YWCA Greater Cincinnati

Health & Safety Protecting the safety of women and girls is a primary pillar of the YWCA's mission. Shelter, housing and interventions are provided while working to prevent the cycles of violence. Family Violence Prevention & Intervention Services: Provides a continuum of services to help keep survivors of family violence safe and prevent future occurrences of violence. Prevention Services: Provides prevention education to students about teen dating violence and bullying. Intervention Services: Provides shelter and housing to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Shelter, food, counseling, and coordination of community resources are offered for the safety and stabilization for each family. Community-based intervention services include court advocacy, case management and domestic violence services for child protective cases including specialized programming for immigrant survivors and those with disabilities.

Recognition & Inclusion YWCA has long understood that all women cannot be empowered unless the issue of racism is addressed. Racial justice is at the core of the YWCA's work and the third primary pillar because women of color are often the most marginalized and have the least access to resources. Racial justice is more than a programmatic intervention, it is a guiding philosophy and practice that is incorporated into all of the YWCA's work.Racial justice means advocating for all kinds of protections that impact the lives of women and girls. The YWCA's fight for women is a fight for all women of color and immigrant women. YWCA also has a broad view of gender justice that includes the experiences of LGBTQ people and those targeted because of their gender identity or perceived gender identity. At the core of the YWCA's work is the recognition that all women, or all people, are not treated equally. Work is done through direct service, education and advocacy. Specific initiatives include: Racial Justice Annual Breakfast, Racial Justice Educational Series, and Stand Against Racism Campaign.

Economic EmpowermentExpanding economic opportunities and creating avenues to promote the empowerment of women and girls is another primary pillar the YWCA's mission. Family Learning & Employment Services remove barriers to self-sufficiency and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty to individuals and children. A partnership between YWCA and Cincinnati Early Learning Center provides an academically and socially-enriched, 5-star rated child care experience, preparing children for kindergarten. Workforce Development empowers individuals with the skills to attain viable employment, increase financial stability and reach self-sufficiency.