Mission & Culture

Our Mission

YWCA Is On A Mission

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

YWCA York has been leading change since 1891. We are York County’s premier provider of comprehensive services to those impacted by violence, working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. While our mission is eliminating racism and empowering women, YWCA York also strives to strengthen families. Each year, children throughout York County enjoy our childcare and summer camp programs, which provide outdoor and educational learning for disadvantaged youth.

Our work is more relevant today than ever, but we cannot do this work alone. Your support helps us reach more people in need in York County.

Our Secret Sauce

Defining Our Culture

A key component of a successful organization is a well-defined, unique culture. Ours is the foundation of why YWCA York thrives and the extent to which our staff effectively serve our community. Our culture statements are both real and aspirational – they are the guideposts to deliver on our mission. YWCA York collaboratively identified our current and aspirational culture during our strategic planning sessions. Learn more about our “secret sauce” and why we are CHANGE AGENTS in our community.

Meet People Where They Are

Creating inclusive environments starts with listening to understand. We offer an unbiased ear by being empathetic and accepting of people and their circumstances.

Assume best intent

Choosing to believe the best of others is the foundation of honor. We address challenges and conflict with open, honest, and respectful dialogue.

Utilize Mindfulness

Pausing is a powerful tool. It allows us to promote safety, consider alternative paths, proceed with care, increase focus, build resiliency, and set intentions.

Believe Survivors

We validate our clients, build trust, and provide safe spaces for growth and healing.

Practice trauma-informed care

Our goal is to heal and empower people by giving them choices. We do that by acknowledging pain, giving support, and providing tools.

Celebrate that teamwork is our superpower

We are one YWCA. Each of us has the ability to make a positive impact, but together we are invincible. We are encouraged to take initiative within our spheres of influence and proactively seek out collaboration.

Listen to Understand

Courageous conversations are at the core of what we do. We practice active listening, ask questions, re-frame situations, and gather different perspectives.

Find creative solutions

We are creative problem solvers. We use our strengths, maximize resources, look for efficiencies, and pursue partnerships.

Promote a community of care

A primary focus is to create abundance for the future. Not just financially, but holistic resources that support and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity. We extend privilege to all.

Protect and cultivate a learning environment

Investing in education empowers individuals and influences the next generation. We intentionally develop our expertise and grow our awareness.

Our History

Since its beginning, YWCA York has worked tirelessly to promote racial justice, empower women, and strengthen our community. As we continue to move forward in these efforts, we remain mindful of where we have been and all that we have accomplished in the past.

1891

The YWCA was founded in downtown York on July 10th by a group of 16 women with the support of community and faith leaders.

1951

The current YWCA building opened at 320 E. Market Street. It was built to be a YWCA, and included a child care center, recreation and exercise spaces – including bowling lanes and a swimming pool – and 28 residential rooms for women.

1972

Additional space was added to the YWCA building for health and recreation programs.

1986

The building underwent another expansion, including a larger child care center, a new fitness center, and much-needed meeting and office space. Because of changing times, needs, and funding, the residential rooms were closed at this time.

2001

The YWCA was the first organization in the state of Pennsylvania to receive Elm Street designation and funding for our Community Renaissance project in the Olde Towne East neighborhood.

2004

As part of the Community Renaissance project, the YWCA opened a Community Resource Center on Reinecke Place in partnership with the York City Police Department. The YWCA was the first organization in York County to be awarded PANO’s (Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations) Standards for Excellence distinction.

2007

The YWCA received the City of York Leadership Award.

2008

ACCESS York, an organization dedicated to the elimination of domestic violence, merged with the YWCA.

2009

The Victim Assistance Center (VAC), York’s premier provider of counseling, education, and legal advocacy services to victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes, merged with the YWCA.

2009-2011

Debra M. Stock, YWCA York’s then CEO, served as Chair of the national YWCA USA Board.

2015

YWCA York’s partnership to diversify local enforcement is acknowledged by YWCA USA.

2016

YWCA York celebrated 125 years of serving the York Community.

Our Inclusion Statement

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Our mission has informed and directed the culture and actions of YWCA for 50 years, and we remain committed to providing spaces and services which demand that we live into this mission.

Our support services, our educational, child care and play spaces, our staff and visitors, will be safe from judgment, bias, discrimination, intolerance, exclusion and violence of any kind. We recognize that the work of creating such a space requires constant conversation and accountability and that while we open the door to all people, this ethos of inclusion may be uncomfortable for some.

In order to provide a space that remains safe to ALL, some may feel that they would prefer not to be a part of this community. However, in order to remain true to our purpose and relevancy in this community, we will strive to abide by our mission to seek peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. And perhaps most especially for those who have been continuously marginalized and excluded.

Therefore, we commit to strive for the inclusion and belonging of all people regardless of gender, race, religious affiliation, gender expression and identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, ability, or any unique and beautiful identity that struggles to be seen, heard or included. We endeavor to meet these expectations on a daily basis, and expect that all who participate and are employed in any and all of YWCA’S communities will do the same.

Our Leadership

Meet The Team

We are proud to be an anti-racism, gender-inclusive Association where everyone can be a member, an employee, or serve on our Board of Directors and Junior Board. YWCA York employs mindfulness practices designed to build resiliency in our staff and those we serve.

We are

C. Kim Bracey

Lillie Farmer

Allen Frey

Shawn Jamison

Laurien Smith

Edquina Washington

Paula Copeland