YWCA Austin wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd. We stand with the Minneapolis and St. Paul community. Yet again, we are outraged by the violence against and murder of people of color in America due to police brutality.
We also wish to highlight the contrast of the treatment of protesters of COVID-19 stay -at-home orders, who were primarily white, and were allowed to march into state capitols across the country with weapons. In the last few days, we have witnessed the use of violent containment methods, such as rubber projectiles and tear gas, in cities across the country, including here in Austin.
Here in Austin, we will continue to work toward equity and change as we have for the past 112 years. Our counselors and care coordinators are here to provide (virtual) trauma-informed care for our community as events evolve. We will continue to provide relevant trainings and hold space for conversations in our racial dialogue sessions. You are our community and we are here with you.
From YWCA National:
Together with YWCA Minneapolis and YWCA St. Paul, and over 200 YWCAs across the country we unite to answer the cry for justice, peace, and dignity for all. YWCA continues to call for dismantling systemic racism and equal protection and opportunity under the law through its public policy and advocacy work.
Alejandra Y. Castillo, CEO, YWCA USA states, “We are outraged by the callous killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police Department officer – and similarly appalled by the inaction of three other officers who stood by watching as George Floyd endured unspeakable suffering,” Ms. Castillo continued “ But addressing this specific incident alone won’t be enough to prevent future incidents of police violence against Black people, and people of color in America. Our country’s failure to address institutional racism is costing lives. Racism is why coronavirus is killing more people of color than white people. Racism is why police shootings are a leading cause of death for young Black men. Racism is why Black mothers die more frequently in childbirth. Racism has no place in the America we all deserve.”
At YWCA, we demand a world of equity and human decency. We envision a world of opportunity. We commit ourselves to the work of racial justice. We will get up and continue to do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, until the world sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.
The YW Counseling and Referral Center (YWCRC) works to offer affordable culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health counseling and therapeutic support groups for women, couples, families, and children.
We understand that during this time there is an unsourmountable amount of trauma response to the many challenges we are all facing right now. We work with intergenerational trauma at the individual, community and systemic level.
We are here to support you and currently providing mental health services within a weeks time. Call and make an appointment at (512) 326-1222.
