I want to offer a public “thank you” to the YWCA of Central Maine for immediately responding to assist the homeless after Lewiston’s recent fires. The YW offered space for donations of clothes and household items and also provided a place for showers to those in temporary shelters.

Although the YWCA is not a designated disaster relief agency, the staff and volunteers mobilized to meet this emergency.

Thank heavens the YWCA remains alive in this community after it nearly closed in August of 2010. Through the donations of generous members of the community at that time, and the hard work of volunteers, the YWCA survived and continues to play a vital role in the community.

I am reminded of the history of the YWCA in the community, beginning in 1878. Once located on Pine Street, the YWCA served as a place for French-Canadian women to take English classes when they immigrated to the area, provided housing for women, and served as a place for women to receive support services, particularly during the war years. The present building on East Avenue has been the YW’s central location since 1971.

Also, since the 1970s, the National YWCA has prioritized working to eliminate racism and, just a few weeks ago, the Lewiston YWCA sponsored a “Stand Against Racism.”

The YWCA has always been so much more than a recreational agency.

I am so grateful that the YWCA continues to serve this community.

Marcia Baxter, Lewiston