YWCA Canton Ohio

09/11/2026

We're just a few days away from on September 15, 2026!

As many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote or are unsure of their registration status.

Join us, , , partner organizations, businesses, and everyday Americans as we lift our collective voice to remind our neighbors to make sure they’re ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Check your status or register for the first time at: https://www.vote411.org/YWCA

09/10/2026

Save the date! We’re proud to celebrate an incredible leader! 💜

Congratulations to Janelle Milton Lee, CEO of YWCA Canton, who will be honored with the Women’s Leadership Award at the She Elevates Annual Awards Gala 2026!

Janelle’s leadership, dedication and commitment to creating meaningful change continue to make a lasting impact on the individuals, families and communities we serve. This recognition is a wonderful reflection of her passion for empowering others and leading with purpose.

Join us in congratulating Janelle on this well-deserved honor! 🎉

The She Elevates Annual Awards Gala will take place on October 8, 2026, at La Pizzaria Piazza Banquet Room in Canton.

Learn more about the gala and this year’s honorees: https://sheelevates.org/event/she-elevates-annual-awards-gala-2026/

09/08/2026

Please join us in welcoming Serena Draper Hendershot to the YWCA Canton Board of Directors!

A Stark County native, veteran, and dedicated community leader, Serena has spent more than a decade building partnerships that strengthen our community and advocating for those whose voices too often go unheard. Throughout her career, she has championed health equity, supported survivors of abuse, mentored local youth, and created opportunities that empower women and families.

Today, Serena serves as a Client Manager at Schauer Group, Inc., while continuing her commitment to service through leadership roles in our community, including St. Michael Schools, the Ohio Collaborative to Prevent Infant Mortality, and her women's empowerment initiative, WHOLEstically HER.

"I’m honored to serve on the YWCA Canton Board of Directors and support an organization whose mission of eliminating racism and empowering women reflects the values that have guided my work throughout my life."

Serena's passion for equity, advocacy, and creating meaningful change has earned her numerous recognitions, including the Canton Regional Chamber's Twenty Under 40 Award, Women's Impact, Inc.'s Rising Star Award, and Soroptimist International of Canton's Ruby Award for Women Helping Women.

We're excited to have Serena's leadership, experience, and heart for service helping advance YWCA Canton's mission. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!

09/03/2026

Please join us in welcoming Delayna Durr to the YWCA Canton Board of Directors!

Delayna is an attorney with Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths, & Dougherty Co., L.P.A., and brings a strong commitment to service, advocacy, and community to our organization. Throughout her career, she has volunteered with Community Legal Aid clinics in Stark and Cuyahoga counties. She has also dedicated her time to volunteering with Akron Law Cares and the Autism Society of Greater Akron.

"I'm excited to serve on the YWCA Canton Board of Directors and support an organization that empowers women, strengthens families, and works to eliminate racism."

When she's not practicing law or giving back to the community, Delayna enjoys reading, shopping, and yoga.

We're grateful to have Delayna's passion, leadership, and dedication helping advance YWCA Canton's mission.

Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!

09/02/2026

We’re proud to share some exciting news for children and families across Stark County! 💙

YWCA Canton has received a $3,825,915 federal grant to support our Early Head Start programming and provide year-round child care and family support services for infants and toddlers.

This investment will help us continue creating opportunities for children to learn, grow and thrive while supporting parents and caregivers as they build stronger futures for their families.

We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Emilia Sykes for her support and to our board, staff, child care partners and community partners who make this important work possible every day.

Together, we are building a stronger community—one child, one family and one future at a time. 💙

Read more about the announcement: https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-sykes-announces-38-million-grant-for-ywca-cantons-early-head-start-program

The Official U.S. Congressional website of Congresswoman Emilia Sykes

08/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming Tasha R. Ledrich to the YWCA Canton Board of Directors!

Tasha brings more than 30 years of leadership experience and a lifelong commitment to serving others. As the Volunteer and Guest Experience Supervisor at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, she helps connect volunteers with meaningful opportunities to make a difference across our community.

A graduate of Leadership Stark County's Signature Program, Tasha holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology/Social Work and a Master of Science in Recreation Administration. Her passion for community engagement and servant leadership makes her a wonderful addition to the YWCA Canton Board.

"I'm excited to further serve our community through my role on the YWCA Canton Board of Directors and support an organization that creates opportunities, empowers women, and strengthens families."

When she's not serving the community, Tasha enjoys spending time with her family, and admits she's always curious to try a new barbecue sauce!

We're grateful for Tasha's experience, heart for service, and dedication to building a stronger community. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!

08/27/2026

We love our partners and neighbors!

YWCA Canton is incredibly grateful to ICAN Housing and The Hoover Foundation for their collaboration, coordination, purchase and installation of beautiful park benches for our park.

These benches are more than just a place to sit—they create welcoming spaces for our neighbors to gather, connect, and have a strong sense of belonging within our community. 

Thank you ICAN and The Hoover Foundation for all that you do and for your continued partnership with YWCA Canton.

Together, we are moving our Missions Forward.

08/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Shower Bus Community Welcome! ❤️

We’re so grateful to everyone who came out to welcome the Caravan of Love Shower Bus to our community and celebrate the essential services it will provide to our neighbors in need.

From showers and clothing to meals and supportive services, this mobile resource is about more than meeting basic needs — it’s about providing dignity, compassion and community.

A special thank-you to our partners at Caravan of Love, SARTA, Refuge of Hope Ministries, Friends in Tents, and to the City of Canton for helping make this important resource possible.

Together, we’re helping our neighbors take the road to a better tomorrow. ❤️🧡

08/26/2026

🎪 What a day of fun, laughter, and community! ❤️

Thank you to everyone who joined us for YWCA Canton’s Carnival Fun Fair! From games and activities to plenty of smiles and laughter, it was wonderful to see our community come together and enjoy a day filled with fun.

We’re grateful to everyone who helped make the event possible—and especially to all of you who came out to celebrate with us. Your support helps YWCA Canton continue creating opportunities that bring people together and strengthen our community.

We’re already looking forward to the next one! 🎠✨

08/25/2026

Hope to see you there!

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow as we bring this valuable resource to our community.