Moira Branigan presented to our club on behalf of the YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region as their new Executive Director. The YWCA was a grant recipient in our previous grant cycle.
Club President Tara Welch provided the introduction for Ms. Branigan by reading the press release published by the YWCA upon her hire.
“The YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce Moira Branigan as the agency’s next Executive Director. She begins her role on August 12, 2019. As Executive Director, Moira will be responsible for managing innovative programs and services, fund development, and advocacy.
“Moira’s regional experience in the nonprofit sector will serve YWCA’s mission of empowering women and eliminating racism. We are excited by Moira’s understanding of our organization’s distinctively unique history in the region. We look forward to her leadership as the YWCA begins to write its’ next chapter,” said Ann Coburn-Collins, President of the Board for the YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region.
For the past five years, Moira was Director of Internal Operations for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. The central role of the organization is to improve the economic vitality and quality of life in the region. Matt Felan, President & CEO of the Great Lake Bay Regional Alliance expressed his support for Moira’s decision to step into the new role. He stated, “Moira is the ideal person to lead the YWCA GLBR. She works passionately to make our region the best place to live, work, and play. She will leverage her extensive network and brings an incredible work ethic to further YWCA’s positive impact in the Great Lakes Bay Region.”
"The YWCA Board of Directors welcomes Moira Branigan into her new role and is confident she will work to represent all women across the region.”
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The YWCA-GLBR was established in 1891 and became a chartered member of YWCA National in 1906. The organization previously had offices on the west side of Bay City, but from 2009-2011 moved from their Midland Rd location to the Phoenix building downtown. In 2010 YWCA became the YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region, the first nonprofit to adopt the GLBR name.
The YWCA offers a variety of programs and Ms. Branigan gave an overview of the following:
Camp Meadows is a day camp for special needs youth that is in its 39th year. Attendees are elementary school age through age 13 and the overall goals are enrichment for the children and respite for families or caretakers. The camp meets in June and July for 6 weeks and enrolls up to 17 special needs youth. The cost per attendee is $475 and the grant from our club was used to sponsor attendees. Ms. Branigan stated that the camp is important to build social skills for the youth and respite for the parents.
In addition to Camp Meadows, the YWCA also provides additional camps. Camp Greener Pastures is a school to work program for girls and women aged 13-26. Camp Open Fields is a school to work program for boys aged 13-20. Both camps take place in June and July each year.
The Getting Ahead Program is a 13 week workshop for women who are struggling to get out of poverty using the Bridges Out of Poverty model. Graduates of the program can receive an educational stipend up to $1000 for educational or business needs. The Working Wardrobe provides, at no cost, clothes for women who want to transition from the service sector to the professional sector. It is open to anyone in the community who is in need.
Ms. Branigan concluded by inviting members to join the YWCA at the Annual Women’s Empowerment Symposium which will take place November 12, 2019 at the Great Hall in Midland. This event will feature empowering speakers and is also the largest fundraiser for the YWCA.
