Group Hopes To Reopen YWCA

Danville Register & Bee
Published: March 16, 2008

A group of determined women were out Saturday grooming the grounds of YWCA in the belief that it will reopen soon.

Danville’s YWCA closed in October 2006 because of financial problems. Long-time members, such as Nancy Jiranek, have been working to reopen the facility. She estimates they need about $150,000 to reopen and stay open.

“We’re planning different types of fundraising events to help us reach that goal,” she said.

Jiranek has been active in the YWCA since her family moved here in 1964. The Y was then housed in Mrs. James Schoolfield’s home, where programs and classes were offered. The YWCA has had a Danville presence since 1904.

The YWCA was a place where parents knew their daughters could stay and be safe “after they moved to the big city,” she said.

While the YWCA and the YMCA offer similar programs, Jiranek said they aren’t identical organizations.

Jiranek pointed to the YWCA’s emphasis on eliminating racism and health programs that are specific to the needs of women. She said you’re not going to find the professional level of exercise equipment at the YWCA, among other factors.

Gazetta Logan said YWCA offers programs to help youth and families be healthy and live better. She hopes to see a number of programs offered during the day if the Y can reopen.

“The Y is something more than just a place to swim,” she said.

“Tita” Escario recalled moving to Danville in the late 1970s, and how the YWCA offered a health program on the types of treatment women could get for menapause.

Escario said the YWCA was an open door for people new to Danville and it offered programs to help them feel as if they belonged.

“You can come to the YWCA and you’re always welcome,” she said.

Escario said a lot of the new professional families who moved to Danville, but who were not originally from the U.S., considered the YWCA their second home. They were made to feel welcome and to know more about their new community.

The International Club met at the YWCA and out of it came Americans By Choice, Escario said. She talked about the days when families would put on program about their particular heritage with such favorites folk dances and food.

Jiranek said Danville’s Church Women United came out of the YWCA. The group is made of women from different religious beliefs across the city.

Organizers hope to bring back the newcomers program and a singles programs for men and women of all ages. Jiranek said it would be difficult to have day care at the YWCA because of space requirements.

If anyone is interested in helping the YWCA reopen, call Jiranek at 793-2987 or make contributions in care of P.O. Box 1066, Danville, Va. 24543