takes almost two years for Latinas to earn what White men earn in one.
REI PHASE 1 Training (2-day)
REI’s two-day Phase 1 training is designed to develop the capacity of participants to better understand racism in its institutional and structural forms.
International Day of Nonviolence
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the First Day of Unity observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.
LGBT History Month
LGBT History Month celebrates the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender Icons. Each day in October, a new LGBT Icon is featured with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images, and other resources. Learn more: https://lgbthistorymonth.com
International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first established in 1981 and first observed in September 1982 and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people.
CONNECT TO A CAUSE
Save the date! Connect to a Cause 2024 will take place on September 19th, from 8 AM to 8 PM. This year, YWCA ELYRIA is proud to be one of 95 featured non-profit organizations that make a significant impact on our community. Your generosity and commitment have been crucial to the Community Foundation of Lorain County’s success since 2020, enabling the organization to raise over $1M for non-profit organizations serving Lorain County. Let’s continue this incredible journey in 2024 and reach new heights together. Join us in making Connect to a Cause 2024 another unforgettable day of giving and community spirit.
Your donation supporting YWCA Elyria is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. MAKE YOUR DONATION HERE
Hispanic Heritage Month
This year, our theme for Hispanic Heritage Month continues to be Empowering Communities, Advancing Justice, and it will be informed by the topics for the 2024 YWCA Racial Justice Challenge, providing an opportunity to explore how women have advanced equity for each topic of the Racial Justice Challenge and what YWCA is doing to advance equity in communities across America.
"WE WERE HERE" Bicentennial Exhibit
Stop by the “We Were Here” Bi-Centennial Exhibit and Celebration of African-American and Hispanic Culture! There will be a reception on Wednesday, September 11th. Additional details to come.
YWCA Elyria at the Lorain County Fair!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! This is a big step in our return to the Fair. The Fair board members have assured us that we will not be blindsided with confederate memorabilia.
LORAIN COUNTY GET OUT THE VOTE WORKSHOP @ AVON LAKE LIBRARY
YWCA Elyria is a co-sponsor and presenter of this event! Attendees are encouraged to learn and share “Get Out the Vote” information with your friends, families, churches, and other organizations.
RACE FORWARD Task Force Meeting
RACE FORWARD Task Force Meetings occur on the Second Wednesday of the month at 11:00 a.m.
Please mark your calendar to join us on the following dates:
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
JUNETEENTH Screening of "A Higher Law"
In partnership with the Oberlin Heritage Center, we are thrilled to provide a FREE screening of “A Higher Law: The Oberlin Wellington Rescue” in celebration of Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Lorain Palace Theatre.
JUNETEENTH
Annual observance celebrating freedom and equal rights in the United States.
Annual Bluesfest
Grab your lawn chairs and settle in for an afternoon at Lorain’s Lakeview Park from 3:00-7:00 PM honoring Juneteenth through amazing blues performances, historical skits, and camaraderie with your friends and neighbors. Stay tuned for the complete lineup of performances, made possible through our partnership with Lorain County Metroparks!
Lorain Freedom Ride Cycling Event
Join us for the Lorain Freedom Ride Family Cycling Event this Father's Day! Presented by “God’s Best for your Body”, this Juneteenth ride meets at Sunset Cafe at Lakeview Park in Lorain. There are three rides to choose from (8, 16 or 24 miles) which will guide you and your bicycle through some of Lorain’s historic sites, with fun & prizes, followed by the Juneteenth Bluesfest.
WHERE: Sunset Cafe at Lakeview Park
WHEN: 24 & 16 mile rides meet at 10:30 a.m. (depart at 10:50 a.m.); 8 mile ride meets at 1:15 p.m. (depart at 1:35 p.m.)
QUESTIONS: iwantGodsbest@gmail.com