What we do

Eliminating Racism. Empowering Women.

YWCA Central Carolinas is a nonprofit on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Each of our programs works to lift up our community and honor the dignity of all people. 

Most people know we support empowering women and men in their wellness journey with our co-ed fitness center and indoor pool on the first floor of our building. What people don’t know is that on the three floors above the fitness center, we provide safe, affordable, transitional housing for 66 single, unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness in a program called Women In Transition (WIT). Annually, more than 100 women participate in our affordable housing and comprehensive support service program to gain the skills and resources necessary to attain and maintain permanent long-term housing. As part of the program, participants have access to services including: case management; computer instruction; career counseling; financial planning services, educational workshops, access to our fitness center and social activities for up to 18 months.

Behind our building on Park Road, we built 10 townhomes to provide safe, affordable, transitional housing and intensive support services for families facing homelessness with minor children in a program called Families Together (FT). 

As part of the program, families have access to services including: case management; computer instruction; career counseling; financial planning services, educational workshops, access to our fitness center and social activities for up to 18 months.

Our eight Youth Learning Centers are located in the neighborhoods of the students we serve throughout Mecklenburg and Union Counties. Our Coordinators are focused on improving students reading skills and overall academic performance. Hundreds of children from K – 5 grade attend after school during the school year and all day during the summer at no cost to their families.

YWCAs across the country have been at the forefront of many social justice issues. As part of our mission to eliminate racism at YWCA Central Carolinas, we now have a full-time Community Engagement Manager that leads our Racial Justice & Advocacy work that we have been collectively delivering for several years.

Among the many community forums in our Racial Justice & Advocacy programs, we also host an annual Stand Against Racism event. This ongoing work not only needs our voices to be heard but the action to make an impact in our community. Will you be that voice and join us?