LEWISTON – Members of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club will meet at noon Thursday, May 3, to hear a presentation by Anne F. Craigs, Executive director of the YWCA of Central Maine. Her topic will be “The YWCA is More Than Just a Pool.”

Craigs will speak about the programs offered by the YWCA and connect that to the mission of the organization – eliminating racism and empowering women.

The YWCA of Central Maine began in 1879 at the height of the industrial revolution with the purpose of providing housing, training and guidance to young women who came to the community to work in the mills.

Over the years, programming offered by the YWCA has evolved to adapt to community needs. Currently it employs 48 people, cares for 100 children a day, is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and operates an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Craigs came to the YWCA in August of 2005 after selling her ownership interest in the Employment Times, which she started in 1999 after leaving a 23-year banking career.

The club holds its weekly meetings at the Ramada Inn. Anyone wishing to hear the speaker or to learn more about Rotary is welcome to attend. Weekly buffet luncheons are $8 a person. Access the club’s Web site at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org for more information.