YWCA National Capital Area

We transform the lives of women and girls by providing education and job training, health and wellness programs and social justice awareness so they can achieve their goals and provide for themselves and their families.

Why do we exist?

Founded in 1905, the YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  Today the YWCA provides adult literacy, workforce preparation, affordable health and wellness programs, social justice, and child and youth development programs that foster independence, economic stability, and overall well-being. 

What have you accomplished?

The “Positive Transitions” program currently serves over 100 adult students per year, with open enrollment at three locations in Wards 2, 5 and 8 in Washington, DC.  Special emphasis is placed on serving low-income women residing in the city limits, as they are most often at high-risk for poverty and unemployment due to low literacy levels and lack of basic education and marketable job skills. Most of our students are unemployed (88%) when they come through our doors.  The majority of those we serve enter the program with below-eighth grade literacy levels.  As part of the “Positive Transitions” program, our students work to increase their math, reading and writing levels to prepare to take their GED exams and pursue employment or further education and training opportunities.

By providing Adult Basic and Secondary Education, Pre-GED and GED classes, life skills, computer literacy, tutoring and job readiness training, the YWCA empowers students to transform their lives and achieve economic self-sufficiency. 

The goal of the Health and Wellness program is to educate low-income adults and youth about the components of a healthy lifestyle, which include combating obesity and promoting good nutrition.  The YWCA partners with several other organizations to provide exercise classes to hundreds of people each year. These sessions allow free or "pay as you go," allowing women to reach their fitness goals without requiring a costly gym membership fee.

As part of the Social Justice program, "Dream Girls" seeks to make a positive impact in the lives of low-income youth and to address the issues of poverty and low self-esteem among girls in Washington, DC. Often hindered by teenage pregnancy, gang violence and other negative peer pressures, these girls could find themselves unemployed or underemployed and living in impoverished environments.  This program is important to helping these girls avoid this very real fate by successfully completing their high school education and putting them on the path to success.

Other Social Justice programs include workshops and speaker series to raise awareness and encourage a dialogue about issues of racism and domestic violence prevention.

Nancy is a wonderful example of a success story from the “Positive Transitions” program.  Prior to entering the program last year, Nancy fell on hard times for several years, and was very hesitant in building up the courage to prepare for and take the GED. Finally, she decided to visit the YWCA and utilize the office computer lab to help her study for the test. Nancy worked with the “Positive Transitions” staff and visited the computer lab at least twice a week for several hours. During her time with the YWCA, the staff noticed that Nancy is an incredibly diligent woman who truly cares about her education and future goals. With the help of the staff, the newly confident Nancy took it upon herself to register for the GED test. We at the YWCA are happy to announce that in March of 2011, Nancy took and passed the test with flying colors and is now preparing applications to attend college level courses at UDC! We are so very proud of her.

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