NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) — More than 1,000 friends and supporters of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee gathered at the Music City Center on Tuesday, April 11 to hear stories of inspiration, education, and empowerment. The YWCA Spring Breakfast reminds the community of the life-changing and life-saving programs provided by the 119-year old nonprofit. More than $320,000 was raised in just one hour to support the YWCA.
“The Nashville community relies on the YWCA to provide critical services to those in need,” said YWCA President and CEO Sharon K. Roberson. “Thanks to the incredible generosity displayed at our Spring Breakfast, we can continue to keep women and girls safe, educated, and offer them opportunities to succeed.”
Maplewood High School Junior Amya Kincaid spoke about challenges high school brings to teenage girls, and how her involvement the YWCA’s youth programs, Girls Inc. and jk livin, are helping prepare her for college and adulthood. Client speakers from the Domestic Violence Services Program and Family Literacy Center shared powerful stories of survival and achievement.
“The work we do is vital to Nashville and Middle Tennessee, and this breakfast is foundational to the success of our work,” said Hannah Paramore Breen, YWCA board member and Spring Breakfast producer. “Our goal is to extend the reach, understanding and support for the YWCA by showing the community the impact we are having on people’s lives.”
Mayor Megan Barry, a former YWCA board member, offered opening remarks and emphasized the importance of the YWCA’s Weaver Domestic Violence Center and the newly implemented Lethality Assessment Protocol. TSU Head Men’s Basketball Coach and current YWCA board member Dana Ford spoke about the MEND program and why teaching boys and young men healthy masculinity is key to reducing violence against women.
Ninety individuals stepped up to host tables, bringing friends and supporters to the breakfast. The Belmont Women’s Choir and Barbershop Harmony Society Singers performed. Generous corporate support was provided by presenting sponsor Comcast South, Nissan, LP Building Products, HCA/TriStar Health, and Lumina Foods.