YWCA's Advocacy Priorities
Working Toward A More Equitable Community
YWCA is a nonpartisan organization that believes in supporting policies that promote the well-being of women and girls of color.
Advocacy Priorities
YWCA Central Carolinas’ racial justice and advocacy work addresses the intersectional nature of our mission – eliminating racism and empowering women. We focus primarily on issues that affect BIPOC* women in our country and local community, charging our YW community to become educated and advocate for policies that work to uplift women of color. Our work is guided by the following advocacy priorities:
- Educational Access & Equity: Access to quality educational opportunities can play a crucial role in shaping successful adult outcomes. Factors that affect access to these educational opportunities include socio-economic status and race. YWCA supports equitable educational opportunities across the Charlotte region.
- Health & Wellbeing: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected BIPOC communities in America. Additionally, Black maternal health outcomes are consistently worse than they are for their white counterparts. Physical and mental health serve as areas of extreme importance for the general well-being of individuals, especially those of color. YWCA supports policies and programs that improve health and well-being.
- Affordable Housing: As one of the nation’s fastest growing cities, Charlotte is seeing home prices increase and affordable rental options disappear, leaving individuals and families without options for safe, affordable housing. The displacement of community members in historic neighborhoods such as the Historic West End due to gentrification has also become an ever-present issue, pushing communities of color out of neighborhoods. YWCA supports the creation of new affordable housing as well as opportunities to maintain naturally occurring affordable housing.
- Economic Advancement: Upward economic mobility for families in poverty is more difficult in Charlotte than most of the country’s largest cities. Low economic mobility disproportionately affects communities of color. YWCA offers programming and advocates for policies that create opportunities for economic advancement.
What You Can Do
YWCA’s public policy work is strengthened with your support. Use your voice by:
- Attending a City Council or County Commissioner meeting.
- Writing your legislator about issues that matter to you and the community.
- Find your legislators here.
- Use this sample letter template to write to your legislator.
- Volunteering with a political party.
- Track a bill to see if it has been passed.
