AEP Provides $10,000 for YWCA Wheeling Capital Campaign

As scaffolding lines the outside of their building, the YWCA became one step closer on Friday to completing their facility-upgrading Wheeling Capital Campaign thanks to a donation from American Electric Power.

​​The YWCA will cash a $10,000 check from AEP towards the $16.8 million worth of infrastructure updates to their century-old historic building on Chapline Street.

Noting the contribution will get them "a little closer" to the $1.8 million they have left to raise, YWCA Executive Director Lori Jones thanked community partners such as AEP for making sure they hit their goals on the project.

"This is the first really large project we've done, so I still have nervous days where I wonder if we’re going to make the goal, but the community has been a great support," said Jones. "AEP has been a great community partner for many, many years, and this is probably the most significant contribution they’ve made."

Noting that the YWCA's mission of giving a second chance to women survivors of domestic violence and abuse "lines up well" with their mission, AEP External Affairs Manager Erikka Storch explained the donation was made in collaboration with the AEP Foundation. The foundation's mission is to give back to organizations that support basic human needs in education.

Also serving on the Advisory Board for the YWCA, Storch added the organization was "near and dear" to her heart.

"Lori has done great things with this organization to try and provide at all levels for women and their families," noted Storch. "She's just really embraced the role and is trying to provide a second chance for women who need help."

This second chance will be made even better through the improvements the Capitol Campaign will provide for the YWCA building. Apart from increasing the number of single women and families who can stay at the building from 44 to 55, a new elevator, air conditioning, and updated plumbing and electricity will be installed. 18 restrooms will also be added.

The exterior of the building will also receive attention, with the deteriorated terracotta pieces on the roof being replaced. The building's bricks will be cleaned and repainted as well.

"Every piece of this building will be touched and reworked or at least painted and upgraded," said Jones. "It's a historic piece of property, so everything we do will stay true to the historic importance of the building as well."

Though the estimated end date of the project of November 2024 is still a ways away for the organization, with every update being done, Jones's excitement for the completed project goes. This excitement stems not only from her own happiness at being able to execute the project but also from the benefits women staying at the YWCA will receive.

"I'm of the mindset that just because someone has been traumatized or had negative things happen to them, they should be able to live and regroup in comfort," explained Jones. "This campaign will give those staying here the opportunity to do just that."