Laureen Scibinico has served as executive director of the YWCA for close to two decades. She is proud to lead an organization with a mission that truly makes a difference in the lives of women and children. One of her greatest joys is the opportunity to design and implement programs for the women and children of Malden. Programs that Laureen has created for the YWCA Malden include: Malden YWCA Teen Voices: “Make a Mural, Make A Difference”—in celebration of cultural diversity, 15 portable murals were created by teams of students for display in public spaces and the program was recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Education; YWCA ENCORE plus Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, an outreach, education, and screening program for uninsured women, particularly women of color and immigrant populations; Malden YWCA Willcox Hall Women's Affordable Housing Program, home to 21 single working women with limited earning capacity; and Girls in Action Leadership Development Program for Adolescent Girls, the “crown jewel” of the YWCA. Laureen has a Master’s degree in public administration from Suffolk University and a B.A. in psychology and education from the University of Massachusetts. Her current professional affiliations include: Girls’ Coalition of Greater Boston--Leadership Council chair; Malden Chamber of Commerce board of directors/chair of the School to Career Committee; Northeast Alliance of YWCA cofounder; Malden ABE Community Planning Partnership; and National Association of YWCA Executives.
YWCA Malden
YWCA Malden is an innovative nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to empower women and girls and eliminate racism. Its unique programs and services are targeted to underserved low-income women, girls, and families of color in the urban community of Malden. For more than 75 years, YWCA Malden has significantly enhanced the lives of those it serves by respecting individuality, eliminating racism, celebrating diversity, and encouraging active participation in community life. Program services range from affordable housing and free health services for low-income women to school-aged child care and a full range of skill-building programs for youth. Youth services include both coed after-school programs and gender-specific leadership programs for girls. All programs are youth driven and provide the opportunity for participants to take an active role in community development. Key programs include Channel Surfing, an after-school academic enrichment program for middle-school boys and girls; Girls In Action Career Exploration and Leadership Development Program for middle-school and high-school girls; and TASK: Teen Advocates Sharing Knowledge, a peer education for high-school girls.
