ready to start the conversation?

The Social Change Program is dedicated to preventing racism and
other forms of oppression in our community through education and support. By increasing youth civic engagement to eliminate racism and oppression, we can create respectful school environments and build inclusive communities. When we engage in the most challenging conversations we create amazing opportunities for growth and
change together.

We believe that when we examine our own individual beliefs and cultural values we can gain insights that help us make better decisions for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

what is racism? what is oppression?

Racism is the dominance of one racial group over another, resulting in hardship and injustice. Oppression is the same—the dominance of one group over another, resulting in hardship and injustice, although race is not necessarily a factor in oppression.

Through the ywca clark county Social Change Program, participants will explore their own beliefs and values regarding racism and oppression with the goal of achieving self-awareness. This exploration promotes deeper learning, life-changing opportunities, and community partnerships in which we define goals and principles together.

You or your groups may be interested in learning more by participating in our program, with offerings that span:

• Social Change Workshops
• Val Joshua Racial Justice Award
• Youth Social Justice Award

participate in the social change dialogue

Join our regular, free discussion groups on race issues and other forms of oppression. Conversations in the community is a brown bag lunch series designed to explore belief and value systems, promote deeper self awareness and strengthen our community. Steps toward eliminating racism is a recurring half day in-depth workshop that explores specific topics related to racism and oppression. Voices of women is available three times a year and includes networking a a panel presentation guided by women, their lives, and how their impact and involvement in social change dialog can create a more inclusive community.

Val Joshua Racial Justice Award

honoring our community

We give two awards to recognize people in our community who are working to end oppression. The Val Joshua Racial Justice Award, named for longtime ywca volunteer Val Joshua in honor of her commitment to and work for the elimination of racism, recognizes individuals and groups who are leaders in the struggle for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.

Past honorees are:

1989 Val Joshua
1991 Jim Belton and Joan Stout
1992 Dave Radke
1993 Jerry King and Leann Johnson
1994 Randy Wulff and Community AME Zion Church
1995 Florine DuFresne and Private Industry Council
1996 NAACP Vancouver Branch, Kim Chau Larson, and
Brian Willoughby
1997 DaVerne Bell and Harriet Levi
1998 Leonor Amaya-Brooks and Vernon Stoner
1999 Michelle Danley and Joyce Smith
2000 Patricia Guy and Greg Ford
2001 Karl Landerholm and Tanisha Harris
2002 Bob Moser
2003 Hewlett-Packard Vancouver
2004 Earl Ford and Diana Avalos
2005 Leilani Russell
2006 Dave Morris
2007 Jamie McCoy and Richard Twiss
2008 Mike Ciraulo and Rekah Strong

ywca Youth Social Justice Award

The ywca Youth Social Justice Award recognizes high school students (both individuals and groups) whose work has made a positive impact in Clark County.

Past honorees are:

2007 SOAR International
2008 Michelle Prothero

additional resources

ywca clark county works to eliminate racism and other forms of oppression through education and advocacy. Resources for eliminating racism and oppression are available through local, state and regional, national resources as well as from our policy statements. We also have 10 simple steps to eliminating racism available for reference.

If you have any questions about the Social Change Program, please contact Program Manager Michelle Hurdle-Bradford at 360 906 9129 or
mhurdlebradford@ywcaclarkcounty.org.