What is the YWCA?
The YWCA is a world-wide non-profit organization in 122 countries around the world and has 300 local associations in the U.S. In Oregon, there is a YWCA in Salem and Portland.
What is the YWCA Salem?
We are a social service agency in Salem, Oregon, with programs that help families in need such as:
- Homeless families with children
- Teen mothers in high school
- Uninsured women with breast and cervical cancer
- Parents going through a divorce and their children
- And many more
We also hold several annual events that support our core programs. The YWCA has been serving families in the Salem community for almost 100 years.
What does YWCA stand for?
The YWCA began in the mid-1800s as the Ladies Christian Association. Later the name was changed to the Young Women Christian Association because the focus was on meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of young women who worked during the industrial revolution. The mission has since become broader and more inclusive.
You have Christian in your name; are you a religious organization or a church?
YWCA is a secular, not a religious organization. While the YWCA roots stemmed from the Christian faith, today it promotes universal values such as justice, freedom, and peace, and does not espouse any particular religion. The YWCA promotes the idea that diversity and tolerance is essential to a healthy community.
Do you serve only women? Are you a feminist group?
The YWCA has been instrumental in the fight against inequalities toward women and minorities for the past 150 years, and we are proud of that history. Our niche is to provide service and address issues that are important to woman, but we serve people and families of all types including men and children.
What is the YWCA Salem’s stance on Women’s Reproductive Health?
YWCA USA supports reproductive health and rights policies which ensure women have access to comprehensive health information and affordable, quality healthcare to enable women to maintain optimal health, make informed personal life decisions and lead productive lives.
The YWCA supports the right of every woman to make individual decisions based upon her own religious and ethical beliefs.
Do men work for the YWCA or serve on the Board?
Men can and do contribute to the success of the YWCA through employment, volunteering, and donations. In developing countries, the women-only policy for serving on the Board helps give women an opportunity for leadership in traditionally male-dominated regions. This has become less important in the United States, and so YWCAs across the U.S. recently voted to allow local organizations have men serve on the Board of Directors if they choose to do so.
Are you part of the YMCA?
Despite the similar name, the YWCA and YMCA are completely separate organizations. Both the YWCA and YMCA began in the mid 1800s in London with similar goals, but were separate groups. Today they are still separate organizations with distinct missions.
Do you have a pool?
The YWCA Salem does not have a swimming pool. Historically, fitness and recreation activities for women were an important focus of the YWCA. Because of changing community needs, the YWCA Salem has changed its focus away from fitness to social services.
How do I rent one of those apartments in your building?
The affordable housing units in our new building on Broadway are not owned or managed by the YWCA. Please contact management for the Broadway Place Apartments at 503-588-8320 for more information.
If I donate to the YWCA, where will my money go?
All donations received help support the programs of the local YWCA Salem. Donations directly support families in need in your own community.
How does the YWCA receive its operating income?
The YWCA has several income sources. We have contracts for some services with the federal, state, county and city governments, charge fees for some services, receive periodic grant and foundation funding, receive funding from United Way, income from special events, and individual and business donations and sponsorships.
Is the Salem Outreach Shelter part of the YWCA?
Yes, the Salem Outreach Shelter merged with the YWCA in 2001 and is a program of the YWCA.
Is the Teen Parent Childcare Program on the Chemeketa campus part of the YWCA?
Yes, the Teen Parent Program was started at the YWCA 41 years ago, and continues to be a YWCA program that helps teen mothers in high school. YWCA has partnered with the Salem-Keizer School District and Chemeketa Community College to provide this service. The YWCA operates the Child Development Center in this partnership.