Why We Changed Our Name
The YWCA of Northwest Georgia (YWCA) built a rich history serving citizens of Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding counties. Since 1917, the role of the organization has evolved to meet the changing needs of our community.
In 2007, the board of directors made the decision for the YWCA to focus entirely on its mission to deliver programs and services increasing awareness and reducing the occurrence of domestic violence and sexual assault in our community, and later added elder abuse. A $7.2 million capital campaign helped make critical improvements to our main building and emergency shelter (at an undisclosed location), which underwent major renovations that were completed in 2015.
Over the years, challenges arose because the name—Young Women’s Christian Association of Northwest Georgia—didn’t fit with the new mission. There was a lingering perception that the YWCA was a gym, day care, or community pool. The name also implied that we only served young Christian women, though services are actually available to all that need them. The confusion made it hard for people in need of help to find us.
After our branding task force conducted extensive research and made its recommendation, the board of directors decided it was time to change the name. Following on the heels of the capital campaign and renovations, it was the natural last step in solidifying the organization’s mission to the community.
After a thorough RFP evaluation, 524 Creative of Marietta was selected to lead the process of researching and recommending our new name. After extensive research and interviews with the staff, leadership, board of directors and community leaders, 524 Creative presented several naming options. We chose LiveSafe Resources as the name that would serve our organization best.
Why LiveSafe Resources?
The staff and board of directors selected LiveSafe Resources because it best reflected our mission, to help victims and survivors to live safe. Whether they are suffering from domestic violence, sexual assault or elder abuse, they have the right to feel and be safe, no matter what their definition of “safe” is (e.g., to escape their situation, to file a court order, to put a safety plan in place, etc.).
As a name, LiveSafe Resources is flexible to accommodate the future growth of services and programs that may fall beyond the spheres of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. It helps to better distinguish us in the community and is more inclusive of everyone we serve, regardless of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation. But the most important reason for changing our name, is to make it easier for people who need us to find us. And that could save their life.
“LiveSafe Resources” helps us easily explain what we do and who we serve. This in turn will aid us in helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse find us quickly. They will no longer think they are being referred to the community pool when they need to escape from violence and abuse.
We also felt that having “Resources” in our name was extremely beneficial. We not only offer resources with our own programs and services, but we serve as a resource in referring those in need to other organizations at a local, state and national level that can also be of assistance.
What Else is Changing?
Our new name will naturally entail the updating of our logo, web address (www.liveSAFEresources.org), email addresses, and marketing materials. Besides these things and the fact that we have disaffiliated with the YWCA, nothing is changing. Our staff, leadership, board of directors, programs, services and events will remain exactly the same.
We look to the future and hope to keep more of our community members safe from abuse and violence. We think our new name will help us better fulfill our commitment and save lives, and hope we can count on your support as well.