YWCA St. Paul

We are dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women
and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Give for good!

When you make a gift to YWCA St. Paul, you become an integral part of our mission to eliminate racism and empower women. You can help us do things like:

• Provide safe, stable housing for 57 families - many of whom are single mothers, living with chronic illness, or have experienced long-term homelessness
• Give wrap-around services to families in our housing, like financial and life skills education and assistance in navigating school, health, and community resources
• Support young women of color transitioning out of foster care through our YW STRIDE program
• Empower 400+ participants in our Employment & Economic Development programs to build professional skills and overcome barriers to employment and financial stability
• Provide fitness scholarships to families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford our Health & Fitness Center
• YWCA St. Paul has been a champion for equality since 1907. 
• Our asset-building human services programs improve life outcomes for youth and adults marginalized because of their race, culture, gender, or economic status.
• We help families build a better future through education, education, advocacy, and services that address disparities in housing, education, employment, and health and wellness.
• We lead the community in advancing racial justice and women’s empowerment through education, advocacy, and high-impact programs.

YWCA ST. PAUL CORE PROGRAMS

HOUSING & SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
YWCA St. Paul provides transitional and permanent supportive housing for the most vulnerable in our community - families coming out of homelessness. The families who find stable housing and wrap-around support services in our program come to us in crisis. 

Most have severe trauma, many are fleeing domestic violence, and some are struggling with mental or chemical health challenges. They come to us from shelters, living in their car, living on the streets, or couch-hopping with their children. With housing stability and case management support, families achieve their educational and employment goals for a better future.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 

Our Participants acquire knowledge and skills to become self-sufficient and stabilize their families through employment. 

• YW Works
  Empowers African American families receiving MFIP to maximize their economic self-sufficiency. This program also helps to support and stabilize their families through employment support services that meet the individual participant needs and strengthen cultural connections. 
• Career Pathways
  This program supports BIPOC community members 18 years of age and older living at 200% poverty level or below, provides CNA training and support services. 

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

• STRIDE 
  YWCA St. Paul's STRIDE program supports young women of color ages 17 to 24 who are transitioning from foster care by helping them secure stable housing and navigate relationships, resources, and systems. These are individualized, case management-driven programs that provide holistic services, empowering participants to build confidence and self-efficacy.
  
  
• YOUNG WOMEN'S INITIAVE 
  YWCA St. Paul proudly supports the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, their Young Women's Initiative program and its current 23 youth members. These young women are appointed as Cabinet members by the MN Governor’s Office. They represent young women of color, American Indian young women, young women from Greater Minnesota, LGBTQ+ youth, and young women with disabilities. YWCA St. Paul supports the YWI Cabinet members as they build their leadership and advocacy skills and bring their lived experience to the solutions YWI advances to achieve equity in opportunity for youth across the state.

RACIAL JUSTICE
YWCA St. Paul works to advance Racial Justice to provide a better understanding of how racism and gender inequality impacts our lives. We inform and empower members in our community to advocate for racial justice and gender equity through events, workshops, conversation, and trainings. Our Racial Justice initiatives help educate individual, organizations, and donors to fight racism, gender-based violence and to equip those affected and our community to work towards equality. 

HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER
As a mission-based organization, our Health & Fitness Center is an inclusive community where people of different races, ethnicities, cultures, faiths, economic status, and gender identities are welcomed. We are committed to making our fitness facility accessible and offer a variety of group fitness classes, cardio and strength-training equipment, swim lessons, a sauna, hot tub and personal training.

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