EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Eve McCray
Nominated by Rachelle Hannoush, Director of Youth, Violence Prevention, and Court Support Programs
“You’re never too young to lead.” – Kofi Annan
At age 24, Eve McCray is the youngest leader at the YWCA. Self-assured, quietly intelligent, and wise beyond her years, Eve has been with the YWCA since January 2025.
“Eve is an exceptional team member and a dedicated hard worker,” said Rachelle Hannoush, Director of Youth, Violence Prevention, and Court Support Programs. “She leads with integrity, uplifts those around her, and creates spaces where both staff and participants feel supported and valued. Eve takes initiative, embraces challenges, and is deeply committed to continuous growth and improvement.”
As the Violence Prevention Supervisor for the Healthy & Empowering Relationships Education (H.E.R.E.) Project, Eve leads the day-to-day operations of the program and supervises a team of instructors who teach violence prevention curriculums to youth ages 12-18.
“My work focuses on coordinating with schools and youth-serving organizations to provide education on human trafficking prevention, bystander intervention, and relationship dynamics,” said Eve. “Additionally, I provide semi- and quarterly reporting for grant funders and teach our three prevention curricula directly to youth throughout the community.”
An American International College (AIC) alum, Eve graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in public health. Furthermore, this Fall, Eve will be pursuing a master’s degree in health policy and management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Prior to working at the YWCA, Eve interned with the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Added Eve, “Through my education and experiences, I understand how essential nonprofit organizations are in supporting the health and well-being of our communities.”
Eve learned about the YWCA, her junior year at AIC, when staff visited campus to provide resources and a bystander intervention workshop for students. Eve added that witnessing the YWCA’s community outreach and impact “inspired me to pursue a position with this organization because of the meaningful and lasting difference the organization makes in people’s lives.”
“Every day, I am grateful for the opportunity to build connections across the community and provide violence prevention education to youth in Hampden County,” said Eve. “Having teachers, program directors, and schools write and speak to me about the positive impact the H.E.R.E. Project has had on their youth motivates me to continue my work and be committed to making a difference in the communities I grew up in.”
