Fundraising concerns grow for YWCA as Covid-19 pandemic continues

October is a crucial fundraising month for ywca greater lafayette.

Like many non-profits, the organization has been hit hard by the covid-19 pandemic.

And this is only the beginning.

News 18's micah upshaw joins us live to tell us how leaders are coping.

Community fundraising is how they're hoping to cope.

October is typically a month full of fundraising for the ywca.

It's breast cancer awareness and domestic violence awareness month.

But this year it means more than it ever has before.

At: the month of october is always extremely important on a normal year.

This year in the middle of a pandemic, funding is absolutely crucial.

M: amber thurman is the senior director of the ywca's women's cancer program.

She says the non- profit is already seeing the long-term effects of covid-19.

A major donor for the cancer program had to hold back funding this year due to its own lack of fundraising.

At: we were defunded by the susan g.

Komen organization, they weren't able to award any community grants so that put us at $134,000 deficit.

M: now 134-thousand dollars out of funding, thurman says this month's virtual power of the purse fundraiser is more important than ever.

At: women in indiana need us the most, so we're really pushing strong with the power of the purse initiative and the team pink fundraisers and we are just really counting on the community coming together.

M: this fundraiser is split into three programs. the women's cancer program, the domestic violence service and persimmon service, which focuses on racial justice and empowering marginalized women.

Ab: if these resources aren't in the hands or in the abilities of those clients who need them, then serious complications or serious complications can arise.

M: ywca ceo allison beggs says she's confident, the community will help the organization stay afloat.

Ab: lafayette is one of the very best in the u.s. as far as supporting their non- profits and i'm confident they're going to come through.

The ywca kicked off its power of the purse fundraiser on october first.

The organization is hopingo raise 100- thousand dollars by the end of the month.

So far, they've reached 25-thousand dollars.

Reporting live in lafayette, micah upshaw news 18.

Tonight: mostly clear,