YWCA Columbus

For over 130 years, YWCA Columbus has fought to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. See for yourself how we help women and families in our community thrive. Many thanks to our wonderful video partner, SPACEJUNK, for capturing our mission in action 🧡 #YWCACbus #OnAMission

📚✨ It's back-to-school time! And there's no better time than the Ohio Sales Tax Holiday to make someone's back-to-school 'cool' with brand new clothing items for kids of all ages at our Family Center. Back to school is more than just traditional school supplies. Having new and unused clothing can be just as important for kids starting a new school year. The YWCA Columbus Family Center is always accepting clothing donations for kids of all ages (including teens!) and YOU can play a vital role in starting someone's school year off right. If you're looking for more ways to support the children we serve, check out https://lnkd.in/gcNaKGtE Let's make this school year the best one yet! #BackToSchool #YWCACbus #OnAMission

Activists and Agitators is BACK, and you don't want to miss it! 🎉 We are proud to announce that political analyst, author, and TV and podcast host Tiffany Cross will join us at this year’s event for a conversation on the true history and current realities of American democracy, voter disenfranchisement, and resistance efforts to actualize fair representation. In addition to Tiffany Cross, Activists and Agitators 2024 will feature local artists, panelists, and community organizers. More information coming soon. 💥 Head to https://lnkd.in/grCiscZA to purchase your pass for Thursday, October 3! #ActivistsAndAgitators #Events

"We struggle and we’re going to go through some things, but I’m very passionate about being a mother. I’m very outgoing and loving and very open and caring. My children motivate me. There were times I – I didn’t want to go to the shelter, I didn’t even want to be on this earth, but my children kept me going. I have three boys and three girls. I think this one is a boy, but I want it to be a girl. Either way, they’re gonna be the tie-breaker. I’m due on Oct. 28, and if it’s a girl I’m gonna name her Autumn. I feel like that fits a fall baby. Right now, I’m most looking forward to having this baby – and just being on this new journey. I was born in Columbus, but I’m from Los Angeles. I lived on the Northside before, so I’m still getting used to getting around on this side of town. I got to the Family Center on March 20 and then I got the keys on July 1, but I haven’t actually slept here, yet. My mom is helping me get set up. She’s my support system, and she would’ve taken me in, but I just – I had to do this on my own. I had to do it the right way. And, Elonda at the Family Center was great. She gave me a lot of resources and really advocated for me. She told me what to look for and helped me get what I needed to find this place. My favorite place here is probably the yard. I have to get some stuff out there for the kids, I want a trampoline. I am a home health nurse, but I’m down to one client right now until my baby comes. I’m very family-oriented, so having this stability right now is exactly what I was hoping for." Davonna and her family recently moved out of the YWCA Family Center – just in time for her seventh baby to arrive! Your support directly impacts families like Davonna’s who require emergency shelter and services for families without homes. Visit https://lnkd.in/gn62GVGg in our bio to learn how you can support the essential work YWCA Columbus is doing right now in our community and stay tuned for another story next week. #OurStoriesYourImpact

☀️ We turned up the heat and celebrated in style - with good food, laughter, and music - at the recent Women's Residency Summer BBQ! YWCA Columbus wishes everyone a safe and joyful season 🎆 #YWCACbus #OnAMission #Community

🛒🧡 You're a couple clicks away from making a difference in the lives of residents at the YWCA Family Center and our long-term supportive housing program for women! These are our most urgent needs. By adding even just one of these items to your shopping list you directly impact families and women in our community. Visit https://lnkd.in/gcNaKGtE or go to ywcacolumbus.org/give now! Your generous donations sustain YWCA Columbus' essential work. Your support makes a difference! #YWCACbus #Community #OnAMission #Donate

Make your power known at the polls this year. Be sure to register and confirm your voter registration details so you can prepare to cast your vote this year! Every issue, every decision, every vote counts. 🧡 #GetOutTheVote

"My name is Lucas and I’m 10 years old. I’m going into the 6th grade at Genoa. The thing I’m most looking forward to about next school year is drama club and choir. I did an acting camp earlier this summer, and we put on a comedy play for our parents. It was really fun, and I’ve also done art camps and this one where we played outside. But I’m at Kids Place this week. It’s my first week here this summer. My favorite part is probably seeing my friends and just catching up on our summers. I just made a new friend today. Next week I’m going to Outer Banks with my family, and I’m planning the party. It’s gonna be ocean-themed. I made a playlist, and we’ll have an ice cream bar, and there will be a dance party. It’s with my cousin and, like, my dad’s friends. Also, because the Olympics are this year, we’re gonna do the Olympics where you eat a hot dog and swim down and back in the pool and then chug a pop. It’s parents versus kids, but they don’t stand a chance. We’re more energetic. I’d say I am competitive…and creative. I like coming up with an idea every year for the Guppy Tank Challenge. I always want to participate – and the prizes help motivate you, too! My cousin had a hard time reading, and I did, too, but I gave him some of my graphic novels. And, you know, it’s easier than a chapter book. Everybody has to read something smaller first before you get to chapter books, and comics really helped me, so I wanted to help other kids. I got a prize this year in the challenge, but I was trying to talk my parents into trading my gift card for cash. I want to put it in the bank, so it gets, like, interest and everything in there. My mom works for a bank, and she knows all the secrets, and she tells me. By the way, I wanna give a shoutout to my parents, Miss Rogers, Miss Gina, Miss Joyce, Miss Ward, and all my teachers at Fouse!" Lucas, a 10-year-old entering 6th grade, attended YWCA Kids Place and was a finalist in our Guppy Tank Challenge! Your support today impacts kids like Lucas who spend part of their summer with YWCA Columbus. Visit https://lnkd.in/g8fQRUwg to support YWCA Columbus' essential work and stay tuned for another story next week. #OurStoriesYourImpact #YWCACbus #OnAMission

🧡 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at The Fives Columbus for last week's Alumni Mixer! It is always wonderful to connect with so many dedicated individuals and expand the YWCA Columbus family. We are delighted to welcome these amazing people, including our newest alumni, the 2024 Women of Achievement, Women on the Rise, the 2023 Leadership for Social Change graduates, and our former board members. As we move forward, we're excited about the many projects and events we have planned. Stay tuned for details on what’s coming up next! We look forward to your continued involvement and support as we work together to keep making a positive impact in our community. #YWCACbus #OnAMission

🎉 We recently celebrated YWCA Columbus childcare staff members earning their CDA (Child Development Associate) credentials! With their completion of the course, Safe & Sound's staff is now almost 100% credentialed! These dedicated individuals nurture children's overall development, embodying YWCA Columbus' mission to support the families and children we serve. Congratulations to: ✨ Lenice Aiken ✨ Mariah Cox ✨ Jody McCoy ✨ Eliyah Anthony ✨ Emani Anthony ✨ Camille Moultrie ✨ Lanai Carson-Hines Also, a shoutout to our staff/residents who completed the CDA prep program: 👏 Kyra Drakulich 👏 Stephanie Parish-Wilkes Thank you for your commitment and hard work! #YWCACbus #OnAMission