A New Generation of Hope

Monthly Donor & Ambassador Council Leader, Kyra

When Kyra Lovely joined the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago community in June 2024, she didn’t expect her involvement to grow as quickly or as meaningfully as it has. A Chicago-area native and a merchant in ULTA Beauty’s fragrance department, Kyra stepped into the Ambassadors Council, our network of early-to-mid-career professionals committed to advancing equity, with curiosity and enthusiasm. Two years later, she now serves as co-chair, helping bring new voices, new energy, and new perspectives into our mission.

Kyra’s connection to YWCA began through ULTA Beauty’s Annual Pretty Empowered program, a partnership that celebrates confidence, community, and opportunity. At one of these events, she found herself in conversation with YWCA Metropolitan Chicago CEO Nicole Robinson. What started as a discussion about the event’s success quickly became a deeper conversation about the breadth of YWCA’s work, from economic empowerment initiatives like Breedlove to survivor-centered services for sexual assault.

That conversation sparked something. Kyra realized she wanted to be part of this work in a more intentional way. Today, Kyra is not only a monthly donor but also the co-chair of the Ambassadors Council, bringing fresh leadership, energy, and perspective to YWCA’s community of emerging professionals.

Why Monthly Giving Works for Her

Kyra chose monthly giving because it fits the rhythm of her life: steady, simple, and aligned with her values.

“It’s nice to know that automatically, month after month, I’m giving charitably, and I don’t have to think about it.”

She appreciates that even modest recurring gifts add up and support multiple areas of the organization, depending on where they’re most needed, from crisis support to economic opportunity.

“YWCA” makes it very easy. You pick an amount, you set it, and you know it’s happening every month.”

For Kyra, monthly giving is a practice that reflects intentional generosity and a commitment to collective impact.

The Impact She Hopes to Make

Kyra is humble about her contributions, but she’s clear about why she gives.

“I don’t like to say I’m making a huge impact,” she reflects, “but I know my funds are being used. Whether it's Breedlove…or sexual assault services...my contribution is going to make a difference.”

For her, the power of monthly giving lies in knowing that every dollar, no matter the size, helps advance healing, safety, and opportunity across the organization.

Her Message to Future Monthly Donors

When asked what she would tell someone considering becoming a monthly donor, Kyra doesn’t hesitate.

“Even if it’s a smaller amount, it still makes an impact. It all adds up.”

A Young Leader Practicing Hope, This Black History Month and Beyond

Our 2026 Black History Month theme is Hope as a Practice. Change as a Legacy captures exactly what Kyra represents.

She practices hope through steady, intentional giving.

She builds change by helping expand the next generation of YWCA leadership.

And she shows that you don’t have to wait to make an impact, you can start where you are, with what you have, right now.

Kyra’s story is a reminder that a legacy of equity begins with consistent actions taken by many, including young professionals like her who choose to invest in community year-round.

Stand with Kyra in building a new generation of hope.