In 2010, the University of Mount Union and the YWCA of Alliance partnered in a Great Cities, Great Service grant to research and address interpersonal aggression. UMU students in Drs. Sarah Torok and Kathleen Piker-King's classes conducted focus groups, surveyed staff, teachers, and students, and worked in small groups throughout the semester with the YWCA's Girls Together middle school group under the Navigators program.
In the spring of 2010, UMU students presented their project at the university's Scholars Day and led a culminating on-campus activity for the YW's Girls Together group. In addition to team building activities and pizza, the university and middle school students processed the semester long research project by reading excerpts from a book of essays and poems written by the college students to encourage and support girls in navigating through middle school. Also in the spring of 2010, Drs. Torok and Piker-King made a formal presentation to school and YWCA personnel on their findings.
In 2011, UMU students continue the project by meeting throughout the semester with GT girls and again wrote essays and poems. The last phase of the project was completed when university and YW Girls Together students partnered to lead the "No Bully Zone" event at the elementary Navigator's Site located at Northside School.
On Saturday, the YWCA took our trailer to Silver Park to join with Artist First in an all-day concert to raise funds to address hunder in Alliance. Scott Zelasko booked 8 area bands to lend their voices and music in a free concert. The YWCA collected donations for the Alliance Community Pantry and sold beverages and food for their own Meals on Wheels program. Below Board Members Michelle Collins-Sibley, Barb Brown (concession committee) and Sherrie Wallace served up hot dogs, pizza, chips, water and soda. Great tunes, a good cause, a beautiful evening! 
