Mission Statement
The mission of YWCA Minneapolis is to eliminate racism, empower women and girls, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Last year has been cause for gratitude and celebration. We are grateful to the many community members and partners who entrusted YWCA Minneapolis with their care and resources as they continued to navigate their own way through the pandemic, and ongoing healing two years after George Floyd’s murder. We also paused to recognize moments of achievement, both big and small.
As a leader in the field of racial equity, we empowered our community on their journey against racism and expanded our reach geographically through virtual offerings. Eager participants, ready to learn, develop and grow together were able to share openly and authentically in these virtual spaces. And we continued to push our legislative agenda to ensure racial and gender equity, including sustainable investments in the child care sector, are embedded in our systems, institutions and programming.
Current Goals
The YWCA Minneapolis focuses on the needs of the urban core: high-quality, culturally responsive afterschool youth development programs and access to nationally accredited early childhood education for families regardless of race, economics or culture. The YWCA lives its 130-year tradition of social justice through innovative programs and advocacy in education, racial justice and wellness. YWCA programs create a positive impact in the lives of children, youth, women, and families in the Twin Cities with a special focus on people of color and people living in low-income households.
1. Girls & Youth programs equip 600+ youth to be learners, leaders and creators of change.
2. Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program provides high-quality, nationally accredited programming to 500+ children, regardless of race, economics or culture and prepares them for success in school and life.
3. ECE Teacher Workforce Development Program trains 60+ adults towards completing a Child Development Associate (CDA) – a foundational post-secondary credential for a career path in early learning.
4. Racial Justice and Public Policy programs empower 8,200+ individuals to take action to eliminate racism and advocate for policy solutions to improve equity and access.
5. Health and Wellness improves the health of our community by providing access to three quality Fitness Centers.
Community or Constituency Served
YWCA Minneapolis works to promote education, equity and health in communities across the Twin Cities Metro area to 10,000 individuals. Last year alone, our programs helped 720+ children receive high-quality, anti-bias education, 5,000+ individuals learn about civic engagement and how to combat racial inequities, 1,250+ girls and youth become creators of change in their community, and 3,200+ fitness members achieve better health and wellness. Together, we’re making a difference.
Geographic Area Served
The YWCA of Minneapolis operates in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area, with a focus on urban Minneapolis. The YWCA owns and operates three buildings in the neighborhoods of Downtown, Uptown, and Midtown. These buildings house three YWCA Fitness Centers and they provide meeting rooms, program space, and office space for YWCA programs and organizational operations. The YWCA Children’s Centers operate in our three Minneapolis locations, as well as in Saint Paul in the neighborhoods of Downtown and Frogtown. Our Girls and Youth Programs operate year-round during out-of-school-time at Minneapolis Public Schools and YWCA locations. The Racial Justice Public Policy team serves audiences across Minnesota.
