Ywca

The local YWCA -- traditionally run by women -- has turned over to 23 men the task of planning a party -- an October gala at the Crofton Country Club for the benefit of domestic violence programs and services.The unusual advisory committee -- Men Against Domestic Violence -- began meeting last month to plan the 1999 YWCA Week Without Violence campaign Oct. 17-23. The weeklong public awareness campaign will begin Oct. 15 with La Fiesta de la Familia, a Celebration of Family, at the country club.

CHICAGO -- The words come from a manuscript called "From One Volunteer to Another," the reminiscences of an unnamed early worker at Association House, which celebrated its 100th birthday this month.The author of "From One Volunteer to Another" goes on to explain the concept of settlement houses, places such as Jane Addams' slightly earlier, somewhat better-known Hull House. They were outposts of the American way of life in immigrant neighborhoods, places and people offering the vocational, language and citizenship classes that would help "foreigners" fully share in the promise of this nation.

Lena York Roth, a devout, soft-spoken activist from New York who became a key official for the Young Women's Christian Association in Baltimore during the 1960s, died Wednesday at Wilson Health Care Center in Gaithersburg. She was 93.Mrs. Roth directed the International Center of the YWCA in East Baltimore -- which provided social activities and immigration services for thousands of women -- from 1959 until her retirement in 1970. She lived the past 29 years at Asbury Methodist Village in Montgomery County.

Noting a shortage of funds, the YWCA of Greater Baltimore said yesterday that it can no longer afford to run its 33-bed family homeless shelter in the 12000 block of Reisterstown Road, one of two homeless shelters for families in the county. Baltimore County officials said they plan to keep the shelter open, that none of the more than 30 residents will be put out on the street and that they will find another operator after the YWCA vacates the county-owned property at the Hannah More complex June 30. "We're in the process of looking for a replacement to operate that facility on an interim basis while we find a permanent operator," said Maureen Robinson, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore County Department of Social Services.

Printing company to move operations to Glen BurnieThe Piedmont Group, a commercial printing company, recently signed a lease with HMC Limited Partnership for 45,000 square feet of industrial space at 6711 Bay Meadow Drive in Glen Burnie.The company, which currently operates from locations in Towson and Hyattsville, will use the facility to consolidate operations.BWI career fair to include workshops and companiesA career fair will be held from noon to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the International Pier at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Tribute to Women of Color Awards from the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County were handed out yesterday in Annapolis to 17 recipients.Mary C. Brown of Annapolis won the Good Samaritan Award. She has been active in First Baptist Church as the director of Christian education. In 1945, she was the first African-American full-time guidance counselor at Bates High School.Aliceteen Wade of Annapolis won the Service to Youth Award. She organized the "little Doorkeepers" for children from age 4 who usher and participate in church and community activities.

YWCA offers program on home-based businessThe YWCA of Anne Arundel County is sponsoring a program on home-based businesses for the 21st century from 6: 30 p.m. to 8: 30 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday at the YWCA, Career Services, 1517 Ritchie Highway, Arnold.The event is designed to help people discover if they have an entrepreneurial personality. Business owners will discuss time management and business plans and how to start a home-based business.The program is free to current YWCA Career Service clients or $40 for nonmembers.

Networking breakfast set for Severna Park clubThe Anne Arundel Trade Council's monthly Power Breakfast Network will meet at 7: 30 a.m. Wednesday at Chartwell Golf and Country Club in Severna Park.The event includes informal networking and breakfast as well as presentations by three trade council members.The cost is $20 at the door and $25 for nonmembers.Information and reservations: 410-757-6709 or 410-974-4402.YWCA offers career help to single parents, othersYWCA Career Services is offering services for single parents and low-income homemakers interested in pursuing job training.

YWCA dinner to honor women's achievementsThe YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County will hold the annual Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) dinner Thursday to honor county women for achievements in business.This year's TWIN program is sponsored by Merck & Co.Anne Arundel County businesses may submit the names of female employees in management or executive positions who have made significant contributions to their companies to the YWCA, 1517 Ritchie Highway, Arnold 21012.Information: 410-626-7800.

ASAFE, well-chaperoned place for high school students to meet on weekend nights besides the mall is becoming easier to find in Greater Severna Park.The first center devoted to teen-agers on Friday nights opened in late February: Woods Community Center's Holy Grounds Coffeehouse on Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard.On June 26, another Friday-night option for 13-to-18-year-olds will open with the resurrection of an old YWCA program popular in the 1960s and 1970s: the Toadstool Coffeehouse.The original Toadstool on State Circle in Annapolis was for adults only.