YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. 1
1855 The Young Women s Christian Association (YWCA) began in London as two women s groups, a prayer group and a social activist group, joined together. Soon, noticeable improvements were being made due to the power of religious fervor joined with practical social action efforts. YWCA IS ON A MISSION 2
YWCA Comes to USA in 1858 1858 1860 founding of YWCAs New York and Boston 1873 - the first Student YWCA founded at Illinois State Normal University 3
1890 early 1900s 1890 - the first YWCA Black branch and leadership positions for women of color were established in Dayton, Ohio. The first YWCA for American Indian women opened in Oklahoma and seven Black student Associations were formed. Early 1900 s Dozens of YWCAs opened International Institutes featuring bi-lingual instruction and ways for women of different cultures to mingle. YWCA IS ON A MISSION 4
International Work 1890s - Early 1900s 1894 - the U.S, England, Sweden and Norway joined together to found the World YWCA USA staff went to India in 1894 and were financially supported by the Dayton, Ohio YWCA. Other YWCAs in the USA supported work in China, Japan and Argentina 5
1906 186,000 individual members in the U.S. and their 100 YWCAs (22% of which were located on college campuses) joined together to share a common name - the Young Women s Christian Association - and a common mission. The national organization was incorporated in New York City, this became the headquarters for what is now YWCA USA. YWCA IS ON A MISSION 6
YWCA USA Mission Statement: Early Years: Young Women s Christian Association s purpose is to build a fellowship of women and girls devoted to the task of realizing in our common lives those ideals of personal social living to which we are committed by our faith as Christians. In this endeavor we seek to understand Jesus, to share his love for all people and to grow in the knowledge and love of God. Today: YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA IS ON A MISSION 7
Early 1900s-1930s During World War I YWCA stepped up its programs to more than 1.5 million women at industrial sites and became increasingly aware of the conditions facing women in factories, such as low wages, long hours and no protective rights for workers. The US Government asked YWCA to provide recreational programs for service men and women in the USA and abroad. YWCA USA sent 733 professional staff abroad. YWCAs started hostess houses near military camps recruiting thousands of staff and volunteers to run them, which became a home away from home for thousands of soldiers. YWCA IS ON A MISSION 8 8
1940s-1960s YWCA IS ON A MISSION 9
1970s 2000 YWCA IS ON A MISSION 10
Expansion to Include Government Funded Programs During the 1980s and 1990s, YWCAs applied for multiple types of governmental funding and expanded programs: Shelters for battered women Homeless shelters Child care Teen pregnancy programs Job training Women s health initiatives YWCA became known organization that could effectively respond to a wide range of needs of a community. YWCA IS ON A MISSION 11 11
2000 - Forward 12
Constants then n o w n o then w 13
n o w then ywca can help n o w then 14 YWCA IS ON A MISSION
for every woman then n o w then n o w 15
then Racial Justice and Civil Rights Empowerment and Economic Advancement of Women and Girls Health and Safety of Women and Girls YWCA IS ON A MISSION n o w 16
Topeka, Kansas, 1910 then now Groundbreaking for YWCA Building Asheville, NC, 2001 YWCA IS ON A MISSION 17
World YWCA 18 18
WORLD YWCA: Meets Every Four Years The World YWCA board of directors is called the World Executive Council and is comprised of YWCA leaders from all over the world 19
for every woman Today s YWCA USA 46 States & D.C. 1,000+ Program Sites YWCAs with: > 30 Program Sites > 20 Program Sites > 15 Program Sites > 10 Program Sites > 5 Program Sites 1-4 Program Sites YWCA IS ON A MISSION 20
ywca.org 21
Major YWCA Programs: Racial Justice and Civil Rights Women s and Girls : --Empowerment --Economic Advancement --Leadership Development --Health and Wellness Children s, Youth, Teen and Family Development Community Services Immigrant and Refugee Support Housing Sexual Assault and Trafficking Services and Prevention Domestic Violence Services and Prevention These major program areas encompass the delivery of more than 4,000 services. Major YWCA programs are outcome-based and results-measured. 22
YWCA IS ON A MISSION 23
YWCA IS ON A MISSION 24
YWCA USA 25