After receiving her bachelor's degree from Illinois State University-with a political science major and communications minor-she began her time with the YWCA as the assistant to the shelter director. "When she left several months later, they appointed me shelter director. That was trial by fire: I was 23 years old telling these women how to live their lives. I'm not sure if I would have listened to me either. I was the shelter director for seven and a half years, and it changed my life in many ways," she said.
Sixteen years after her first assignment, she's now the grant coordinator, responsible for writing the grants the organization submits to local, state, and federal funders for the programs offered at the YWCA. "Many of our programs, especially our Homeless Services Programs, are grant driven. Unfortunately, the amount of money offered by the government hasn't kept pace with cost of living, and we continuously seek funds from private sources. I'm also a member of the Heart of Illinois Homeless Continuum of Care-the local group that ensures we have a seamless system of services for the homeless within Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and Fulton counties. This group submits a large application to HUD for funding each year for a variety of programs. In the past, I've been largely responsible for writing this application on behalf of the larger group."
On a daily basis, Bleistein said she juggles what needs to get done and what's thrown at her-just like everyone else. "We've downsized a little in the past couple of years, and everyone has taken on new responsibilities. Trying to cram it all in on a part-time basis continues to be a challenge."
One of the big challenges being faced by the YWCA is trying to save the YWCA shelter. "This on-going effort has been the center of my career at the YWCA. It's a struggle for not only the YWCA, but for the other shelter programs to keep the doors open and provide the services necessary to move the people to a better place. When I began here, we received $36,000 from the state for shelter services. This year, it's $42,000. When you're providing housing services at no cost, the difference must be made up in the community. The Peoria community has been extremely generous to us the past few months. Individuals, corporations, and the faith community-some of whom have never given to us in the past-really came through for us," she said.
The YWCA shelter programs are so important to this area, she explained, because they're a link in the chain of services to the homeless. "If the link breaks, the structure suffers. Every shelter provider locally has their own niche of services the others don't provide. The YWCA operates the only drop-in shelter for women and children that's open 365 days each year. Without this program, a woman and her small children who find themselves homeless in the middle of the night-for whatever reason-would have no place to turn in this city. And our longer term shelter provides a level of privacy the others don't."
This often day-to-day struggle means employees like Bleistein have to stay motivated. "There are several things that interest and motivate me here at the YWCA. First of all, working for a women's organization allows me the freedom to be a good employee and mother. Many companies find the two mutually exclusive. But here I have the freedom to be a mom first and a desk jockey second. Most women I know don't have that luxury. The work here motivates me because it's very challenging. I enjoy working knowing that what I'm doing is helping others."
That work includes keeping alive the tradition of an organization of dedicated women-and a few good men-that quietly offer women and their families the opportunities to realize their potential. "Whether that's through improved mobility through our aquatic programs, improved confidence for young girls in our tumbling programs, breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness with job training in our homeless services programs, or women working to support their families with the help of affordable quality child care. The YWCA offers something for everYWoman," she said.
Bleistein's good works also extend outside of her career, one example being her participation on the planning committee of the first WomenBuild project for Habitat for Humanity. "The dedication of the other women involved was truly amazing. I coordinated childcare opportunities for women who wanted to participate, which wasn't utilized. We thought the availability of childcare may help some women participate, and I made arrangements for my church to be the childcare site. But we found the need wasn't that great. I was interested because my church had just built a home for a local family, and everyone had such a great time. Plus, the provision of safe, decent, and affordable housing for families in this community has been the focus of my 16 years with the YWCA."
The extensive list of her other community activities means Bleistein has had to find balance between work, volunteering, and family. "Much of what I do is a direct result of my involvement with my church, the YWCA, and my children's school. Other things just seem to come my way, and if I can help, I will. Without sounding too much like Oprah, each experience really makes up the fiber of who I am. Somehow, we've found a balance in our family life. My husband is a great dad, and he has no problem filling in when I can't. We do a lot of what we call 'tag-team parenting,' with one going out the door as the other is coming in. So far it's worked."
Bleistein said the best part of her job is knowing the organization is working toward social change and helping women become independent and self-sufficient. "The flexibility I'm allowed is great too. And I love to do the 'money dance' when we get a nice big grant award, especially when it wasn't expected."
The most challenging aspect of her job in general is finding new funding sources. "Our grants have stagnated or been reduced over the years, but the cost to provide the same levels of service increase every year. Just like with any business in today's economy, we're expected to do more with less," she said. "But definitely the most specifically challenging part of my job has been trying to get our GlenPerry Apartments off the ground. We received a HUD grant for a Permanent Supportive Housing Project at the end of 1999, and we still haven't broken any ground. The red tape we've had to unravel on this one project could stretch to the moon and back."
Still, she remains upbeat about the work the organization is doing and encouraged other women to look into it. "If anyone wants to be involved in the great things going on at the YWCA-and be a part of the largest women's movement in the world-give me a ring." TPW