YWCA National Capital Area

Eliminating racism and empowering women through job-training programs such as Washington Area Women in the Trades that help low-income women earn higher wages and break the poverty cycle.

How do you help people in my community?

Countless area residents benefit from the programs and events we sponsor alone or with our community partners, including annual events such as the Adopt-a-Family program and the Fannie Mae Homeless Walk-a-thon.

At our Gallery Place Fitness and Aquatics Center, we offer specialized classes at every fitness level – from toddlers learning to swim to seniors soothing sore joints.   We also offer Camp YWCA for more than 150 youth every summer at this facility.

Why do you need my support?

Every gift, large or small, is vital to our organization since we rely on the support of our members, donors and community sponsors. Your gift ensures that we continue to offer valuable programs such as the Washington Area Women in the Trades (WAWIT) program to our community. We see the WAWIT program as one of ‘women helping women’ to eliminate racism and empower women, our mission.

The WAWIT program provides low-income women, free of charge, access to a job training program in occupations that pay self-sufficiency wages, 18 months of case management services to ensure that she retains her job and makes the necessary changes in her lifestyle to finally get out of poverty.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

Historically donors such as yourself have entrusted the YWCA National Capital Area with support for over 100 years. As an organization dedicated to serving women and their families, we understand the necessity to proactively seek program funding in a highly competitive non-profit environment while at the same time limiting our fundraising and administrative costs to a range of 10.35% to 15.68%. We maintain strict controls over our expenditures in order to provide the maximum amount of direct services for those who need it most. We’re also held fiscally accountable by Foundations, Corporations and local government entities who, in turn are also accountable for meeting community service objectives to their management.

Rest assured that your donation will reach women in the Washington Metropolitan Area who will benefit from your kindness and generosity.

Can I Volunteer? How?

The YWCA NCA has many volunteer opportunities available such as Math and Language Arts Tutor for women in our WAWIT program.  Please contact ywca@ywcanca.org to find out how you can get involved.