Organize Your Butterflies YWCA

Catcalls of NYC is a grassroots initiative that uses public chalk art to raise awareness about gender-based street harassment. In this episode, host Alejandra Y. Castillo chats with founder of the movement, Sophie Sandberg, discusses the origins of the movement, the art of chalking, feminism, and taking the conversation about harassment internationally. The goal? To spur dialogue, provide a platform for story sharing, and promote cultural change. Follow CatCalls of NYC Instagram @catcallsofnyc to read powerful stories from brave individuals and to learn how to start a CatCalls movement in your city.

Sexual harassment, abuse, and assault are serious and widespread issues that are often used to instill fear, humiliate, or punish; destroy lives, families, and communities; or enforce power dynamics. These previously taboo issues have now been put in the public spotlight and have sparked many new and important conversations due to the #MeToo movement’s widespread influence around the world. In this episode, Dani Ayers is the Chief Executive Officer of The ‘Me Too.’ Movement, talks about interrupting and eradicating sexual violence to empowering survivors of sexual assault, supporting and activating survivors, and the future of the movement. Be sure to follow #MeToo. movement on Twitter at @MeTooMVMT and join in on the conversation using #MeToo. Learn more about YWCA resources for survivors of gender-based and sexual violence by visiting our website at ywca.org. This episode also spotlights the work of YWCA Bucks County. Executive Director, Guillaume Stewart talks about the ways this local association shows up to provide food pantries, housing resources, computer classes, and so much more for their local community.

The Allstate Foundation's Moving Ahead Curriculum has made significant strides to serve survivors of GBV who need support when it comes to financial empowerment. In this special edition episode of Organize Your Butterflies, Host Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA chats with Madeline Gregory, Philanthropy Manager, the Allstate Foundation and Linda Ellis-Williams, Director of Programs, YWCA Central Virginia, on how this program is providing clear and measured results for survivors who so desperately need it during the most vulnerable moments in their lives. For more information on the Allstate Foundation's curriculum, check it out at https://allstatefoundation.org/what-we-do/end-domestic-violence/resources/. And be sure to follow along with YWCA Central Virginia's programming at https://www.ywcacva.org/what-we-are-doing/dvpp/!

Join expert guest, Dr. Joelle Simpson, Medical Director of Emergency Preparedness, Program Director of Emergency Medical Services for Children - D.C. Program, and Emergency Medicine Physician at Children's National Hospital, and host, Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO of YWCA USA, as they explore how COVID-19 is affecting children, this back-to-school season, and communities of color. Listen in as the two discuss: how the virus displays in children; paying special attention to a child’s mental health during this particularly isolating time; how to be a responsible partner in your community; and how the virus is disproportionately impacting communities of color. Dr. Simpson also talks about her passion for healthcare, and her advice for aspiring women of color looking to break into the medical profession. For more information on Dr. Simpson, visit https://childrensnational.org/visit/find-a-provider/joelle-simpson and be sure to check out Children's National Hospital for more information on how they're keeping their community - and country - healthy through ground-breaking research, patient care, and partnering with their neighbors.

If we are to ever achieve a world where justice...just is, it’s essential that we start with the top of our justice system: the courtrooms themselves. And, a major barrier to justice within the court-system is the actual representation of judges on the bench. Join Russell Feingold, President of the American Constitution Society and former Senator of Wisconsin, and Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO of YWCA USA, as they discuss the importance of law-accessibility, creating a pipeline for more diverse judges through law school recruitment, and the movement to reclaim the legal system for all people. For more information on the ACS, check out https://www.acslaw.org/, and be sure to follow Russell on Twitter @russfeingold!

In the wake of the murder of 20-year old Vanessa Guillen, an Army specialist, the military has faced an immense amount of scrutiny in how they investigate gender-based violence. In response to cries for accountability, a group of former members of the armed services have banded together to seek justice for Vanessa and her family to hold the military accountable for their inaction. Lucy C. Del Gaudio, Melissa Bryant, and Lindsay Church speak with Alejandra Y. Castillo on how they are advocating for Vanessa and providing a new blueprint for proper investigation of gender-based violence reports within the armed services. As calls for transparency and accountability increase, these women are leading the way to achieve justice, and making history along the way. Please follow along @LadyDelDJ, @mabryant256 @lkmchurch , and contribute to the conversation to demand using the hashtag #JUSTICEFORVANNESSAGUILLEN on Twitter. For more information on what YWCA is doing to support survivors of gender-based violence visit https://www.ywca.org/what-we-do/domestic-and-sexual-violence-services/.