Community Engagement to Advance the Mission and Movement of YWCA
YWCA Kalamazoo promotes systems change through community engagement to promote racial and gender equity culture and environment activities to foster participation and engagement of community partnerships to advance the mission and movement of YWCA. Membership in the YWCA reflects your belief in the value of supporting a local organization that has represented women’s interests since 1885 in the Kalamazoo community. It is also a cost-effective way to support vital services to children and families throughout the community.
Stand Against Racism (July)
Stand Against Racism is an annual campaign of YWCA USA, designed to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the impact of institutional and structural racism. Our annual campaign provides an opportunity for communities across Kalamazoo to highlight an issue or cause that inspires them to take a stand against racism, and to unite their voices to educate, advocate, and promote racial justice.
Women’s March Kalamazoo (January)
YWCA Kalamazoo hosted its inaugural Women’s March Kalamazoo on January 18, 2020. The goal of Women’s March is to harness the power of diverse women in our community to create transformative social change. This women-led movement is providing intersectional education on a diverse range of issues and creating entry points for us to engage our local community. We have knitted together a powerful movement of people who are committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance and building inclusive structures.
Women’s Equality Day (August)
In 1971, congress designated August 26th as Women’s Equality Day. The observance of Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gives citizens the right to vote regardless of their gender but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality.
EmpowerHer College Signing Day (March)
The Kalamazoo Promise and YWCA Kalamazoo collaborated to host EmpowerHer College Signing Day to celebrate young women who are juniors or seniors in Kalamazoo Public Schools and have made the commitment to complete their education beyond high school.
Celebrating these young women goes beyond this luncheon; it means the Kalamazoo community is proud of their commitment to education, invested in their futures, and excited to see what they do next.
YWCA Membership
Strengthened by diversity, YWCA Kalamazoo draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership, and power in order to attain a common vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.
Membership in the YWCA reflects your belief in the value of supporting a local organization that has represented women’s interests since 1885 in the Kalamazoo community. It is also a low-cost way to support vital services to children and families throughout the community.
Millennial Mixer (October)
The Millennial Mixer is an opportunity for working adults, ages 23 through 38, to discuss and support social justice initiatives that closely align with their values and morals. The event aims to highlight the Advocacy work of the Department of Mission Impact within YWCA Kalamazoo, and moreover, bring attention to the overall goals and mission of YWCA Kalamazoo. The Millennial Mixer also provides an outlet for young working professionals to network and cultivate relationships, with like-minded individuals, that promote the overall mission of YWCA Kalamazoo.
Assault & Violence Awareness Months
- Human Trafficking Awareness Month (January)
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April)
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October)
YWCA Kalamazoo works to bring awareness around domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to the Kalamazoo community. During these awareness months, we prioritize efforts and additional time to not only provide accurate information but to also promote our free and confidential resources and services to victims and survivors.
