What We Do
YWCA of Central Virginia is eliminating racism and empowering women. We will get up and do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, until the world sees women, and girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.
For over a hundred years, your YWCA has served the women, children, and families of Central Virginia. Founded in 1912 by a dedicated group of women, YWCA of Central Virginia has grown and adapted to meet the varying needs of the communities we serve which currently includes seven counties and one city, an area of 4,400 square miles with a population of over 400,000 community members.
YWCA of Central VA works to ensure that victims become survivors, trauma is treated, and housing for women remains attainable and safe. We currently host three key direct service programs to meet our mission:
YWCA's Victim Services Programs include our Domestic Violence Prevention Program (DVPP) and our Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP). The DVPP provides our communities only 24/7 domestic violence hotline, shelter, and comprehensive wraparound services to move men, women, and children who are fleeing the trauma of domestic violence from surviving to thriving. Our DVPP also provides the community only independent Children's Supervised Visitation Center. SARP provides the communities only 24/7 sexual assault and violence hotline, critical crisis response to our local emergency departments, and comprehensive wraparound services for primary and secondary survivors of adult and youth sexual assault, rape, and human trafficking.
YWCA is working to also engage our youth in family and gender-based violence prevention through the AMENDTogether Program that will launch in 2021. AMENDTogether, a program established by YWCA of Nashville (TN), is dedicated to ending violence against women and girls by engaging men and boys to change the culture that supports violence. The program focuses on middle and high school young men, and pairs them with adult male mentors to engage them in evidence-based curriculum to help them boldly support the women and girls they love. AMEND Together also has partnered with the General Commission on United Methodist Men to create an eight-week group series in which men will learn to recognize, respond to, and prevent violence against women called AMENDing Through Faith which YWCA is proud to help sponsor in our community.
YWCA's Town Center Women's Residential Housing Program provides lifesaving opportunities for women facing housing insecurity and homelessness who earn under 200% FPL. Our residents, on average, earn $795 per month so affording an apartment in our community is next to impossible. The Town Center Housing Program provides women with single accommodations including furnishings, linens, utilities, and other amenities for under $300 per month. The program provides free laundry facilities, community lounges with cable television, and a community kitchen. In addition, YWCA works with residents to provide one-on-one mentorship to help our residents find stability and reach their goals.
Your YWCA continues to engage our community through our social justice and racial justice community education opportunities. YWCA Central VA continues to grow its Racial Justice Program - which currently includes an annual Side by Side for Racial Justice and Harmony Walk and an annual free 21 Day Racial Equity & Social Justice Challenge.
