Founded in 1868, the YWCA of Western Massachusetts has served our region for more than 150 years, guided by its founding principle to provide shelter, support services, and tools for self-sufficiency for women and girls in our community. Today, the YWCA of Western Massachusetts is one of the largest of the 300 local YW Associations in the United States, providing support to nearly 2,000 individuals annually. The YW exists to fulfill its mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
The fifth largest YWCA in the country
Expansive offerings
The YW serves individuals and families in the region through programs offered from several sites, including locations in Holyoke, Northampton, Springfield, and Westfield. The YW also operates an 11-acre campus at 1 Clough Street in Springfield that provides shelter to battered women and their children in a modern facility with state-of-the-art computerized security.
Current programming includes workforce development, domestic violence/sexual abuse (DV/SA) counseling and advocacy, parent and youth support, human trafficking support, homelessness services, court advocacy, medical advocacy, supervised visitation, and a 24/7 DV/SA crisis hotline. Additionally, given its longstanding history and leadership in the area, the YWCA has a well-established network of providers that can provide out-of-scope services to clients.
Client-centered approach
The YW prioritizes a trauma-informed, client-centered approach that reduces as many barriers as possible. In working with survivors, the YW utilizes a minimalist approach, giving agency back to the survivor and empowering them as the experts of their lives. Collaborative planning clearly outlines the client’s goals and preferences, and then the support, resources, and tools provided help survivors get to the desired destination.
Leadership that reflects the diversity of those served
The YW leads by example, hiring Hampden County women, many of whom hold multiple marginalized identities. A common practice at the YW is to promote from within. We prioritize the creation of a workforce that reflects the multi-racial, multi-ethnic, richly diverse region. The agency’s Board of Directors, leadership team, and direct service staff represent the community served. Among the agency’s 145 employees, 71 percent identify as persons of color, many of whom hold leadership positions. The current structure also includes persons with lived experience at every level. This sets a powerful precedent, giving a platform to previously disempowered persons to make meaningful changes across the individual and community levels.
Executive Team
Amber Connors
Vice President of Grants and Program Compliance
Diana Guzman, PHR
VP of Human Resources
Branden Stack
Director of Facilities
Leadership Team
Amber Estelle
Director of Survivor Advocacy and Outreach Programs for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Human Trafficking
Lisandra Mayonet
Director of Teen Residential Services
Yhidda Ocasio, MA, LMHC
Director of Youth, HIV, and Court Support Programs
Rosalyn Rodriguez
Director of Holyoke Residential Program for Teens
Luis Santiago
Shelter Director
Misamaris Santiago
Director of Supportive Housing Program
YWCA is on a Mission
The YWCA of western Massachusetts is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Kim Casineau
Owner, The Coating House
VICE-PRESIDENT
Natasha Mckay, M.D., FAANS,
Mercy Medical Center Neurosurgeon
TREASURER
Christina Lovelace
Owner, Lovelace Design
SECRETARY
Ashley Lozo
Office Manager/Surgical Assistant for Dr. Jason Boch
GOVERNANCE CHAIR
Dawn Rodgers
Landmark Realtors – Agent
Brittany Deronde, Ph.D.
Chemist, Product Development, OMG INC.
Nikki Hay
Supervisor, Department of Children and Families
Eileen Leahy, J.D.
Comcast, Government & Regulatory Affairs
Kaitlyn MacLeod
Assistant Director of Major Gifts—Siena College
Divya Mudumba, DMD
Gina O’Neill
Paralegal/Nurse Manager Law Offices of Francis Bloom
Maria A. Serrazina
Principal, Indian Orchard Elementary School
Finance Committee
Patrick Egan
Marcia Haas
Christina Lovelace
Flavia McCaughey
Mary Meehan
Andrew Wall
Elizabeth G. Dineen, J.D.
National YWCA
YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. They’ve been on the forefront of the biggest issues of the day for 160 years: from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, and from violence prevention to health care reform. You are a crucial part of this work. They make it easy for you to take action and be heard on issues of gender and racial inequality. Whether it’s writing your elected officials or educating your community, the YWCA USA shows you how to take simple, tangible steps.