For former board member and longtime supporter Amane AbdelJaber, supporting the YWCA has always been deeply personal. “The YWCA is dedicated to helping underrepresented groups in our community by uplifting them,” she says, a mission that closely reflects her own life’s work.

Having lived in Worcester County for most of her life, Amane has witnessed the impacts of war, oppression, and poverty firsthand. Those experiences shaped her commitment to public service and community advocacy. Over the years, she has worked with several nonprofit organizations, spent 20 years with the Attorney General’s Office, and managed a statewide program focused on restoring vacant housing across the Commonwealth. For more than six years, she also helped guide the YWCA as a member of its Board of Directors.

For Amane, giving back has never been about short-term involvement. It is about building something meaningful that continues to support others long after you move on. “Giving back is a long-term commitment,” she explains. Whether through creating uplifting programs, advocating for families, or helping establish safe spaces where people feel seen and supported, Amane believes lasting change happens through sustained care and connection.

That belief was reinforced during one of the most difficult moments in recent history: the COVID-19 pandemic. While many organizations and businesses were forced to close their doors, the YWCA recognized that families still needed support, especially access to affordable, reliable childcare. “The YWCA opened its doors in these tough times,” Amane recalls. At a time when so much of the world felt uncertain, she witnessed the organization step forward to meet the community’s needs with compassion and determination.

For Amane, that moment captured the heart of the YWCA’s mission: dedicated staff and leaders working tirelessly to help individuals and families navigate challenges while creating opportunities to thrive.

Amane’s story is a reminder that lasting impact is built through consistent support, compassion, and community. Her dedication continues to inspire others to invest in the people and programs that strengthen Worcester for generations to come. https://ywcacm.org/donate/