Bartlesville YWCA may close.

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- Ongoing financial problems have led the board of directors at Bartlesville's YWCA to call for the closing of the <br>organization.<br><br>"This has been one of the hardest

Saturday, November 30th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- Ongoing financial problems have led the board of directors at Bartlesville's YWCA to call for the closing of the
organization.

"This has been one of the hardest decisions that I have made as an individual and that we have made as a board," said board President Jessica Butler. "Our desire is to follow this decision through in a positive and professional manner to preserve the wonderful YWCA tradition."

The YWCA's general membership will vote in January on closing the 81-year-old organization. Staff members say they will meet with workers at other charities to see if other groups can continue programs such as low-cost counseling, leadership for girls, mammograms for uninsured women and safety programs for children home alone.

The organization has a history of service in Bartlesville including offering food and clothing during the Depression and support to service members during times of war. The YWCA put its 50-year-old building up for sale last year and moved into smaller offices inside Bartlesville's Family YMCA.