Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Race happening this summer?

We can’t Race Against Hate together this year. The past few weeks have been full of uncertainty for our community and country. Due to recommended guidelines from CDC health and government officials and to prioritize the health and safety of our runners, walkers and volunteers, YWCA Evanston/North Shore has made the very difficult decision that it is unsafe for us to come together as a community on June 21 for the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate. But we have made plans to still celebrate what the Race is really all about.

Will the Race be rescheduled?

Not this year.

Can I, my team members and others still participate in some way?

Yes! While we can’t come together physically on Race Day, we hope you’ll embrace the spirit of the Race by coming together in other valuable ways. Here’s how:

• Become a Race Buddy, Race Hero, or Race Champion by turning what would have been your registration fee into a donation. Simply click on the DONATE button on this site and make a gift of any size.
• Race Against Hate…in place in June by throwing on one of your old race tee-shirts (or get creative and design your own Race tee-shirt!) and running or walking a 5K (3.1 miles) anytime between June 1 and June 21 (respecting social distancing, of course!). This can be done wherever you are – on a treadmill; around your neighborhood; around a track at a school; or even the Race course along the lake – it’s your choice! Then connect your experience and offer encouragement to other participants by posting on the YWCA Evanston/North Shore Facebook or Instagram page using the hashtag #RaceAgainstHate .
• Embrace healing, community, and equity by tuning in from wherever you are to three exciting free virtual learning events we have planned for June: a racial healing circle, a community conversation on race, and a special panel discussion featuring Sherialyn Byrdsong. Details of these events to come soon!

If I'm already registered or have made a donation, will you issue a refund?

We appreciate that you were among the first to either register or donate to the 2020 Race Against Hate. For this early enthusiasm and support, we consider you a Race hero. We also recognize that the current lock-down has put financial strain on many of us so we will of course be willing to refund your money.

As you know, in addition to bringing us all together in support of healing, equity, and community, the Race is YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s biggest fundraiser, bringing in over $200,000 each year to support survivors of abuse in our shelter, violence prevention programming in our schools, and racial and gender equity in our communities. The unanticipated loss of this revenue is very challenging for us, so we’d like to offer you several options

• Turn your registration fee into a fully tax-deductible contribution to YWCA Evanston North Shore
• Request a 50% refund, and turn 50% of your registration fee into a tax-deductible donation
• Request a full refund of your registration fee and/or donation

Those who already registered will receive an email from us outlining the options and providing a survey link where you can let us know your preference. If we do not hear from you by April 30, we will assume that you would like us to consider your registration fee as a donation. After that date, we will begin the process of issuing refunds. Please be patient and know that this might take several weeks. If you haven’t seen the refund on your credit card statement by the end of May, let us know.

Can I continue fundraising?

Not through the usual peer-to-peer fundraising page you’ve used in the past but we’d be grateful if you would share the website address with others and encourage them to donate: bit.ly/YWRAH2020

Can I donate offline?

Yes! Checks can be made out to YWCA Evanston/North Shore and mailed to:

Race Against Hate
YWCA Evanston/North Shore
1215 Church Street
Evanston, IL 60201

Can I still get my T-shirt and goody bag, or fundraising incentive gifts?

Sorry, no. While we would have loved to produce an annual tshirt, without registration revenue we must limit Race expenses. We will not produce incentives, tshirts or goody bags this year.

Will there be a way to record my time and qualify for an award?

YWCA Evanston/North Shore does not have the band width to track times and therefore awards will not be issued this year.

When can I register for next year’s Race?

The Race Against Hate will make a triumphant return on Sunday, June 20, 2021! We expect to open the registration site early in 2021.

If I have other questions, who should I reach out to?

Please contact us at 847-864-8445, ext. 121 or raceagainsthate@ywca-ens.org