meet our volunteers

Kym Barboza-Owens
Facilitator, Racial Justice Community Sessions
Past Residential Director, YWCA Southeastern MA
“I love the YWCA because as a women and one that is multi-cultural, I feel it is necessary to be part of a historic organization that has a foundation that is based in empowering women and girls. The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts works daily to provide me, my daughter and granddaughter a voice in our community. Thanks YW!!!!”


Lee Blake
Director of Southcoast Compact, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Past Vice-President, YWCA Board of Directors













Christine Coelho
Teacher
Past Assistant Treasurer, YWCA Board of Directors
Co-Chair, Red Dress Fashion Show & Silent Auction Committee
“What drew me to the YWCA was that there weren't many programs within the community focused on women's issues. I had gotten my minor in Women studies because it always intrigued me how much women have overcome discrimination and how they are considered a minority in many areas of the world. The YWCA gives women a voice in the community, provides an outlet for women to feel comfortable to speak out, and a safe place for those women who are struggling with health issues, as well as many other issues that we at the YWCA are helping them overcome.”





Marline Cupidson
Clerical Support, YWCA Levi Standish House
“The YWCA is a great program to see women get together and work as a team to support each other. That’s the reason I’m drawn to the YWCA: empowering women.”



Janine daSilva
Preservation Specialist, New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park
Past Board Member, YWCA Board of Directors
“The mission and the women draw me to the YWCA.”














Yvonne Drayton
Vice-Chair, National Coordinating Board, YWCA USA
National Coordinating Board Representative, YWCA New England Region
Past Executive Director, YWCA Southeastern MA
“The YWCA provides myriad opportunities for interaction and shared intelligence among women and girls of diverse lifestyles usually without the impact of the male perspective. It is one of the few organizations where women can experience personal growth, leadership and power.”




 



Councillor Jane L. Gonsalves,
City Council President
Member, YWCA Capital Campaign Steering Committee
Chair, YWCA Red Dress Fashion Show and Silent Auction Committee
Past Vice-President, YWCA Board of Directors
“What draws me to the YWCA? The power and support of my sisters.”


 

Hannah Haines
Creative Director, Medium Studios



Jean Kellaway
Member, YWCA Membership Committee
Member, YWCA Racial Justice Committee
Past Board Member, YWCA Board of Directors




 

 

Astrid M. Kitchen, Esq.
Attorney, The Law Offices of Astrid M. Kitchen, P.C.
Past Treasurer, YWCA Board of Directors















Kiah Murphy
Student Intern, Leadership Development 
Assistant to the Director of Advocacy and Communications



Rosita Maeks-Anderson
YWCA 30 Under 30 Ambassador
UMASS Dartmouth Student Intern, Leadership Development 
Assistant to the Director of Advocacy and Communications
"What draws me to the YWCA is its mission.  Eliminating racism and empowering women are actions I strongly believe in and the YWCA is one of the very few organizations that is making an effort to make these changes.  Along with this mission, the YWCA continues to affect many lives daily, including my own.  As a little girl, I went to the YWCA after school program.  Now, as a young adult I am proud to be a part of an organization that provides so many influential positive programs for our communities."






Pam Pollock
Advisor, Mayor’s Youth Council
Facilitator, Racial Justice Community Sessions
Regional Resource Coordinator, YWCA New England Region
Past Associate Executive Director, YWCA Southeastern MA
“What draws me to the YWCA? The mission of the YWCA... to eliminate racism and empower women.... continues to offer the opportunity to make a difference in our community and for women and girls everywhere.”









Neal Weiss
YWCA Capital Campaign Steering Committee
"I greatly respect the work that the YWCA does; it serves unmet needs over the long term, regardless of how unpopular or unfashionable those causes are at any given moment. By helping out at the YWCA, I work side by side with people who are committed and effective, the kind of people on whom I try to model my own behavior."
       










Eusie Zane
Retired
Past Board Member, YWCA Board of Directors
“What draws me to the YWCA? The YWCA works hard to help people and I like to be part of that.”