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USA Today
16 hours ago
- General
- USA Today
'This is American history:' See photos around the US as the nation celebrates Juneteenth
'This is American history:' See photos around the US as the nation celebrates Juneteenth It's the day the promise of freedom finally rang true for more Americans: Juneteenth was celebrated with joy and resolve throughout the United States in 2025. Show Caption Hide Caption Black coastal town celebrate history while fighting to preserve it Officials in Eagle Harbor, a Black coastal town in Maryland, reflects on its rich history and legacy ahead of Juneteenth. Across the United States on Thursday, June 19, Americans celebrated the federal holiday commemorating the day the last group of enslaved African Americans were informed they were free. The day, dubbed Juneteenth, reflects on a moment when the promise of freedom first enshrined in the Declaration of Independence became a reality for more of its citizens. In 2021, then-President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. It officially named the holiday that has been long celebrated by Black people and beyond with dancing, parades, ceremonies and historical reenactments. The holiday marks the date in 1865 – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation – that Major General Gordon Granger and 2,000 Union Army troops came to Galveston Bay, Texas, to proclaim freedom for more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state. This year's celebrations took place across the country, with the lessons of history as important as ever. 'This is American history': From Galveston to Concord, 5 communities keep Juneteenth stories alive Juneteenth in Illinois The city of Peoria, in Central Illinois, celebrated the day with a parade, poetry and a picnic. An area festival also featured food, musical performances, a bake-off and more. More than 1,000 miles north east, in Worchester, Massachusetts, the YWCA hosted Juneteenth celebrations with a flag raising ceremony and a vow to keep tradition and the history alive, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. "We are not here to celebrate," said Sha-Asia Medina, a volunteer with the area's Black Heritage Committee. "This is something to acknowledge and honor our ancestors, but the attack on our history and culture continues. This Juneteenth is important, especially given the time that we're in." Here are other photos of Americans celebrating the relatively new holiday across the United States in cities including Atlanta, New York and Savannah.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton not ready to test-drive new bus fare discounts for disabled residents
City council will not consider a plea to reinstitute free or more deeply discounted bus fares for disabled residents — or at least not yet. In 2023, the city ended long-standing optional fares for blind residents and those using personal mobility devices in favour of a broader affordability pilot program offering discounted rides to low-income residents. But advocates say that 30 per cent 'Fare Assist' discount is not working for poor, disabled residents most in need of help — many of whom can no longer afford to take the bus at all. The city's own subcommittee on accessibility put forward a motion calling for Hamilton to explore a 'complementary' program to offer a free or more deeply discounted fare for those who need it most. A coalition of concerned residents and agencies — including the YWCA, disability advocacy groups and the Hamilton Community Benefits Network — rallied at city hall last week to urge councillors to support the proposal. 'The Fare Assist program is anything but fair,' said Karl Andrus of the HCBN at the rally. 'We need to revisit the pilot, now, because it is failing.' The city's transit head told councillors, however, that the HSR did not have the time or resources to test-drive two discount programs at once. Instead, council endorsed a plan Wednesday to have bureaucrats report back in November (earlier than planned) on the pros and cons of the existing discount program, including feedback collected from bus riders and concerned advocates. 'If at that time there is redirection (by council) to try something different, we're open to that,' said acting public works head Jackie Kennedy. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Fills a critical need': YWCA Lethbridge opens new long-term transitional housing program
Officials at the YWCA Lethbridge and District hope a new program can help support women and children who are looking to move beyond crisis but still face safety and stability barriers. The YWCA launched its Hope program Wednesday afternoon. 'It's that medium phase, it's that second stage where individuals that are fleeing domestic violence or have experienced gender-based violence are able to move into more stable and grounding spaces where they can truly recover,' said CEO Jill Young. The program is the first-of-its-kind in Lethbridge and will offer life skills supports and case management to women and children fleeing domestic violence. The YWCA renovated one of its floors to include individual spaces and a communal kitchen -- doubling the number of beds available. Young says the length of stay in the program will be between six to 18 months, compared to the 21 to 30-day stay at the Harbour House Emergency Shelter. 'When you've already experienced a lot of various barriers in your life – including going through a very traumatic experience – being able to jump straight into market housing can be extremely difficult, so this really fills that gap,' Young explained. 'We are able to provide that long-term stability and allow that recovery to happen.' She says once individuals join the program, space within the Harbour House will become available, allowing for more women and children to access resources and emergency supports. YWCA Lethbridge and District YWCA Lethbridge and District. The City of Lethbridge provided nearly $600,000 in capital and operational funding for the program through the federal government's Reaching Home program. 'This project represents a critical housing need in our community with transitional beds,' said Andrew Malcolm, City of Lethbridge community social development general manager. The Hope program will be able to support between 12 to 18 women and children at a time, according to Young. In 2024, the YWCA Lethbridge and District provided more than 20,000 services and supports to women and children. The YWCA will begin to accept intake referrals for the program, with capacity expected to be reached within a month. 'This is not a women problem, this is not a gender problem, this is a people problem, and we need to continue to address and face what is happening in our community and across Canada,' said Young.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Intimate partner violence calls surge in Greater Sudbury
Calls related to intimate partner violence in Greater Sudbury have increased by 63 per cent since 2023, police reported this week. Greater Sudbury Police say they are receiving an average of 50 to 65 calls a week related to intimate partner violence, a substantial increase compared to last year. And statistics show Sudbury police responded to 2,857 IPV calls in 2024, a 38 per cent increase from 2023 and 63 per cent increase compared to 2022. IPV stats Statistics show Sudbury police responded to 2,857 IPV calls in 2024, a 38 per cent increase from 2023 and 63 per cent increase compared to 2022. (File) Police are working with community partners to address IPV and help victims who want to leave abusive relationships. 'We might be informing the community better, so maybe those victims that were hesitant before are now proactive in reporting these incidents to police,' said Det. Sgt. Adam Demers, IPV coordinator for Sudbury police. Marlene Gorman, executive director of YWCA Sudbury, said she's not surprised that IPV reports are increasing. Gorman said Genevra House gets about 28 calls a week from women leaving abusive partners, and quite often the 32-bed shelter is at capacity. 'Our shelter is full every day,' Gorman said, adding it's disheartening when staff have to turn away women and their children because the shelter is full. Sudbury IPV Greater Sudbury Police say they are receiving an average of 50 to 65 calls a week related to intimate partner violence, a substantial increase compared to last year. (Photo from video) 'We know we're failing women who need us at their most vulnerable time,' she said. Gorman said it's not more shelters that are needed, it's more affordable housing. There's often an increase in demand for help at this time of year, she said, when the school year ends. Plan to leave abusive relationships 'Sometimes moms will wait until their children have completed school,' Gorman said. 'Around this time, they're looking at a plan to leave an abusive partner so they're not taking their children out of school and disrupting them in that way.' There's also often an increase around the holidays or just after the holidays. In an email the CTV News, Sudbury & Area Victim Services (SAVS) said it has seen an increase in referrals related to family violence and intimate partner violence occurrences. 'We know we're failing women who need us at their most vulnerable time.' — Marlene Gorman, executive director of YWCA Sudbury 'On average, SAVS is receiving between 20-45 new referrals per week through police, community agency referral or self-referral,' the email said. SAVS works with victims and survivors of IPV to do safety planning and connect them to services and support. Demers said police who work with the IPV unit are trauma-informed and victim-based. Part of the process is to continue contact with victims through follow-ups. 'We do have a lot of recidivism, the breaches, the calling, the harassing phone calls,' he said. 'By reaching out to (the victims), we get that information, but we're also getting their feedback on the process as well, which we share with our community partners.' It's that connection with community partners that Demers said helps victims feel more comfortable about reaching out to the police. 'It creates a bigger team and obviously the team works better if we have those relationships,' he said. 'All those partners working with us -- actually with the community -- maybe takes the edge off going to police.' He said IPV investigations start with police. From there, police reach out to community partners for assistance. That could be housing, supplies, shelter or safety. Community partners also step up when IPV cases lead to criminal charges. Another way Sudbury police is addressing the increase in IPV cases is through a one-year pilot project. Starting at the end of June, four police officers will be specifically designated to IPV cases. In Ontario, 95 communities have declared IPV an epidemic. There continues to be a push to have the province make a similar declaration.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
City approves College of Charleston request to demolish former YWCA building, making way for new dorm
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Members of the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) in Charleston voted Wednesday to allow the demolition of a historic building downtown. Members voted to approve the College of Charleston's request to demolish the former Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) site at 106 Coming Street. The YWCA sold the property in 2014, and it has sat vacant for years. The College plans to build new student housing under the Coming Street Commons plan, which includes 1,000 beds in mostly double rooms. Some single-bed rooms will be available also. The building, which is considered mid-century as it was built in 1964, is where the African American branch of the YWCA was headquartered and served as a community space, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement. During this time, the branch was run by notably Black civil rights leaders, including Septima Clark. Not only is the former YWCA building a site of significance for the civil rights movement, but it sits on top of a potter's field. Charleston potter's fields were public burial grounds for unnamed individuals who were likely enslaved or the poorest citizens. This one opened in 1794 and is encased in a block connected by Vanderhorst, Coming, and Calhoun streets. That area was declared to be at burial capacity thirteen years later in the summer of 1807, according to Charleston County Public Library. About 4,600 individuals were buried in the space. 'In this particular case, we believe the history of the property is more significant than the existing structure. That's why I want to reaffirm our strong and sincere commitment to properly commemorate both the YWCA and the potter's field that once occupied this site,' said College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu at the meeting. 'This history matters to us, and we are committed to honoring it in a way that is respectful, lasting, and visceral,' Hsu added. Detailed plans for the future memorial have yet to be announced. During the public comment portion, several individuals spoke, including representatives from the Preservation Society of Charleston, Historic Charleston Foundation, and Charleston Black Lives Matter, asking members to defer their vote until the College had a more complete plan of what to do during possible excavations and further community input. Anna-Catherine Alexander with the Preservation Society said that after her team assessed the site, they found no structural deficiencies that required demolishing the building. 'Further, the argument that the building must be removed to facilitate site work and removal of potential burials that may be found on the site is not within the BAR's purview to consider and, therefore, not grounds for demolition…' said Alexander. 'If a decision on demolition has already been made it calls into question of having this dialogue at all. Community involvement can not be rushed on arbitrary timetables. Once a building is gone, it's gone forever,' Alexander continued. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
