Who We Are
The YWCA Elyria is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
We are on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. We provide safe places for women and girls, build strong women leaders, and advocate for women’s rights and civil rights on a local and global level.
Women come to us in times of crisis, as survivors of rape or domestic violence. They come for job training and career counseling. They come for childcare. They come for health and fitness. They come for a variety of reasons. But they come. And they leave with a renewed spirit, new skills, and stronger lives.
The Elyria YWCA was incorporated on February 13, 1913. In the 1930’s, the YWCA was the first organization in Elyria to host multiracial events. Women of different races participated in social events and served on the board together. The YWCA has continued to grow and change with the world, and has led the way on issues of social justice and women’s rights. Today, the Elyria YWCA offers transitional housing for women and children, empowering programming for adolescent girls throughout Lorain County, employment training and coaching for single mothers, and advocacy through our Community Anti-Hate Taskforce.
Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.
YWCA MISSION
This YWCA mission statement was adopted by the General Assembly in 2009. Grounded in our mission, the Elyria YWCA will successfully care for our community by striving to create and execute community-focused programs that will make a significant difference in the lives of women, children, and families. We will offer informed, relevant and ever evolving innovative services to meet the current community needs. The Elyria YWCA will be a voice for those cannot speak for themselves as a coach to encourage self sufficiency; an advocate of change on behalf of racial justice, women’s social, economic, political and self-empowerment; and youth development. We will be a strong and vibrant women’s organization with well established strong partnerships, collaborations, and relationships with key stakeholders resulting in long-term financial sustainability.