Our Mission
YWCA Boulder County is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
As an inclusive, secular nonprofit organization, we are publicly funded, not affiliated with any religious group, and welcome people of all backgrounds and genders to participate in our important work. We provide a variety of vital services such as high-quality, affordable and flexible child care, and racial justice and equity programs including youth empowerment, youth and adult anti-racism education, and advocacy. YWCA Boulder County is a federated organization with sister YWCAs across the United States and the world.
History
Land Acknowledgement – Toward a Right Relationship with Native Peoples
For 100 years, YWCA Boulder County has worked to eliminate racism and empower women in Boulder County and helped women and children of all ages and backgrounds thrive. We provide services such as high-quality, affordable and flexible child care; parent and caregiver education classes; and racial justice and equity programs including youth empowerment, youth and adult education, and advocacy.
Visit our History of YWCA Boulder County page for more details on our 100 years of service to our community.
YWCA USA
YWCA has been at the forefront of the most critical social movements for more than 160 years — from women’s empowerment and civil rights, to affordable housing and pay equity, to violence prevention and health care.
- Originally founded as a Christian organization, YWCA USA has evolved into the non-religious social justice organization it is today.
- 212 YWCA associations in 48 states across the U.S. serve more than 2 million women, girls, and people of color each year.
- Key dates in YWCA USA history:
- 1858 – The first association in the U.S., Ladies Christian Association, formed in New York City
- 1946 – Interracial Charter adopted, starting the process of desegregation
- 1960s – Membership and leadership positions opened to non-Christians
- 1963 – Direct Action Program begun to ensure full desegregation in community YWCAs
- 1970 – The One Imperative (“To thrust our collective power towards the elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary.”) adopted
- 2015 – Corporate name changed from “Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, Inc.” to “YWCA USA, Inc.”
World YWCA
The World YWCA is a grassroots-driven, global movement rooted in the leadership of women, young women, and girls, working in more than 100 countries around the world.