Organize Your Butterflies

Catcalls of NYC is a grassroots initiative that uses public chalk art to raise awareness about gender-based street harassment. In this episode, host Alejandra Y. Castillo chats with founder of the movement, Sophie Sandberg, discusses the origins of the movement, the art of chalking, feminism, and taking the conversation about harassment internationally. The goal? To spur dialogue, provide a platform for story sharing, and promote cultural change. Follow CatCalls of NYC Instagram @catcallsofnyc to read powerful stories from brave individuals and to learn how to start a CatCalls movement in your city.

Sexual harassment, abuse, and assault are serious and widespread issues that are often used to instill fear, humiliate, or punish; destroy lives, families, and communities; or enforce power dynamics. These previously taboo issues have now been put in the public spotlight and have sparked many new and important conversations due to the #MeToo movement’s widespread influence around the world. In this episode, Dani Ayers is the Chief Executive Officer of The ‘Me Too.’ Movement, talks about interrupting and eradicating sexual violence to empowering survivors of sexual assault, supporting and activating survivors, and the future of the movement. Be sure to follow #MeToo. movement on Twitter at @MeTooMVMT and join in on the conversation using #MeToo. Learn more about YWCA resources for survivors of gender-based and sexual violence by visiting our website at ywca.org. This episode also spotlights the work of YWCA Bucks County. Executive Director, Guillaume Stewart talks about the ways this local association shows up to provide food pantries, housing resources, computer classes, and so much more for their local community.

The Allstate Foundation's Moving Ahead Curriculum has made significant strides to serve survivors of GBV who need support when it comes to financial empowerment. In this special edition episode of Organize Your Butterflies, Host Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA chats with Madeline Gregory, Philanthropy Manager, the Allstate Foundation and Linda Ellis-Williams, Director of Programs, YWCA Central Virginia, on how this program is providing clear and measured results for survivors who so desperately need it during the most vulnerable moments in their lives. For more information on the Allstate Foundation's curriculum, check it out at https://allstatefoundation.org/what-we-do/end-domestic-violence/resources/. And be sure to follow along with YWCA Central Virginia's programming at https://www.ywcacva.org/what-we-are-doing/dvpp/!

Join expert guest, Dr. Joelle Simpson, Medical Director of Emergency Preparedness, Program Director of Emergency Medical Services for Children - D.C. Program, and Emergency Medicine Physician at Children's National Hospital, and host, Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO of YWCA USA, as they explore how COVID-19 is affecting children, this back-to-school season, and communities of color. Listen in as the two discuss: how the virus displays in children; paying special attention to a child’s mental health during this particularly isolating time; how to be a responsible partner in your community; and how the virus is disproportionately impacting communities of color. Dr. Simpson also talks about her passion for healthcare, and her advice for aspiring women of color looking to break into the medical profession. For more information on Dr. Simpson, visit https://childrensnational.org/visit/find-a-provider/joelle-simpson and be sure to check out Children's National Hospital for more information on how they're keeping their community - and country - healthy through ground-breaking research, patient care, and partnering with their neighbors.

If we are to ever achieve a world where justice...just is, it’s essential that we start with the top of our justice system: the courtrooms themselves. And, a major barrier to justice within the court-system is the actual representation of judges on the bench. Join Russell Feingold, President of the American Constitution Society and former Senator of Wisconsin, and Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO of YWCA USA, as they discuss the importance of law-accessibility, creating a pipeline for more diverse judges through law school recruitment, and the movement to reclaim the legal system for all people. For more information on the ACS, check out https://www.acslaw.org/, and be sure to follow Russell on Twitter @russfeingold!

In the wake of the murder of 20-year old Vanessa Guillen, an Army specialist, the military has faced an immense amount of scrutiny in how they investigate gender-based violence. In response to cries for accountability, a group of former members of the armed services have banded together to seek justice for Vanessa and her family to hold the military accountable for their inaction. Lucy C. Del Gaudio, Melissa Bryant, and Lindsay Church speak with Alejandra Y. Castillo on how they are advocating for Vanessa and providing a new blueprint for proper investigation of gender-based violence reports within the armed services. As calls for transparency and accountability increase, these women are leading the way to achieve justice, and making history along the way. Please follow along @LadyDelDJ, @mabryant256 @lkmchurch , and contribute to the conversation to demand using the hashtag #JUSTICEFORVANNESSAGUILLEN on Twitter. For more information on what YWCA is doing to support survivors of gender-based violence visit https://www.ywca.org/what-we-do/domestic-and-sexual-violence-services/.

As summer 2020 has certainly shown through the Black Lives Matter protests and increased calls for community and national accountability when it comes to justice, the power of community investment has shown that when we invest in our neighbors, we invest in the health and safety of our communities. This mindset and practice inspired the team at YWCA Greater Baton Rouge to develop a Community Bail Fund to help-out members of their community who are arrested with nonviolent offenses after an incident of police brutality in their community. Through national attention from Colin Kaepernick and the Robert F. Kennedy Fund Know Your Rights Camp, YWCA Greater Baton Rouge has pushed the boundaries on what it means to be a community leader and partner in this nation’s quest for actionable justice. Listen in as Dianna Payton, CEO of YWCA Greater Baton Rouge and Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA discuss the importance of community bailout funds, the transformational power of bailouts, and how local nonprofits can have impact on national discourse and lead the wave of change to dismantle systemic racism.  For more information on YWCA Greater Baton Rouge, be sure to follow them on Instagram @ywcagbr.

This episode of Organize Your butterflies features a vibrant and educational conversation between Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA and Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche. Tiffany is an expert financial educator and has helped thousands of women understand their finances, build wealth, and understand the fundamentals of financial wellness. In honor of Black Women's Equal Pay Day, we're grateful to have Tiffany's insight on The Black Tax and why it is harder for Back women to achieve financial equity. For more information on Tiffany, be sure to follow her @TheBudgetnista on all platforms, and check out her new book "Happy Birthday Mali More"!

Balancing the demands of motherhood has never been easy. This is especially evident as moms and mom-like figures perform the ultimate balancing act during the COVID-19 crisis. America is witnessing the power of parenthood as women take control of their households to keep their families and communities safe. However, moms need resources and love too! Which is why Tanisha Hemphill founded “Black Mom Resource” as an online hub of advice, sisterhood, and celebration of the Black mom experience. Tanisha and Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA discuss the ways in which COVID-19 has presented extra challenges during this time and what moms can do to support and uplift one-another. Visit https://www.blackmomresource.com/ for more information and check out Tanisha's website https://www.tanishahemphill.com/!

This episode of Organize Your Butterflies explores how COVID-19 has affected low income communities across the country, and the ways in which community investment though (Community Development Financial Institutions) CDFIs is helping provide support during these challenging economic times. With their distinct niche as financial institutions with a mission driven bottom-line, CDFIs do so much more than just provide access to capital. Episode guest Maurice Jones, President of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) chats with Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO of YWCA USA about these important institutions, the significance of community investment, and the future of rebuilding commercial spaces in places where they’ve been historically overlooked. For more information on how LISC is helping out, be sure to check out their website and follow Maurice on Twitter @LISCMaurice!