YWCA’s new interactive data map helps tell the story of how critical our work is to women, children, and families throughout the United States. We’ve always known firsthand about the demand for social services in our communities, but this innovative online tool is a game-changer: it showcases the impact of our work at the local, state,… Continue Reading Introducing YWCA’s Data-Driven, Interactive Map Initiative
During the first 12 months since Norma Herr Women’s Center — the only publicly funded shelter for single-women in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — came under the management of YWCA Greater Cleveland, 300 women experiencing homelessness at the shelter transitioned to stable housing, an increase of more than 230 percent. YWCA USA CEO Alejandra Y. Castillo… Continue Reading YWCA Greater Cleveland: Providing Support for Women to Find Housing
YWCA USA CEO Alejandra Y. Castillo was recently interviewed by USA TODAY about the wage gap, as the organization joined the National Women’s Law Center and other nonprofits in “commemorating” Moms Equal Pay Day on June 10—the date marking how far into the year that the average working mom has to work to earn what… Continue Reading Moms Equal Pay: Closing the Wage Gap
Over 300 YWCA leaders from across the country gathered together last week to connect and learn together during our biennial National Conference in Washington, D.C. During several days of panel discussions, speeches, and workshop sessions, leaders focused on identifying new opportunities and forging new connections to help us unleash and leverage our power as a… Continue Reading 2019 National Conference: Dare To Be Powerful
As YWCA marked our 13th annual Stand Against Racism, we focused on raising awareness and highlighting the injustices faced by immigrant women and families. In DC, YWCA USA kicked off this year’s campaign by hosting a policy briefing on April 25th, on “Ensuring Safety and Opportunity for Immigrant Women.” As an organization dedicated to eliminating… Continue Reading Ensuring Safety and Opportunity for Immigrant Women
By Saida Agostini, Director of Capacity Building, YWCA USA When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid. — Audre Lorde When I first read these words in Audre Lorde’s Sister Outsider, I just sat the book… Continue Reading When I Dare To Be Powerful
As an organization that has been working for justice for over 160 years, we at YWCA know how important it is to continue having dialogue and building community among those who work for racial justice, and to relentlessly persist in raising awareness about the impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. That’s why, every… Continue Reading Join Us: Take A Stand Against Racism
Sharing the Burden of Racial Equity Work in the Workplace By Lily Eisner, Policy & Program Assistant, YWCA USA I’m going to let you in on an uncomfortable secret: diversity does not spontaneously create racial equity. So often, organizations believe fighting racism in the workplace begins and ends with increasing representation. Unfortunately, this is only… Continue Reading Simply Hiring People of Color Is Not a Racial Equity Strategy
By Natalie Cone, State Advocacy and Civic Engagement Manager, YWCA USA The organizing efforts of women in civic engagement have shaped and strengthened our democracy. From the suffragettes who fought for the passage of the 19th Amendment almost 100 years ago to Fannie Lou Hamer and Ella Baker who fought for civil and voting rights… Continue Reading When Women are Civically Engaged, Our Democracy is Stronger
By Asha Kuziwa, Field Organizer, YWCA USA From ending gun violence to combating climate change, young people are leading the way and working to drive real, lasting change in our communities and across the country. Despite this, young people have rarely been included in the conversation around one major, glaring epidemic of our time: ending… Continue Reading Youth LEADS: Working to End Gender-Based Violence Among Youth