about us
2012-13
our mission
YWCA Greater Baton Rouge is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace,
justice, freedom and dignity for all.
2013
our vision
In the 21st century, the YWCA Greater Baton Rouge will be the premier service movement for women in a
community where women are respected leaders in all sectors of society, diversity is embraced, and all people
belong to one race-the human race.
our history
The YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge is a non-profit organization affiliated with the YWCA of the USA, which
has a rich 150+year legacy of social justice. The YWCA was first organized in 1943 to serve only white
women and girls. Local black women formed the Maggie Nance Ringgold Unit of the YWCA eleven years
later.
The two co-existed until 1965, when national convention action correctly mandated all YWCAs in the
country to desegregate. White members of the local YWCA voted to disaffiliate from the YWCA of the USA (at
a meeting where the Unit members were not allowed to vote), seceded from the national organization,
changed the organizational name to the Young Women’s Christian Organization (YWCO) and retained the
YWCA’s assets, including its building. Eventually the YWCO was dissolved.
In 1967, the YWCA Greater Baton Rouge reorganized as an integrated association, was re-chartered in
1968 by the YWCA of the USA, and began its early and renowned racial justice programming. Today the
YWCA continues to work for the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women. Key programs
include ENCOREplus (breast cancer outreach and education), Early Head Start (high quality child care and
education for families with low-incomes and children 0 – 3), and Youth and Teen Services (teen pregnancy
and STD prevention programming and HIV/AIDS testing services), along with Racial and Social Justice.
our structure
The YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge is a private, non-profit organization affiliated with the YWCA of the USA
as a member. The organization provides programs and services connected to its Mission, and is supported
by federal, state and local governmental grants; private foundations; Capital Area United Way; private
donations from individuals and fundraising activities. The total (2013) budget is $2,607,741, with high
dependence on one source: federal funding of Early Head Start at $2,118,088 (revised down due to
sequestration by approximately $109,000 mid-year 2013).
our programs
YWCA ENCOREplus
Fast Fact: Although the breast cancer diagnosis rate in our State is consistent with the rest of the USA,
the survival rate in Louisiana is 49th in the country.
YWCA ENCOREplus offers grassroots breast and cervical health education and awareness to uninsured and
underserved women. The program is designed to reduce deaths due to breast and cervical cancers
among high-risk, medically underserved women. The program focuses on African American women aged 40
and older because of their disproportionately high death rate from these cancers, chiefly due to late detection;
however, women of all races and ethnicities are served.
YWCA ENCOREplus 2012 Performance Indicators:
 Educational contacts: 44,350 / 111 % of goal
 Mammogram referrals: 3,379 / 113 % of goal
 Clinical breast examination referrals: 3,484 / 116 % of goal
YWCA Early Head Start
Fast Fact: Over the past fifteen years Early Head Start has reversed the national high school
graduation rate of adolescent parents. The average graduation rate of participants in the program is
82% compared to the national rate of 30%-40%.
The YWCA Early Head Start Program provides comprehensive educational and health services for pregnant
adolescents, children of adolescent parents, young children with disabilities, and children living in poverty and
their families. The program is first and foremost a child development program that seeks to enhance the
development of children during their formative early childhood years with a goal of promoting school readiness
and effective parenting. (NOTE: All children served are 0 – 3)
YWCA Early Head Start 2012 - 2013 performance Indicators:
 218 Children served, aged 0 – 3 including 18 pregnant women, all at or below the federal poverty line.
 185 families served.
 Of these, 38 were children with diagnosed disabilities, 5 were homeless, 1 was in foster care.
 Of these, 179 were from single parent families, 124 parents were in school, and 85 parents were working..
 Of the 13 parents who were high school seniors, 12 graduated (92%), one parent earned her bachelor’s degree and one
earned her master’s degree.
 128 families received emergency assistance (resources for food/shelter/clothing), 131 received health education and 180
received parenting education.
YWCA Youth & Teen Services: SIHLE / RISE
Fast Fact: According to 2010 CDC statistics Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ranked #1 in the nation in
estimated new AIDS case rates per capita.
 SIHLE: (Sisters Informing Healing Living & Empowering) focuses on preventing the spread of HIV,
other STDs and decreasing new teen pregnancies by providing a safe environment for group discussions,
behavioral skills practice and role plays about sensitive topics such as abstinence, safe sex options,
partner communication, media and social influence, gender and ethnic pride, etc.
 RISE: (Reaching Impacting Strengthening & Empowering Women in the Fight Against HIV) educates
citizens on appropriate lifestyle choices and sexual responsibility through community outreach, provides
free HIV testing, saves lives through prevention and early detection, provides free supplies, and provides
free pre-and post counseling to everyone we test.
YWCA Youth & Teen Services 2012 performance indicators:
 Over 1,000 community members received outreach & education services.
 Over 250 community members received free & confidential HIV testing & counseling

43 African-American female teens ages 14-18 participated in SIHLE
YWCA Racial and Social Justice
Fast Fact: The Pew Research Center's analysis of 2009 government data says the median wealth of
white households is 20 times that of black households and 18 times that of Hispanic households
YWCA Racial and Social Justice programming continues the organization’s rich legacy of combating
racism in our community by offering programming and collaborating with other organizations in their
activities.
YWCA Racial & Social Justice intermediate outcomes are:
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Our community has a deep understanding of historical racism, whiteness, white privilege, and institutional racism, and
recognizes that its long-term viability is dependent upon the elimination of racism.
People of color and white allies collectively dismantle systemic racism, and create a just, equitable society for all.
strong alone…fearless together.