YWCA’s commitment to eliminating racism, empowering women, and the fight for equity for all, is rooted in helping women and their families as one of the oldest social justice, human connection agencies in Greater Rochester. As a national social justice organization, YWCA USA has been at the forefront of some the most pressing social movements for more than 160 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform.
Today, we combine programming and advocacy to generate institutional change in three key areas:
• Racial justice and civil rights,
• Empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls,
• Health and safety of women and girls.
Nationally, YWCA USA works to shape national policies affecting the lives of women and girls while preserving flexibility for each local Association to plan and implement YWCA mission-based programs that are based on needs expressed by those served and throughout their YWCA community. In Rochester, YWCA has been working in the service of women and their families for more than 130 years. YWCA Rochester and Monroe County advance the Association’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Through our racial equity and inclusion programming, housing and young adult services
YWCA Rochester & Monroe County embodies a social justice organization on a mission as an impactful community-based organization in Greater Rochester by providing services to support and improve the lives of women and their families from marginalized groups and vulnerable populations. In the early 1900s, as the African American population increased in Rochester, there was a need for suitable recreational facilities for people of color. As a result, a group of notable women of color organized the first two chapters of “Colored Women Branches of the YWCA”.
The first to be organized was called the Unity Chapter. The second was the Phillis Wheatley Chapter.
These branches developed and delivered programs for the women and girls of color in Rochester’s 3rd Ward and Southwest side.
Some of the programs included:
• Job skills/vocational training
• Health talks
• Social etiquette
• Holiday Celebrations
• Dances and social mixers
• Musicals
In 1922, the organization established a race relations committee and created the Caladonia Street Branch of the YWCA for African American women, later called the Clarissa Street Colored Branch YWCA, which included the Phyllis
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Wheatley and Unity branches.Ms. Rochelle, at 98 years young, still lives in the Rochester area. She participated in programs at the Clarissa Street Branch YWCA and recalls the various activities fondly, specifically for young women and teenage girls.
By focusing on providing equitable service to all women, by 1951, all of the YWCA’s programs and services were fully integrated at its new facility at 175 North Clinton Avenue – which serves as YWCA’s main campus today. YWCA intentionally highlights the intersections of race and gender through our mission-driven programs and services. We are committed to disrupting the oppressive systems that have historically targeted women and girls from marginalized communities. We serve more than 1000 women and their families each year.
Some of our current programs include:
• Racial Equity & Inclusion’
• Emergency Housing
• Steppingstone Treatment
• Domestic Violence
• Supportive Housing
• Long Term Affordable Housing
• Parents as Teachers
• Human Sexuality Education
• STD Prevention As a community-based YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County, non-profit organizations rely heavily on support from grants, awards, and individual donations.
Listed below are ways you can help move our mission forward.
• Join the Mission
• Make a financial donation or pledge
• Adopt a Room
• Adopt a Family
• Support Warm Beds
• Volunteer at the YWCA
Your financial gifts and prayers of support to YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County can help restore hope and promise for a better day in our beloved community. If you are interested in giving or want to learn more, please visit our website at www.ywcarochester.org.
By Dr. Myra P Henry, CEO YWCA
