NEWBURYPORT – Julia McDonald, YWCA Board President, announced that John Feehan, Executive Director of YWCA Greater Newburyport will be stepping down from his role to focus his attention on helping the association continue to expand its affordable housing and childcare offerings. Since his arrival in 2009, the YWCA has seen considerable expansion of its programs.
Under his leadership, the YWCA opened a preschool childcare program in 2013. YWCA Children’s Center offers high quality licensed childcare and offers it on a sliding fee based on income. It also accepts state vouchers. Childcare is vital to women’s economic empowerment. Leaving the workforce to care for children results in lower wages, missed promotions and lower incomes in retirement. However, the cost of childcare is prohibitive to lower income households. By combining high quality care with lower fees for working parents, the YWCA is able to serve children and their parents while fulfilling its mission.
‘The organization celebrates his impressive 15-year tenure and begins the search for
his replacement.’
YWCA Encore Plus was re-introduced to Newburyport under John’s guidance. This free program provides gentle exercise and peer support to those who have experienced cancer at any point in their lives. It is a transformative program which helps people regain control over their lives.
The racial justice program has expanded from a single signature event to year round programming. More importantly, staff have been educated on racial justice and have been encouraged to incorporate this directly into their programming (and daily lives).
The YWCA began offering affordable housing in Newburyport in 1885, in 1998 it expanded to serve homeless households. Today, it’s affordable housing has grown to serve 5 communities and provide housing to 124 households. Another 48 units are currently under development. YWCA, in fulfilment of its mission focuses on housing homeless households and those with the lowest incomes.
“Over the past 15 years, the YWCA has grown considerably. I have been extremely fortunate to have a supportive Board who believes in our work and supported our expansion and a fabulous staff who have created amazing programs for the community. I look forward to working with the YWCA in my new role to continue to see the association grow.” Feehan said. “We navigated through many challenges, including a global pandemic, and continue to fulfill our mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.”
YWCA Greater Newburyport seeks a strategic and visionary leader to be the next Executive Director to guide the organization as it expands its reach and impact. Leading with a deep commitment to the mission, the ideal executive will champion the YWCA across the region and build trusting, collaborative relationships with partners, donors, and community stakeholders and continually seek opportunities for growth and innovation.
The search is being led by DSG|Koya. For more information and to apply or nominate a candidate, visit the YWCA’s webpage at www.ywcanewburyport.org. ♦
> Congratulations to John Feehan on winning the 2025 Peace Price from the Newburyport Human Rights Commission!
