Ywca Kalamazoo

The Ywca sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking programs include providing the only services of this kind in Kalamazoo county to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The Ywca provides the only program in Kalamazoo county offering a comprehensive continuum of services designed exclusively for victims/survivors of domestic violence/sexual assault/human trafficking and their dependent children. Services include a secure on-site crisis shelter (58 bed capacity), human trafficking shelter, with emergency off-site overflow capacity; a 24-hour crisis line; individual counseling; support groups; advocacy through the legal, law enforcement, and judicial processes; information, referral and assistance regarding housing, employment and other support services.

Advocacy and systems change is one of the four strategic focus areas of Ywca Kalamazoo. The advocacy and systems change pillar provides programming focused on advancing race and gender equity through public policy strategies, community impact efforts, resource connections, community health initiatives, and narrative change communications. Collectively the programmatic area supports our remaining strategic focus areas in serving the most vulnerable women, children, and families of color who have experienced discrimination, poverty, homelessness, poor health outcomes and violence. The advocacy and systems change department works hand in hand with policymakers on a local, state and federal level, community-based organizations, community leaders and local health systems about issues regarding Women's health & safety, economic advancement, racial equity and infant mortality reduction efforts (cradle Kalamazoo).

The Ywca dreamery (formerly known as the children's centers) is a nationally accredited, state-licensed early learning childcare program for children birth through school age in the downtown location and birth through 12 years old (to include drop-in care) at the edison location. The Ywca dreamery program uses a highly regarded curriculum to meet the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral needs of children from widely diverse backgrounds. The program focuses on serving the most vulnerable children who have experienced poverty, homelessness, and violence. Ninety percent of our children qualify for tuition assistance through the Ywca tuition assistance program.