HERstory

July 11 – Organized as Christian Women’s Association with 52 members. Mrs. P.H. Fowler, wife of the late Rev. PH Fowler of the First Presbyterian Church, served as the CWA’s first president. Their goal was to provide a boarding house for young women moving to the city to start an independent life.

May 1 – Reading Rooms at 5 Devereux Street opened

September 1 – Celebrated 14^th anniversary, 21 Court Street, Utica

Through 1887 – relocates to 35 Charlotte Street, Utica

WCA becomes YWCA, so the local WCA continues to operate as member of the nationally organized YWCA.

May – Constitution and bylaws adopted by Women’s Class & Reading Room, operating at 5 Devereux Street, to become official program of YWCA MV.

Amelia H. Sheffield serves as first president of the local Young Women’s Christian Association.

YWCA relocates to 35 Charlotte Street, Utica.

White Lily Band formed for girls 10-15 years old

Mutual Improvement Society organized for girls over 15 years old

Through 1892 – YWCA MV relocates to 35 Devereux St., Utica

Rented rooms at YMCA building on Charlotte street with a separate entrance

Gifted a $10,000 building on the lands where the Industrial Home stood. Gift given in memory of Georgia Porter, by her mother

Reading room locates to Georgia Porter Memorial Building, 323 Court Street

Name changed from “Women’s Class & Reading Room” to “Working Girls Club”

Susan B. Anthony spoke in Utica (Clippings 1884 -1924 book)

October 8 – First Executive Director, Miss Ella P. Morrison, is appointed

Camp Als Ikh Kan established (to be named that at a later date)

Program offering 10 cent suppers for girls working in stores on Saturday nights

October 5 –  Set date to vote to incorporate as Nov. 5, 1904

November 5 – Voted for incorporation

November 19 – Incorporation official

Moved to 16 Hopper Street (picture in book marked “1884-1904”)

First Boarding Home for ten girls

Traveler’s Aid Program started

Teacup Inn opened, provides meals to women and jobs for YWCA members

Camp named as Camp Als Ikh Kan at Brantingham Lake opens officially

Moved to 264 Genesee Street (J.M. Crouse Residence)

Mortgage Papers Burned – YWCA free of debt

La Tosca Club – Industrial girls club formed

May – Purchased Curtis Dancing Academy Building on the corner of Aiken and Cornelia Streets.

Sold Genesee St. building

230 members

February 23 Dedication of 1000 Cornelia Street (book labelled 1916 – Present)

March 2-9  Whirlwind Campaign to increase membership

1663 members (Full candle light Initiation service for new members)

Cornelia Street building – Humphrey House opened to serve as residence for 41 girls.

Girls Reserves started (through 1940s)

Pool opened at Cornelia Street location

Numerous programs for unemployed girls

Focus on healthy women and fitness programs

Dances for Service Men offered in conjunction with YMCA, NYA, and Jewish Youth Council

Retired mortgage on Cornelia St. building

Y Teens & Y Girls programs offered

April – Y Guys added for boys in the area who have no place they could meet for any kind of activity. (Annual Report, 1955)

Celebrated YWCA’s national centennial

First phase of renovations to Cornelia St. location

Largest single effort made in area of racial integration and social isolation with detached workers program and day camp for 35 local children.

Teen “mixers” for older teens and college students held.

Business and Professional Club, Y’s Investors, Thursday Fun Club, Monday Forum

Camp Als Ikh Kan at Brantingham Lake closes

Sexual Violence Hotline offered, run by trained volunteers

Hall House, first Domestic Violence Shelter in Oneida County, opened following bequest from Dr. William Hall.

Sexual Violence Hotline becomes official program of YWCA in Oneida County (1988 Annual Report)

Feb 1 – 24-Hour hotline and Rape Crisis Services opens in Herkimer County

Spring – First Salute to Outstanding Women (1988 Annual Report)

Heston Foundation established. YWCA MV provides housing to homeless youth through the New Horizons program.

SV and DV services merged to become one 24-hour hotline for victims of sexual assault and familial violence.

Established only court advocacy initiative in Oneida County, aiding victims of domestic and sexual violence in family and criminal court proceedings.

Lucy’s House opened in Rome, as a safe dwelling for victims of domestic violence

Willow Commons opens in Oneida County

Herkimer County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is established in response to a community need for services related to child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, and family violence cases regarding children

YWCA MV merges with New Horizons program

Herkimer County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) receives first accreditation by the National Children’s Alliance (NCA)

New Horizons Plus program forms

Pool closes at Cornelia Street location

Exterior Refurbishment of 1000 Cornelia Street

YWCA MV Sign erected

YWCA MV is recognized as Mayor’s Gala Honoree

Renovations to Cornelia Street location studied

August – First male ever elected to YWCA board in NYS elected to YWCA MV board (Matthew Grove)

September – YWCA MV awarded $3.14 million conditional grant for Cornelia Commons proposal for of 30 DV housing units.

October – YWCA MV participates in 30^th national commemoration of DVAM – Domestic Violence Awareness Month

November – YWCA MV moves to Rutger Street location