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- EIN 91-0568718
- (360) 352-0593
- 220 Union Ave Se Olympia WA 98501-1322 USA
- www.ywcaofolympia.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Mission: The ywca of olympia is a non-profit, multi-service organization that has been serving girls, women and their families in the south sound since 1945. The ywca of olympia has worked tirelessly to change history-from civil rights to women's rights, from advocacy for women's health care to an end to violence against women and girls. In fact, local organizations such as safe place, the rape relief center, the refugee center, and the crisis clinic all began as ywca of olympia programs. Our mission is to eliminate racial and gender inequality and advance the social and economic status of all women and girls. We accomplish this by providing direct service to individuals, educating the community on relevant issues and engaging in advocacy to promote systemic change. All or our work and initiatives are focused on the three strategic platform areas of economic empowerment, leadership and health and wellness.
Programs: The other bank provides toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, diapers, and feminine supplies to those in need. We also offer necessities of daily living such as dish soap, laundry detergent, and hand soap. Products distributed by the other bank cannot be purchased with food stamps and are not available at food banks; yet they are essential for maintaining health and personal dignity. The ywca of olympia is the only agency in the south puget sound that distributes family size quantities of these necessary items. Other bank clients are children, the elderly, the disabled, homeless, unemployed or under-employed individuals that are financially insecure. The other bank serves up to 150 individuals each week.
girls without limits (gwol) is a low/no-cost weekend, spring break and summer camp, girls winter summit and afterschool club that encourages girls ages 10-14 to develop skills in science, technology, engineering, & math (stem), gain career awareness via mentorship with professional women, and foster self-esteem and leadership skills in a positive and fun learning environment. Adolescent girls face tremendous social pressure that can deter them from pursuing science and math activities. However, gwol empowers girls to be confident in their abilities and invites them to explore future stem careers and college majors.
girls circle is an afterschool, peer support group for adolescent girls located at schools and other community locations throughout thurston county. Girls circle creates a safe space for girls to learn about social and emotional development, self-image, authentic relationships, healthy self-expression and good decisions. Girls engage in lively discussions and creative activities in a fun and supportive environment. Girls circle promotes academic achievement, improves the ability of girls to form healthier bonds with others, increases protective factors and reduces risk-taking behaviors.
girls for a change empowers girls to create social change and become leaders. This afterschool program invites young women to design, lead and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods. Girls for a change (gfc) takes place at schools in the afterschool hours. Each gfc site creates an action team made up of 6-10 girls and is facilitated by a trained gfc coach who supports the girls' projects and brings in the resources and training girls need to be successful. Facilitators teach the girls essential project planning and execution skills while participants learn how to tackle community problems such as low self-esteem, animal neglect, bullying, and environmental degradation. The women's economic empowerment program equips low income and unemployed women with increased competence, confidence and connections so that they are better positioned to obtain employment, move out of poverty and experience economic security. We offer hands on job training, a weekly gender-responsive workshop focused on helping women develop the soft skills and confidence they need to be successful, unique career oriented networking and wellness events, and professional clothing through kathleen's closet. Ywca services compliment and support other job training opportunities available in thurston county and are uniquely focused on empowering women.