Community Programs

As part of our mission to empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all, the YWCA Westfield is proud to serve as a drop-off location for supplies for BAKs. A BAK is a Begin Again Kit put together by volunteers of donated items for women and their kids starting over after escaping a domestic violence situation.

They are always in search of the following:

Used in Good Repair or New

• Plastic Bins/Totes (to pack the kits)
• Plastic Laundry Baskets (to pack the kits in)
• Plates (sets of 4)*
• Bowls (sets of 4)*
• Silverware (sets of 4) *
• Glasses (sets of 4)*
• Coffee Mugs (sets of 4)*
• Pots and Pans
• Baking Sheets
• Baking Dishes
• Dish Drainers
• Measuring Cups
• Mixing Bowls
• Cooking Utensils
• Plastic Kids' Cups/Plates/Silverware
• Strainers
• Can Openers
• Cutting Boards
  *If you have plates, glasses, silverware, bowls, etc. but don’t have sets of 4, that’s okay, they will do their best to match them up with other sets

New

• Dish Detergent
• All Purpose Cleaner
• Reusable Dish Rags

Remember, ask yourself if you would use this item, is it in good condition, and is this safe to use? Additionally, they need newspapers or bubble wrap to keep the dishes from breaking. They are trying to make the BAK an environmentally friendly kit, so they try to pack the kits with items that can be re-used! Please consider giving your old dishes, pots and pans, etc. a home to someone in need! All BAKs will stay local in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua county. The BAKs will be handed out by local agencies supporting domestic violence victims to those need.