Niagara Gazette
February 13, 2007
Safe at Home
By Michele DeLuca

NIAGARA FALLS — She was too young to have children. She knows that now. But she loves them too much for regret. And it’s really not her past that concerns her. It’s her future and theirs which holds her attention now.

Brandi is a 25-year-old resident of Carolyn’s House in Niagara Falls. Her last name cannot be used to protect her privacy, but one important note can be shared. Her life may have been saved by the support network available to her at Carolyn’s House, a residence for woman who are homeless or abused or simply out of luck.

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February 13, 2007
House director, staff provide recipe for success
By Michele DeLuca

Whenever Teresa Martinez helps a woman find a home, or when she guides a family toward a better life, she thinks of her mother.
Martinez is director of Carolyn’s House in Niagara Falls, a unique place where women and children can come to heal and grow. And she has a clear understanding of how important it is when someone extends a hand.
“I was raised in a single-parent home, and watched my mother work different jobs and struggle with issues of childcare and tight budgets,” she said recently during an interview at the house on Sixth Street.
“I think about how tired she must have been at 2 and 3 in the morning, when she was sewing clothes for us because she couldn’t afford to buy them,” Martinez remembers.

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   As a young girl living in the south, Khaleelah Shareef of Niagara Falls, remembers having to use a side entrance at a clinic instead of the front door. And when she went to the movies, she had to sit in the balcony area instead of the main theatre.
  Shareef has seen her share of racism and discrimination throughout her life and it’s those experiences that shape her commitment eliminate it.
  “Racism can fuel a society that will be motivated by hatred, hostility and danger, said Shareef, the YWCA of Niagara’s ambassador for the Stand Against Racism annual event. “It eventually will gnaw away and destabilize families and communities.”
  On Friday, Shareef, who works at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, will join the YWCA of Niagara and the YWCA of the Tonawandas along with several individuals and organizations throughout Niagara and Erie counties to take a Stand Against Racism.
   The Stand is a YWCA movement with a goal of bringing people together from all walks of life – across the country – to raise awareness that racism still exists and send a message that it won’t be tolerated. The Stand is held each year in April and will involve more than 60 other YWCA agencies throughout the country working closely with about 1,500 organizations that will cumulatively attract about 200,000 individuals in the annual event, according to Stand organizers.
  In Niagara County, individuals, school districts, students and faculty on area college campuses, businesses and municipalities will Stand together at various times throughout the day.
   In Gaskill, teacher Frank Coney has organized poetry and poster contests to mark the occasion. Faculty and staff will sign a pledge against racism and several displays will be set up at the school.
   At 10 a.m. April 30 on the Renaissance Bridge, North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt and Tonawanda Mayor Ron Pilozzi will proclaim the date as Stand Against Racism Day in the Tonawandas.
   In Lewiston, Mount St. Mary’s Hospital is inviting the public to come from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the lobby and sign a pledge against racism.
   Village of Lewiston Mayor William Geiben said he will be at the Freedom Crossing point from noon to 1 p.m. handing out Stand Against Racism buttons in honor of the event. 
  At 11:30 a.m., the YWCA of the Tonawandas will hold a Dialogues on Diversity Luncheon at its Tremont Street location, featuring a presentation by the National Federation for Just Communities.
   Each year, the local YWCAs tap an ambassador to speak on the issue and promote involvement throughout the community. The YWCA of the Tonawandas has asked Katherine Lucas to take on that challenge.
   Lucas said she experienced discrimination when she was young by watching how poorly people treated her father who immigrated to the U.S. as a result of World War II.
   “He learned a new language, new skills, and built a new life after losing everything – his family, his home, his country and his future – in the war,” said Lucas. “Despite his hard work, there were many instances of people treating him badly due to his accent. This from people who barely spoke their native language, much less the five languages he spoke. It always hurt, and was never understandable. I vowed to never behave like that and prevent such ignorance when I could.”
   Both ambassadors have some advice for young people on how to work toward eliminating racism and discrimination.
   “My message for young people is to arm yourself with the best education you can get,” Shareef said. “Have a willingness to work hard, be committed to self-discipline and self-respect and to always remember that knowledge is power.”
   Lucas said while young people seem more accepting of ethnic difference, there are still ways they can work to eradicate racism and discrimination.
   “My wish for young people is that they grow in acceptance, especially with new immigrants,” said Lucas. “The bias against foreigners, new Americans, is very widespread. I hope that we all grow in a desire for understanding and see how much more alike we are than we are different.”
    If young people are exposed to racism and/or discrimination, they should use the experience as a positive tool – a motivator to do well in their lives and commit themselves to make a difference for change.
   “Let it become your motivator to strive for excellence,” Shareef said.
  Anyone interested in signing up for the Stand Against Racism can do so at www.standagainstracism.org until Friday. Interested persons may also call the YWCA of Niagara at 716-433-6714 or the YWCA of the Tonawandas at 716-692-5580.
 

   The YWCA of Niagara's Niagara Award: A Tribute to Women will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at The Conference Center-Niagara Falls. Twenty women have been nominated in eight categories.

  Those nominated include: Charyl Antkowiak, Anna Barrett, Brooke Bodine, Maria Brown, Marianna Cantella, Kelsey Comstock, Dr. Lyn M. Dyster, Ph.D., Clara Kroetsch (Posthumous recognition), Susan Manfredo, Mary B. Montani, Mariska Raglow-DeFranco, Haley Richbart, Rosemary Rongo, Bonnie Rose, Ph.D., Brittany Sample, Deborah Schutt, Barbara Scirto Sullivan, Caroline Wojtaszek, and Virginia Wolbert.

    The co-chairs for this year's event are Jane Schroeder and Flora McKenzie, members of the YWCA of Niagara Board of Directors. In 2009, 32 women were nominated in eight categories that include Education, Entrepreneur, Front Line, Health and Human Services, Management, Public Service, Youth and Lifetime Achievement.
   For more information on the Niagara Awards: A Tribute to Women, call 716-433-6714.

Download Nomination Form

The Culinary Arts vocational class at Carolyn's House will feature its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November 16 at Carolyn's House, 542 6th St., Niagara Falls.

 The menu will feature corn chowder, potatoes au gratin, peas and pearl onions, Chicken Neptune, pineapple upside down cake, fresh brewed Columbian coffee, decaffeinated coffee and specialty teas with fresh lemons and honey. The cost of the lunch is $10 per person. All proceeds support the culinary arts program.

 Reservations are appreciated. Space is limited. To make reservations, call 278-9662, ext. 14.

For immediate release ………………..
Contact: Teresa Martinez
Director, Carolyn’s House
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
716-278-9662
716-807-1822 cell
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   Lockport, N.Y. (May 3, 2009)  The YWCA of Niagara received the 2009 Hallmark Initiative Award for Economic Empowerment from the YWCA USA for its program at Carolyn’s House.
   The YWCA of Niagara Carolyn’s House program was one of six finalists among YWCA agencies throughout the country recognized for having an exemplary model program in either racial justice or economic empowerment. Awards in the two categories were announced at the YWCA USA National Conference in Washington, D.C.