From our beginning in 1858, the YWCA around the world has stood for the elimination of racism and empowerment of women – and still does today. We help millions of women every year.
We’ve come a long way over the past 146 years, but still have a long way to go.
Throughout the World: YWCAs are in 122 countries serving 25 million women and their families. www.worldywca.info
In the United States
YWCAs are in almost 300 communities serving over 2 million members and participants at 1,778 different sites and are organized into nine regions. The YWCA of Niagara is part of the Northeast region. Visit the main site at http://www.ywca.org.
Nationally, YWCAs employ 18,441 staff. We utilize 244,108 volunteers and deliver over 8,112 programs for children, youth and adults that include child care, before and after school care, youth & teen programs, fitness, racial justice, anti-violence, leadership development programs, housing & shelter programs.
The YWCA is the largest provider of domestic violence programs and shelters in the US, serving 700,000 women and children annually.
The YWCA is one of the largest nonprofit providers of child care in the United States with 750,000 children cared for annually.
We are 149 years old, and still on the cutting edge, guided by the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. The YWCA is still the oldest and largest multiracial women’s organization.
Yes, we are strong alone and fearless together.
Note: Statistics were gathered from Associations in 2003; 82% of Associations reporting.
Why Join?
- Get a voice
- Join over 25 million women and girls in over 100 countries fighting to eliminate racism and empower women.
- Make a difference In Niagara County alone, YWCA programs have helped more than 22,000 women, children and families.
- Influence change YWCA’s across the United States work closely with local, state and federal government representatives to protect and advance women’s rights, women’s pay and women’s health.
- Even the playing field More for girls does not mean less for boys – it means fighting to catch up to equal!
Continue the work of the women before you
The YWCA is the oldest and largest women’s membership movement in the nation. It began with a firm commitment to women, which has not wavered. The YWCA is committed to helping women become economically independent and self-sufficient. Can you imagine where we would be today if we didn’t fight for our rights? Can you image where we would be today if we all depended on someone else to do it for us? Can you imagine where we will be tomorrow if we don’t get involved today?
