FAQ

Q: Where is the YWCA USA located?

YWCA USA is located in Washington, D.C. Our address is 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20036.

Q: How do I find my local YWCA?

Click here to find the a YWCA in your community.

Q: Is the YWCA and its local associations only for women?

YWCAs focus on women's needs and issues. Its programs are designed around them and managed by women. The organization includes men as employees, on committees and advisory boards, as well as in many programs. YWCAs recognize the role men play in eliminating racism and empowering women.

Q: What is the purpose of the YWCA?

Eliminating racism and empowering women are Hallmark programs of the YWCA. The programs administered at your local YWCA carry out this mission and reflect our brand. They are what distinguishes the YWCA from other organizations. To find out more, click here.

Q: How many people do you serve?

The YWCA represents 2 million women, girls and their families in the United States and 25 million women worldwide. The YWCA has almost 250 associations across the United States. YWCAs can also be found in more than 100 countries.

Q: When was the YWCA founded?

In 1855, the first YWCA was established in London, England. The United States developed its first chapter in 1858. The first National Board was established in 1906.

Q: Is the YWCA a “social services” agency?

Yes. Local YWCAs provide services to meet the needs of women in their communities. Depending on local programs, these may include: child care, rape crisis intervention, domestic violence assistance, shelters for domestic violence victims and their families, job training, career counseling, entrepreneurial training for teens and fitness training. More importantly, the YWCA creates a community among women, develops women leadership in a supportive environment, fosters diversity and brings about change through advocacy.


Q: Does the YWCA provide health and fitness programs?

Some local associations have fitness classes, programs and facilities as part of their programs to empower women. Each YWCA looks at its community to determine program needs. All YWCAs programs are created to fit within the YWCA mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

Q: How is the national YWCA structured?

In 2001, YWCA members voted to restructure the national organization. The grassroots Change Initiative changed the top-down structure to a bottom-up structure. Its foundation is the hard work of the local associations.

Nine separate Regional Councils were created and each local YWCA affiliated with a Regional Council. Each local association sends two representatives from their association to serve on the Board of Directors of their Regional Council. The Regional Council in turn elects two representatives to serve on the National Coordinating Board, the governing board of the YWCA.

Each Regional Council sends representatives to serve on the national committees, thereby giving extensive local representation on the regional level and the national level. The national office has been charged primarily with conducting advocacy at the national level and is responsible for marketing and branding.

Q: Besides providing governance, what is the purpose of the Regional Councils?

The primary purpose of the Regional Councils is to provide support and training for our member associations, to provide resources and encouragement for program and leadership development and to serve as a conduit for information to and from the national office, board and committees and member associations.

The Regional Council provides information to the member associations it receives from the national office and board, from other Regional Councils and from the other member associations. The Regional Council also provides the national office and board with information and input from the member associations.