ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE

In May 2019, our Board of Directors entered a strategic dialogue to identify our local priorities and impact focus areas. While we know that there are many areas that are critical to racial justice and gender equality, our leadership chose to focus on Women’s Access to Healthcare, Recidivism and Reentry, and Census 2020 and Immigration in addition to our enhancing and expanding our community services.

When systemic and institutional decisions are made in these areas without a lens towards race and gender, women, people of color, and their families are significantly impacted.

WOMEN’S ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

Quality, affordable, culturally-competent health care is critical to everyone, but for many women, children, people of color, and trauma survivors, getting the medical care and insurance coverage they need is a struggle. Moreover, unequal access to health care is a driving factor in racial disparities in maternal and other health outcomes in the U.S.

What we support:

  • The Affordable Care Act
  • Improving access to healthcare
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Comprehensive reproductive health services
  • Improved maternal health outcomes for women of color
  • Elimination of health disparities
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CENSUS 2020

YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women demands that we show up to advocate against the oppression that many groups and individuals endure. We recognize the interconnected experiences of discrimination and disadvantage that women face from their overlapping identities.

What we support:

  • A full and fair census
  • Restoration of the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
  • Legal protections for LGTBQ+ people
  • Equal rights amendment
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RECIDIVISM & REENTRY

Arizona imprisons women at almost twice the rate of other states and has the 2nd highest rate of female prisoners in the country. Women of color are disproportionately represented in the prison population and Arizona has the highest recidivism rate in the country. We are currently working with our partners across the county to understand the barriers and barriers women who are incarcerated face, as well as the impact of incarceration on their families.

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IMMIGRATION

YWCA supports immigrants because we are committed to ensuring that those seeking safety and opportunity in the U.S. can arrive and live without fear, harm, or discrimination. Current immigration policies, however, have retraumatized survivors of violence, heightened fears, and exacerbated discrimination against immigrant communities. Any discussion of immigration must prioritize the safety of immigrant women, children, and families who often have experienced violence, trafficking, extreme poverty, and other threats to their safety and health.

What we support:

  • The DREAM Act
  • An end to family separation and family detention
  • Asylum for survivors of violence
  • Full and fair immigration and asylum proceedings
Learn More

Testimonials

Sonya H.

Can I just say HOLY WOW! The Negotiation discussion today was exactly what we need as women! It is so helpful to hear from other women. I don’t have many business women in my family so this was so valuable to me!

Robert S.

Thank you for the delicious meals, and for always checking on me. Some days are just a little rougher than others these days.

Pauline B.

The meals this week are better than last! They keep getting better.

Joan H.

Thank you for the wonderful meals, they just keep getting better. Thank you also for my daily wellness call.

Michael L.

All the meals are very good, truly enjoy them.

Don & Judy L.

We want to tell you how much the meals you provide are a blessing to us. The variety of the meals are very healthy. We are so blessed by this – supplying us with meals. Thank you!

Susan Z.

Thank you for sending me out the beautiful, delicious produce.

Linda D.

I love the food. I miss going to the YW to pick it up and seeing some familiar faces.

Community Case Manager

Thank you for assisting me in obtaining the right resources to help my client and his wife. I felt like I was getting the “run around” with all the numbers I was calling and leaving messages at. I couldn’t get an actual person on the phone until I called you at the YWCA. I wanted to be able to give the client’s daughter good contact information for resources.  Once I spoke with you, I felt confident to give my client the referral information to get them started with your Meals on Wheels Program.

Nicole G.

I originally planned to open my own tanning salon and so I went to the classes to gain more knowledge. I am thankful for everything I learned and feel that it helped me narrow my goals. I now own my own lash line! I’m very excited to move forward!

Simon A.

I enjoyed coming to these classes and have learned a lot. Thank you for your help.

Adriana Z.

The presenters are excellent! They listened, were patient, and gave me the opportunity to visualize my plan for spending.

Brittany W.

With what I learned, I am excited to fix my financial situation!

Luigui A.

I am a student without a fixed income but this course is understandable and helps me plan for when I am an adult.

Emi H.

The educators were amazing! It’s great to learn more about my financial health. Thank you so much.

Jane

It feels good to help those who otherwise could not do for themselves, and I laugh a lot here and have a good time. The YWCA has good people and programs that I learn a lot from. It is helpful on every level!

Ida Z.

I love everything about the YWCA, everyone here is so nice; it’s what keeps me coming back!

Gene V.

As a volunteer at the YWCA West Valley Center, I host sing-a-longs and Name that Tune with the seniors. I genuinely enjoy the fun of singing and the fun it brings people. I just enjoy making the world a happier place.

Rick L.

The Own It! Program is an amazing program and one that I am honored to be a part of, along with all our other instructors.  The service it provides to our clients is such an important one and helps them achieve their goals.

Laverle L.

Thanks for calling. I appreciate the concern.

Mary Anne P.

It’s great to know someone has my back. I am grateful for the call.

Lester G.

I like hearing from you. I’m grateful for the service and phone calls.

Mary T.

I am thankful for my meals. I really like my driver, DeAndre. He was so prepared with gloves and a mask.

Mary Jane H.

My friends introduced me to YWCA Senior Center. I felt very much at home at the center. Everyone was so helpful and enjoyable I decided to continue going to the center. I have been coming to the YWCA for 20 years.  We have many activities, such as cards, puzzles, games, bingo, talking, of course, with all our friends, and presentations on health and safety issues. This keeps me active and gives me a reason to get out of bed. I will continue to come to the YWCA until I am not able to drive.

Ida Z.

When I moved here all was new to me so I just stayed home. My son told me that there is a YWCA Senior Center right next door. I decided I would stop by and see what YWCA was about.  I was greeted so warmly, all the seniors make me feel so welcome. I decided to keep coming back, YWCA keeps me up to date with all the different presentations that it offers.

Joan B.

As a young mother I joined Y-Women –a national YW program that impacted my life for the rest of my life! Now as a retired grandmother of six, I volunteer at the West Valley Senior Center to help seniors help themselves. I personally must live up to my mantra to the seniors – Get up, get dressed and get out!  As a volunteer, I definitely learned the value of socialization, my nutrition has improved, and it has really helped my mental health to remain active and helpful. I look forward to going every day and helping with whatever I can.

Mary L.

Three years ago, a chance visit to the YWCA Senior Center opened a new world for me. With no family or close friends in Arizona, I felt isolated and depressed. What struck me upon my arrival was the warm welcome I received and the joie de vivre I was missing. I felt this was a lifeline I needed.

Bailey A.

I was able to get assistance to make a payment plan with my creditor that fits my budget.

Edilma C.

I successfully budgeted and saved money thanks to the Own It! Program!

Kelly W.

I was hit with sudden medical bills from an accident. Because I was able to create an emergency fund, this accident didn’t cause me to go into debt.

Tina O.

After applying what I learned from the Own It Budgeting class, I was able to increase my savings from $25 to $1,500!

Diane H.

I have been able to reduce my credit card debt and increase my savings after participating in the Own It! financial course. Keeping my financial stability is now become a goal of mine!

Get InvolveD

Your voice matters as we stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen communities. Whether you have time, talents, or treasures to contribute, learn how you can plug in to the YWCA community.

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