YWCA St. Joseph

02/17/2026

Last week, YWCA Staff enjoyed Hazel's Coffee St. Joe for our February edition of LUNCH ON A MISSION!

Hazel's has been staple in St. Joseph since 1995, growing significantly in recent years. Heather Mitchell and her husband Randy purchased the business in 2020 and have since moved the anchor store to a new nearby location with a drive-thru, added a Downtown location in the American Electric Lofts, and launched a mobile coffee Winnebago and trailer for festivals, events, and more. The menu offers far more than just coffee and pastries. It's a great spot to grab breakfast, a lunchtime sandwich or wrap, and even energizing non-coffee concoctions. 😋🧋

Special Note: Due to high interest among staff, our order ended up a bit bigger than expected so we want to give Hazel's staff an extra shout-out. Thank you to Gracee at the Downtown location for giving excellent customer service and to Alex at the East Ridge location for putting the order together!



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About Lunch On A Mission:
Each month, we feature a local restaurant owned by women and/or underrepresented communities for a staff lunch as a meaningful extension of YWCA's mission to eliminate racism & empower women 🧡Follow along and support these eateries with us!

02/09/2026

Community Shout-Out – Rock Machine MC for your support this holiday season. Community partners like you help make sure our women and children feel supported, cared for, and remembered during a time that can be especially difficult.

We appreciate you standing with us

02/08/2026

We are incredibly thankful for the Echterling family (Cathy, Kevin, and kids) for the love and generosity they poured into our community this Christmas season.

Because of you, our women and children experienced the joy of opening gifts, families had access to essentials through our 2 for 2 Closet, and individuals moving into new homes were welcomed with household items that helped turn unfamiliar spaces into places of comfort and hope.

This wasn’t just about gifts — it was about dignity, stability, and reminding people that they are seen, valued, and not alone. Your compassion reached families at many different stages of their journey, and that kind of impact stays with people long after the holidays are over.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support and the heart you bring to our mission.

02/08/2026

Practical Support That Matters – Thank You to Lea Bradley and Linda Olson for donating accordion files for our Bliss families.

These files will help families safely store and organize important documents — something that may seem small, but makes a huge difference when rebuilding stability and independence.

Thank you for thinking about the details that truly matter.

02/08/2026

Central High School Class of 1973, Thank you for your generous and thoughtful donations to Bliss.

Your support included monetary donations, hygiene items, clothing, Christmas items, and household essentials to help individuals and families as they move into new homes.

This kind of long-standing community support truly makes a difference, and we are so grateful for your continued generosity and heart for giving back.

02/07/2026

A special thank you to Deb Wenzel for donating Christmas items, blankets, stockings, household items, and goodie bags for each Bliss adult this holiday season.

The purple bags — honoring Domestic Violence Awareness — were a beautiful and meaningful touch, reminding our women that they are seen, valued, and supported.

Your kindness helped keep our ladies warm in more ways than one.

02/07/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Toys for Tots for providing toys for the children at Bliss this Christmas.
Because of your generosity, our kids were able to experience the excitement, joy, and magic that every child deserves during the holidays. Seeing their smiles and excitement reminds us just how powerful community support can be.
Thank you for helping make Christmas brighter for our Bliss families.

02/07/2026

We want to extend a huge thank-you to Western Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center (WRDCC) and its Restorative Justice program for the incredible support they have shown Bliss this year — especially during the holidays.

Through Restorative Justice, crocheted stockings, and made a beautiful quilt. These gifts weren’t just items — they represented effort, accountability, and the desire to give back to the community.

They have truly been so good to us this year, and we are deeply grateful for the care and intention behind every single piece.

02/06/2026

Our friends at Benton High School Theatre are hosting another special One Act Play Night next week, just in time for Valentine's Day! Grab your sweetheart (or your bestie!) and enjoy an evening of incredible performances while supporting young artists.

🎟 Admission: One hygiene item per person, donated to our YWCA Shelter ❤️
📍 Location: BHS Auditorium
📅 Date: February 12-13

Come for the talent, stay for the love, and give back to a great cause! See you there 😁

02/06/2026

This Is What Heart Looks Like. The Pershing Student Council may have led the charge, but the entire Pershing school community carried it with love. Students, staff, and families came together for a Winter Weather Gear Drive, and because of that collective kindness, women and children at the YWCA will face the cold feeling warmer, safer, and truly remembered.

Every coat. Every hat. Every pair of gloves. Each one sends a simple but powerful message: you matter.

This wasn’t just a drive—it was compassion in action, teamwork at its best, and a school showing up for its community in the most meaningful way.

Pershing, you didn’t just donate winter gear. You gave comfort. You gave dignity. You gave hope. And that kind of heart stays warm long after winter ends. ❄

02/03/2026

This milestone year depends on sponsors stepping forward. Please help YWCA make Women of Excellence possible!

🧡 Women of Excellence is made possible year after year thanks to sponsors like YOU! We invite you to be a part of a milestone moment. For twenty-five years, this signature event has honored remarkable women while providing critical funding that allows YWCA to continue serving women, children, and families in our community. Please join us and let’s continue to make an impact TOGETHER!

✨Sponsoring this event can enhance your business visibilty and showcase your commitment to our community. Additionally, sponsorships and contributions of $100 or more are eligible for a 70% Missouri Domestic Violence Shelter Tax Credit (calculated on the contribution amount minus the value of any goods/services received, i.e. luncheon reservations, memorabilia, etc.)

https://www.ywcasj.org/events/women-of-excellence

02/02/2026

It's that time of the week again! Its our Most Needed Monday! 🎉

If you have additional questions, you can check out our new Most Needed Monday FAQ video! 📽