Meet Our Volunteers
Lee Blake
Director of Southcoast Compact, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Past Vice-President, YWCA Board of Directors
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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.”
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.”
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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.”
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Councillor Jane L. Gonsalves
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.”
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Jean Kellaway
Member, YWCA Membership Committee
Member, YWCA Racial Justice Committee
Past Board Member, YWCA Board of Directors
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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.”
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Marie-Frances Rivera
Assistant Treasurer
Program Manager, SMILES Mentoring Program
“What draws me to the YWCA? First and foremost our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women is what draws me! As a young woman of color, I feel fortunate that so many women before me have paved the way on issues of equality. The women I’ve met through the YWCA have empowered me to continue building on this foundation for generations to come.”
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.”
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.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.”