AREA ACCOLADES
YWCA hosts 20th annual Resourceful Women’s Luncheon
COLONIE, N.Y. » The 20th annual Resourceful Women’s Luncheon was held at the Albany Marriott on Wolf Road on Tuesday afternoon. The event benefits the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc., located in Troy.
Honored at the event as its 2019 Resourceful Woman of the Year was Daquetta P. Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Administration at the New York State Department of Civil Service.
Before her appointment in April, Jones served as Executive Director for more than five years at the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. in Troy.
“It is an honor to be here today among all of you as the 2019 Resourceful Woman of the Year. To recognize and honor the woman of inspiration, 14 resourceful women, two young girls on a mission in the community, all while supporting YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, an organization I love and I led as the Executive Director for over five years,” Jones said.
Jones, who possesses
nearly 20 years of human services experience and 11 years in leadership, dedicated her speech to her recently deceased brother Chad Jones and all of the women served at the YWCA.
Jones, spoke to the gathered audience about her life experiences and overcoming obstacles, including being a single mother, homelessness, and domestic violence. She implored those on hand as she did herself to “keep going.”
“I am so grateful for having a purpose and having a heart to serve, contribute to addressing issues in the community and doing it all with love, with passion and integrity, no matter how hard it was or is, “keep going,” Jones said.
“I encourage you to defy the odds in your circumstances. Don’t allow anyone to interrupt your goals, your vision, your passion, your why in dreams. Thank you for joining me on this journey, I extend my love and appreciation to you and I encourage you to be empowered, empower others and always smile no matter what, keep going,” Jones added.
Since its inception in 1883, the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. has functioned as one of the area’s largest supporters or providing housing to homeless single women and women with children. Plus, the organization also helps with economic empowerment, homelessness prevention, food security and supportive services and programs, housing 104 women and 50 children daily. In addition, the organization is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.