Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women, and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for All
YWCA Kalamazoo is working every day to provide direct services and shaping polices that affect the most vulnerable in our community. This combination of advocacy and programming is reflected in four strategic focus areas that included; 1) advocacy and system change; 2) improving lives of children; 3) caring for victims of abuse; 4) promoting maternal and child health. Our four Strategic Focus Areas are mission-driven, evidence based, and high in quality. YWCA Kalamazoo is a champion of positive social change in response to community needs.
Advancing Our Mission
Improving the Lives of Children
In 2018, YWCA Kalamazoo delivered 69 presentations to 2,248 middle and high schoolers, college students, at-risk youth, and other community members.
YWCA Kalamazoo Children’s Center provided childcare to 52 children and supported their parents through family engagement activities.
Advocacy & Systems Change
In 2018, more than 7,145 community members participated in education and training programs to increase awareness in Kalamazoo.
Promoting Maternal & Child Health
In 2018, YWCA WISH Home Visitation Program received 160 referrals and enrolled 242 new clients.
Caring for Victims of Abuse
YWCA Kalamazoo is the only domestic violence shelter in the county. One in three women in the U.S. will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime.
In 2018, YWCA Kalamazoo provided 20,889 nights of emergency shelter and support to women and families in the Kalamazoo00 community.
In 2018, YWCA Kalamazoo Domestic Assault Program provided:
- Crisis shelter to 399 victims of domestic violence and 636 children,
- 1,626 hours of therapeutic services were provided to 174 survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking,
- 2,102 crisis calls made to the crisis line seeking services, information, and referrals.
In 2019, YWCA Kalamazoo Sexual Assault Program provided 191 sexual assault forensic exams on-site at the YWCA Kalamazoo.