WHO WE ARE
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice,
freedom and dignity for all. Founded in 1858, the YWCA is one of the oldest and largest multicultural
women’s organizations in the United States. For over 150 years, the YWCA has been at the forefront
of most social movements—from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity,
from violence prevention to health care reform. A unique aspect of the YWCA is that we combine
programming and advocacy in order to generate institutional change. Local YWCAs offer services and
programs in three key areas: Racial Justice and Civil Rights, Women’s Empowerment, and Women’s
Health and Safety.
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YWCAs serve more than 2 million women and families annually
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There are more than 220 local YWCA associations in over 1,200 locations in 47 states and the
District of Columbia
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The YWCA has over 12,500 staff members and 43,000 volunteers
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Worldwide, the YWCA serves 25 million women and girls in 120 countries
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The YWCA is the 25th largest nonprofit organization in the country
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Racial Justice and Civil Rights
o 175—over 85 percent—of YWCAs offer distinct racial justice programs addressing
personal, institutional, and/or structural racism
o In 2013, nearly 300,000 individuals participated in racial justice education and training
programs to increase awareness, break down stereotypes, and increase access to the polls
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Women’s Empowerment
o 78 percent of women and children served by the YWCA have incomes below the
federal poverty level or less, the equivalent of about $23,850 a year for a family of four,
addressing the unique needs of those living in poverty and working toward outcomes to
increase emotional and economic self-sufficiency
o Every year, YWCA associations provide:
 More than 150,000 women with economic empowerment programs
 More than 2,400 military veterans and their families with emergency housing,
health care, career training and/or counseling
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Women’s Health and Safety
o The YWCA is one of the largest providers of domestic violence services in the U.S.
One in four women in the U.S. will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime
o Every year, YWCA associations provide:
 Over 350,000 women with health and fitness programs, healthy pregnancy
programs, mental health and drug abuse counseling, HIV/AIDS education and
prevention, and other support
 Nearly 980,000 (duplicate count*) women and children with domestic violence
services, which include emergency shelter, crisis hotlines, educational training,
counseling and support groups
 Nearly 260,000 (duplicate count**) women with sexual assault services, which
include emergency shelter, crisis hotlines, counseling and court assistance
*Counts all domestic violence and related services received.
** Counts all sexual assault and related services received.