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DOWNLOAD ANNUAL REPORT

We’re

Fierce Focused Foundational YWCA Kalamazoo

01

Improving the Lives of Children

02

Promoting Maternal & Child Health

03

Caring for Survivors of Abuse

04

Advocacy & Systems Change

Eliminating Racism.
Empowering Women.

YWCA Kalamazoo has never waited patiently for change.

We are a public health organization focused on social justice and providing services for vulnerable communities in Kalamazoo.

We operate at the intersection of racial and gender equity, creating new partnerships, programs, funds, and impact to directly and immediately accomplish change.

We leverage the power of partnership.

YWCA Kalamazoo uses its foundational position in the community to be a coalition catalyst. By bringing together the populations we serve, like-minded organizations, academic experts, government entities, elected officials, and funders, we are able to achieve remarkable, sustainable solutions through advocacy and systems change.

We fiercely and comprehensively support equitable opportunity for mothers and children.

Our approach is innovative and holistic. Beginning with prenatal care, healthy births, and reducing infant mortality, we give mothers, birthing parents, and babies the start they deserve. We support them in our affordable, trauma-informed childcare centers, while also training community members to be effective childcare providers. And we create safe spaces for women and children free from violence, coupled with comprehensive services such as therapy, legal service, and opportunities for economic advancement.

Founded in 1885. Built for today's Kalamazoo.

YWCAs across the country share a mission: Eliminating Racism. Empowering Women. In Kalamazoo, we pursue that mission by addressing the social determinants of health. We understand that racism is a public health crisis.

When the need grows, we grow. When policy isn't inclusive, we transform it. When the community is at risk, we step in with new support. When racism rears its head, we are champions for an anti-racist community.

Join us in our fierce, focused fight to expand the foundations of racial and gender equity in Kalamazoo.

Handprints

2021 Accomplishments

This year, Kalamazoo purchased three homes to close a gap in transitional housing for needy families.

We prioritized eliminating financial and transportation barriers to increase access to abortion services, doula care, and gender affirming care, as well as on-site access to emergency contraception kits through the launch of the Reproductive Health Fund

The Dreamery expanded to a second site in the Edison neighborhood in an effort to provide around-the-clock quality care for parents working first, second and third shifts.

Improving the Lives of Children

Every child deserves an
equitable start in life.

In some of Kalamazoo’s neighborhoods, 9 out of 10 children are not in a high-quality early learning program. This impacts their caregiver’s ability to find steady employment and pursue education, and it creates a barrier to an equitable start to their educational career.

YWCA is on a mission to innovate and model best practices at the intersection of education and equity through the development of an effective workforce, and creating access to culturally relevant early childhood education programs.

children were provided high-quality, early learning childcare

percent were children of color

children were provided with subsidized tuition

It has been an honor to be a part of Improving the Lives of Children for the last two years. The YWCA Kalamazoo is strategic in the way it utilizes Early Learning and Childcare are used as a vehicle, to move mission of the YWCA forward in the movement to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women.”
Tricia Ryan

TRICIA RYAN
Senior Director of Improving
the Lives of Children

Promoting Maternal & Child Health

Every baby deserves to thrive.

The impact of systemic racism is increased infant mortality for black babies. In Kalamazoo County, from 2016-2018, Black infants died at 2.8 times the rate of their white neighbors. Infant mortality affects all of us because we are all a part of this community.

YWCA’s goal is for every birthing parent to have a healthy pregnancy and for every child to reach their first birthday with key developmental milestones met. Our Maternal and Child Health programs promote healthy pregnancies, positive birth outcomes, and overall well-being of infants and mothers in Kalamazoo.

clients served

first-time mothers

participants

“We have an opportunity to show up for every Black baby, every single time—in a way we haven’t before. The way YWCA Kalamazoo is working to address the racial disparities in infant mortality is a huge factor in why I have joined this team!”

MEAGAN DUNN
Vice President of Programs

Caring for Survivors of Abuse

We create paths to live without violence.

YWCA Kalamazoo provides comprehensive, free services to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. Our services extend from emergency response during a crisis through long-term housing. We provide therapy and advocacy, access to a full legal team, support groups, and the assurance of safety.

clients supported for intimate partner violence

clients supported after sexual assault

clients supported to protect from labor and sex trafficking

“Being a Senior Director in Victim Services means that I get to support an entire team of incredibly talented and passionate individuals who give their all to the clients we serve every single day. Through my work with them, I like to think I still have an impact on survivors’ lives by helping to create and improve client-centered programming, policy, and system change.”
Michelle

MICHELLE BUTKIEWICZ
Senior Director
of Victim Services

Advocacy & Systems Change

Addressing the systems that cause injustice.

In addition to our direct services work, and despite the pandemic, YWCA Kalamazoo continued to work tirelessly to educate the public and influence policymakers on local, state, and national levels

We advance racial and gender equity by ensuring that the voices of underrepresented communities are heard. Every day we mobilize our communities, transforming their voices into policy, practice, and procedures. We shift systems, we shift institutions.

engagements with elected officials

people participating in community education events

people in training and technical assistance

“Serving as the Senior Director of Social Justice and Advocacy is a lifestyle. Every day it becomes more clear how this ideology has to be embedded in our day-to-day—even outside of work. That is how we will reach true justice.”

DEMETRIAS WOLVERTON
Senior Director of Social Justice and Advocacy

Investing in the Mission

Total Revenue

  • PROGRAM INCOME 3% 3%
  • FEDERAL AND OTHER GOVERNMENT GRANTS 12% 12%
  • CONTRIBUTIONS 75% 75%

Total Expenses

%

caring for victims of abuse

%

improving the lives of children

How You Can Help

Donate

Your donation helps us continue to be community allies in Kalamazoo.

Donate

Your donation helps us continue to be community allies in Kalamazoo by providing services and programs for women and their families in Kalamazoo County. Consider giving to any of our strategic focus services, theReproductive Health Fund, In-Kind donations, or a Legacy Gift.

Volunteer

Your time, talents and energy are valuable gifts, and support the women, children, and families in our community.

Volunteer

Your time, talents and energy are valuable gifts, and support the women, children, and families in our community. Learn more and submit an application to see how you can help YWCA support the Kalamazoo community.

Share Your Story

YWCA offers great support for survivors of abuse.

Share Your Story

YWCA offers great support for survivors of abuse.

Become a Member

Membership in the YWCA reflects your belief in the value of supporting a local organization that has represented women’s interests since 1885 in the Kalamazoo community.

Become a Member

Membership in the YWCA reflects your belief in the value of supporting a local organization that has represented women’s interests since 1885in the Kalamazoo community. It is also a cost-effective way to support vital services to children and families throughout the community.

Become an Intern

Interns get direct experience in crisis intervention, empathy, advocacy and service programs.

Become an Intern

Interns get direct experience working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, while gaining competencies in crisis intervention, empathy, advocacy and service programs.

Become a Team Member

YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Become a Team Member

YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all through racial and gender equity services and programming that serve the Kalamazoo community. Be a part of our team.

Stay Involved—Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter

Get alerted about volunteer and leadership opportunities within our community. Be the first to know about fundraising events.

Red Circle

Special Thanks

Donors

We are so very proud you join us in this work. You helped us change lives by providing financial support that allowed us to be the leader in providing for marginalized populations. Our appreciation is boundless!

Sponsors

Your continued support through the challenges of the pandemic ensured no loss of direct services to our clients and their families. Words are not enough to express this gratitude!

Volunteers

While we were limited in how we could engage with this dedicated group in 2021, their commitments were redirected to stand in the gap and be available when the times were appropriate. We were stronger together!

Committee Members

The virtual spaces created by the pandemic allowed this enthusiastic group to remain connected and involved in our work. We are forever grateful!

Download the PDF to Read the Full Annual Report

Learn About Our Programs

The Dreamery

INNOVATIVE HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE & EARLY EDUCATION CENTERS

YWCA’s two childcare centers –The Dreamery at Downtown and The Dreamery at Edison – provide comprehensive, trauma-informed programs that enable caregivers to work outside of the home, while their children are safe, learning, and having fun.

WISH

SUPPORTING PARENTS WITH HOME VISITATIONS

Our Women and Infant Supportive Health (WISH) home visitation program provides a high-quality, culturally relevant, and evidence-informed pre- and post-natal curriculum – helping individuals be the best parents they can be.

Cradle Kalamazoo

COMMITTING TO INFANT HEALTH

The Cradle collaborative encompasses a solid commitment from community partners, several healthcare institutions, key funding agencies, local academic institutions, multi-denominational faith-based organizations, and both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations: all engaged for the reduction of racial disparities of infant mortality rates in Kalamazoo.

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