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2007 Gala Fundraiser 1000 STRONG WOMEN CAMPAIGN BWRI Forms Partnership with YWCA of Worcester Agencies combine resources and align missions aimed at empowering women and eliminating violence The Board of Directors of Battered Women's Resources, Inc have unanimously voted to form a partnership with the YWCA of Central Massachusetts located in Worcester. The decision follows extensive study and strategic plan initiatives undertaken by the Board and staff of BWRI, which aims to further strengthen and expand critical programs available to victims of domestic violence and their families over the next five years. BWRI has addressed the crisis of domestic violence with its 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, SAFEPLAN advocates and crisis counseling in Northern Worcester county for more than 30 years. Through a strategic partnership with the YWCA, services for women and children will expand to include self-sufficiency assistance such as housing, education, child care and job training. The merger of these two agencies creates the largest women's advocacy and resource center in central Massachusetts and brings a solid regional focus to the issues facing women and their families in the central area, including domestic violence, said Joanne Tulonen, Executive Director of BWRI Both BWRI and the YWCA view this partnership as a means of leveraging their combined resources in order to enhance services for women and to expand their advocacy efforts aimed at improving women's lives. According to Dr. Bruce Man, President, BWRI Board of Directors, Our missions are aligned ; both agencies are focused on improving and empowering the lives of women and children. This partnership will increase the services BWRI can offer women and children in our region and enable full implementation of our strategic plan. Since it's founding in 1885, the mission of the YWCA has focused on the empowerment of women by creating opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power. We are delighted to be joining forces with BWRI. Together, we can enrich our collective power to remove barriers and eliminate injustices imposed upon women most especially, women who are victims of abuse, said Linda Cavaioli Executive Director, YWCA of Central Massachusetts The merger, pending YWCA membership and state approval, is slated to go into effect July 1, 2007. BWRI will continue its delivery of comprehensive domestic violence services in north central Massachusetts including the 24-hour hotline ; emergency shelter ; SAFEPLAN, counseling services, and community education. About YWCA of Worcester The YWCA Central Massachusetts is part of an international and national women's membership movement committed to the empowerment of women and girls and the elimination of racism with a pro-active membership serving the diverse needs of women and girls leadership, service and support. For more than 120 years, the YWCA has been providing services for women, children and families. Today, YWCA programs help families become economically self-sufficient, promote the development of children and youth, the physical health for people of all ages and abilities, provides safety and shelter to victims of domestic violence and opportunities for teen parents to complete their high school education and become job ready. More information is available at www.ywcaworcester.org.