YWCA Brochure

Cur rent Prog rams:

Racial Justice

Racism

women

Eliminating

empowering

YWCA

www.ywca-greateraustin.org

Economic Advancement

Generation YW

YWCA Counseling and Referral Center

YWCA Continuing Education Series

YWCA of Greater Austin 2015 South IH 35 Suite 110 Austin, TX 78741 info@ywcaaustin.org 512•326•1222 Voice 512•326•1395 Fax

E

stablished in 1885, the Young Women’s

We met opposition when we allowed the

Christian Association began providing

Austin Draft Information Center to use

social opportunities for the women of

our facilities, which led to the YWCA

academia. As the 1920s roared into America,

losing our tax exempt status for a short

the YWCA of Greater Austin established

time. But we understood the importance

and ran an employment bureau for the

of our mission and did not allow it to

women of the University of Texas. Not only

become compromised, we continued

were these ladies committed to helping their

to stand our ground in the fight for

colleagues in obtaining employment, but

equality and empowerment.

they also ventured out into the community

Throughout the 1970s we established

collaborating with the National YWCA to

and nurtured, Co-operative daycare

establish Austin’s International Institute.

facilities, Austin Community Gardens, Gay

This partnership encouraged a better

Community Services, Jail Arts and Education

understanding between native and foreign-

Program, WomenSpace, Communiversity—

born people as well as assisting immigrants

which provided free classes.

transition into American life. By the 1930s

In 1982 the YWCA continued to expand

& 40s, we partnered with the University

with the creation of:

of Texas YMCA and enjoyed a close working relationship for over 40 years.

During the turbulent 50s & 60s, we became allies in the demand for

• YWCA Women of the Year Award Soirée • Austin Women’s Addiction Resources & Education

equality. Staging sit ins at the lunch

• AWARE

counter of the Renfrom Drug Store,

• OutYouth

our activism continued, and grew to encompass the Vietnam war.

• YWCA Student Association

Today, we are still working to carry out our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women with our current programs: • YW Counseling & Referral Center • Generation YW • Continuing Education Series • TransNationals • ¡Vamos a Jugar!/Let’s Play!

• Hand In Hand, and more Our commitment to sisterhood and healthy communities is apparent in everything that we do. From 1885 to 2014, and beyond, our dedication has, will, and continues to thrive.