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Donors provide an important role in our work to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
For over 80 years, the YWCA has been “opening doors and building dreams” for thousands of Westchester residents. It began in a small way in 1929 with the formation of a girls club. Next followed the purchase of a home rented out to women in need. Today, the YWCA Residence is undergoing a major renovation to upgrade and expand capacity to house 193 women. At our Activity Center, over 4,000 Westchester County residents are enriched each week by our array of programs from day care to gymnastics. Thousands of children participate in the YW’s early education programs, summer camps, fitness, aquatics and gymnastics programs. Adults enjoy our fitness center and classes; they participate in parent/child activities as well as special lectures and events.
However, the YWCA is more than a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a classroom. It is a place where friends and families can learn and share experiences together. We are committed to advocating for and providing services that strengthen the health and well being of our community, especially for women and children in need. The YWCA offers:
* a broad diverse community
* youth programs
* a free place to talk for at-risk adolescents
* free and low-cost breast cancer screening
* an affordable residence for low income women
* a safe place for visitation of children and their non-custodial parents
* support for abused women
* programs for people with developmental disabilities
* a nurturing learning environment
These programs and services are not simply recreational - many of them help save lives from teaching a child how to swim to providing critical health care screening. It is a place where adolescent girls are encouraged to believe in themselves, teenage mothers are supported in their efforts to finish high school, and the developmentally disabled can train for the Special Olympics. The YWCA also provides one of the only affordable housing venue for women in White Plains. Without the YWCA, a majority of the women currently living at the Residence would be homeless.
We strive to keep all of programs affordable so that working parents have a place to send their children that is safe, fun and educational. The YWCA’s Annual Fund plays a critical role in helping us bridge the gap between revenue generated by fees and grants so that we can offer scholarships and waivers for families that cannot afford to attend otherwise and to support key mission based programs.
Annual Fund: Supports ongoing and program needs from supplies, books to special activities.
Scholarship Fund: Tuition support for preschoolers and youth in our early childhood, after school, camp, swimming, gymnastics, and fitness programs.
Building Fund: For capital improvements to support classroom and general facility needs.
YWCA Residence Fund: To ensure that low-income women have a safe, affordable place to go in times of need.
To make a gift to the YWCA of White Plains, contact Danielle Cylich, Director of Development at 914-949-6227 ext 147 or via email at dcylich@ywcawpcw.org
Your gift can help change a life!
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