YWCA NH News

YWCA New Hampshire Names Interim Executive Director

For Immediate Release

YWCA New Hampshire Names Interim Executive Director

Manchester, NH – (July 11, 20224) YWCA New Hampshire’s Board of Directors have selected Caroline Catlender as their Interim Executive Directive.

“I’m excited to welcome Caroline as YWCA NH’s next leader,” said Board of Directors President Donna Sovie. “We believe she will advance our mission through her passionate leadership and dedication to empowering women and eliminating racism in our community. We are excited to support Caroline in this new role.”

Caroline will bring her innovative leadership as well as a demonstrated track record of commitment to issues key to the YWCA’s mission to this role. Caroline has spent 20+ years working in Human Resource leadership roles focused primarily on small businesses and nonprofit organizations. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Billerica Alliance, a nonprofit business and community support organization and has worked for national brands including PUMA, Target and Estee Lauder.

In 2017, Caroline moved to New Hampshire, settling in the Manchester area, where she has provided human resource consulting services to several businesses and nonprofits. YWCA NH was one of her clients, giving both parties the opportunity to work together on key organization initiatives.

“I am thrilled to join the team at YWCA NH and lead the mission to empower women and eliminate racism,” says Caroline. “YWCA NH has undergone a number of changes in recent months and I see this as a great opportunity for us to re-connect with the community and determine where we can best fill the gaps. We are a state-wide agency so while our focus will be on the greater Manchester area, our reach will expand, in time, across New Hampshire.”

Caroline is a graduate of Boston University where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration. Growing up, she was educated at an all-girls school where she learned early the importance and impact of empowering young girls and young women to become the best versions of themselves. She has long been focused on community service having spent time on boards for Billerica Public

Library Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council. She served as the President of the Rotary Club of Billerica and spent years volunteering with the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange and Cambridge Family and Children’s Services.

ABOUT YWCA NH

YWCA NH is a nonprofit organization with the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Chartered in 1920, YWCA NH has a long and rich history of creating opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power through a common vision: promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Worldwide, the YWCA impacts more than 25 million people in over 120 countries. For information about the YWCA NH, visit our website, www.ywcanh.org

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REACH CRISIS SERVICES BECOMES STAND-ALONE PROVIDER

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2024
Contact: Caroline Catlender carolinec@ywcanh.org

Dear Valued Community Partners,

Since 1920 the YWCA New Hampshire (YWCA NH) has directed critical resources to meet the vast needs of our community. This focus continued into the 1960s, when a national convention urged YWCAs to empower women in leadership and community roles.

Today, YWCA NH carries on this mission through various social service programs. Despite evolving names and services, the commitment of the YWCA NH to address the needs of women and girls remains strong, echoing the enthusiasm of its founders.

As our communities grow and change, it is vital for nonprofits like ours to work with stakeholders to periodically assess the needs within our community and identify how the strengths of our organization can be used to make the greatest impact.

For many years, the REACH Crisis Services has been part of a network of 12 independent crisis centers under the umbrella of The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (The Coalition), all serving victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, human trafficking, and child abuse.

As an outcome of assessments and conversations with The Coalition conducted over several months, beginning July 1, 2024, REACH Crisis Services will operate separately from YWCA NH.

The Coalition and its network of programs are committed to a smooth transition to ensure that every victim and survivor in New Hampshire will continue to receive uninterrupted support. As part of that transition, Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support of Nashua will be taking the lead as the fiscal agent for REACH Crisis Services in Manchester.

During the month of July, services will be provided at the same location at YWCA NH and by the same staff.

Victims and survivors in the Greater Manchester area should continue to use REACH Crisis Services’ 24-hour helpline at 603-668-2299 or New Hampshire’s statewide helpline at 1-866-644-3574.

YWCA New Hampshire has been a vital resource in our community for more than 100 years, and we will continue to focus on meeting the diverse needs of girls, women, and families. Our commitment to the mission of empowering women and eliminating racism remains unwavering, and we look forward to continuing to serve and empower individuals and families in New Hampshire.

For more information on the YWCA New Hampshire and our programs, please contact us at 603-625-5785, email us at info@ywcanh.org or visit our website at www.ywcanh.org.

YWCA New Hampshire Board of Directors