“Believe in Three.” That personal mantra has become a guiding force in the life and leadership of YWCA CEO Wendy Waters-Connell—illuminating a path first lit by someone who believed in her when she needed it most.
“I grew up in challenging circumstances at home,” she shares. “My life changed because of amazing teachers, [especially] Mrs. Stephanie Darbyshire, who told me I could have a different life.”
As a freshman teetering between uncertainty and possibility, Waters-Connell confided in her teacher.
She told Darbyshire, “I don't have enough money to go to college, and I'm not smart enough.”
Darbyshire’s compassionate response shifted everything. She urged Waters-Connell to dream beyond her circumstances and promised they would find a way forward.
“She told me, ‘We will find the money, just work hard,’ and that changed my whole life,” Waters-Connell recalls.
Today, as a leader, mentor and advocate, Waters-Connell strives to pay that generosity forward—threefold. She strives to return three times the support she once received, hoping its impact ripples outward to uplift even more women.
Waters-Connells’s Native American roots shaped her perspective on community and service. A seasoned nurse and experienced administrator, she spent decades leading elder care initiatives before her husband nudged her to apply for CEO of the YWCA—her retirement dream job.
“I read the job description, cried because it felt so aligned and applied. That was seven years ago,” she recalls.
Under Waters-Connell’s leadership, the YWCA has undergone significant transformation. With the dedication of its board members, they secured funding to build a new state-of-the-art campus, expanding their ability to serve those in need.
The organization’s mission is carried out through three core programs: a domestic violence crisis hotline and shelter, permanent housing for 45 disabled and chronically homeless individuals and racial justice initiatives focused on youth abuse prevention, empowerment and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the Black community.
“All our programs serve some of the most vulnerable women and children in our community,” Waters-Connell explains. “This is especially true for the domestic violence shelter and crisis hotline.”
While the YWCA’s housing program is open to everyone, 15 units are specifically dedicated to women who have experienced trauma. Women who seek refuge at the YWCA often arrive with their children. They begin healing when they are connected to health and counseling services. Since the housing is temporary, the YWCA ensures families access job training and other essential resources to help them regain independence and safety.
The weight of the work is never lost on Waters-Connell. For her, the goal is always forward-driven. With a 24/7 operation and a staff of more than 20, safety is the top priority. Doors remain locked around the clock, a six-foot privacy fence secures the perimeter, and Hamilton Police can be onsite within 30 seconds if needed.
Many victims of domestic violence don’t know where to turn for help. To reach them, the YWCA publicizes its crisis hotline number on stickers placed in public bathroom stalls, restaurants and other well-traveled areas, hoping victims will discreetly snap a photo or jot it down. Referrals also come from survivors and community-based advocates working in the court system or hospitals.
“We work just like the Underground Railroad,” Waters-Connell says. “This is a national network, so we take survivors from all over the country and keep them safe.”
While domestic violence support is at the heart of the YWCA’s work, its racial justice initiatives are equally critical, addressing the systemic disparities that disproportionately impact communities of color.
“We will keep doing the work until institutions are transformed,” she says, “until the world sees women, girls, Black, Indigenous and People of Color the way we do—equal, powerful, unstoppable. In the end, we hope to put ourselves out of business—because if we’re no longer needed, it means racism is no longer a thing and women are empowered in every space.”
Although 90% of the YWCA’s funding comes from grants, public and private donations remain vital. The organization also partners with local nonprofits that donate clothing and personal care products.
To get involved or contribute, visit YWCAHamilton.org.