Mission
YWCA NYC empowers women in New York City to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities as they navigate the intersections of race, class, and gender. Through culturally responsive programming, we create pathways for the next generation of leaders to reach for their dreams and drive social change.
YWCA USA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Vision
Empowered girls, empowered women paving the way toward a more equitable world.
Values
Integrity
We hold ourselves accountable to each other to provide the highest quality services to our community. We approach our work with honesty, transparency and commitment to ethical and professional principles.
Equity
We embrace the rich diversity of our community and acknowledge that not all people are afforded or have access to the same opportunities. We strive to equal the playing field by identifying and providing services based on the needs of those in our community.
Respect
We honor all people’s inherent dignity and humanity. We treat those we encounter through our work thoughtfully, constructively and with empathy and kindness.
Empowerment
We work to inspire, educate, and uplift the people we work with and serve, enabling all to advocate for themselves and their communities.
Advocacy
We promote advocacy through our programs, encouraging those we serve to learn about, speak out and address issues vital to their lives and their communities.
Joy
We learn through play, grow through celebrating our differences, and bring authenticity to our community through the beauty of our cultures.
History
Since 1858, YWCA NYC has helped women in New York City find safe housing, education, and opportunity, and has been at the forefront of most major movements for women.
- 1858Founded in New York, based on an idea developed in London a few years earlier, to give young women, both U.S. and foreign-born, safe housing and educational resources.
- 1870sLed the way in job training with the first typewriting instruction for women, the first sewing machine classes, and the first employment bureau for women.
- 1912Built a training center with a residence and spacious meeting rooms at 610 Lexington Avenue.
- 1915Bought the 610 Lexington Avenue building and opened the first public swimming pool in New York State.
- 20th centuryA pioneer in race relations, labor union representation, and women’s health, with programs in housing, job training, sex education, physical fitness, and friendship.
- 1980610 Lexington Avenue houses the YWCA national offices, board meeting rooms, and residence facilities until 1980.
- 2005610 Lexington Avenue serves as YWCA NYC’s headquarters until 2005.
- TodayThe YWCA is one of the oldest and largest membership organizations in the world. YWCA NYC is independently owned and operated, and connected to a global network of sister YWCAs serving 25 million women in more than 100 countries.
