Economic Advancement Program ↘
YWCA Evanston/North Shore is committed economic advancement so that we can make our communities places in which women and girls can thrive. We provide opportunities to become empowered, confident and competent through education, training, and engagement.
What we do ↘
One of the most important things we can do is support women’s economic advancement by providing classes, workshops, and job training like YW Tech Lab and YWCulinary that help women across the life cycle develop the skills they need to build financial security and stability.
Why this is important ↘
Our Economic Advancement Program recognizes the disproportionate impact of poverty on people of color due to systemic racism. Communities of color often bear the brunt of predatory financial products such as payday loans, title loans, and pre-paid debit cards laden with monthly fees and per-use charges. Providing access to information about alternatives is the initial stride in our efforts to address these systemic inequalities.
Participants in our Economic Advancement Program learn about budgeting and credit, receive individual coaching to create and work through a financial plan and gain access to banking institutions who work with us. And we’re there by your side when you need employment and housing assistance too. Because when women are safe, stable and self-sufficient, their families are too. That helps our communities thrive.
Our Economic Advancement Program consists of: ↘
Workforce Development
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YW TECH LAB
YW Tech Lab is a free 4-month web development program which aims to challenge and transform the narrative surrounding underrepresented individuals in the tech industry. This program provides intensive technical training for the foundation for web development with the goal of creating a more inclusive and vibrant tech community where diversity is celebrated.
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YW CULINARY
YW Culinary is a transformative 12-week paid workforce training program designed to ignite passion and unlock potential in Chicagoland's vibrant food service industry. Our program offers paid job training, empowering individuals from traditionally marginalized communities – including women of color, survivors of domestic violence, and low-wage workers.
Financial Wellness
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Savings for Success
Start saving for your child's future through this joint program offered by YWCA and the Evanston Community Foundation.
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Basic Money Management
A free workshop series to help individuals strengthen their money management skills by providing tools and information to help with budgeting, credit and debt issues.
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Financial Empowerment Center
Need help building your finances and don’t know where to start? Drop by the YW Financial Empowerment Center for help with financial questions, financial coaching, resources, and more.
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Financial Coaching
We match participants with individual financial coaches to guide them in developing goals and actions steps for financial stability.
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Special Topic Workshops
We offer topic specific workshops, customized to meet the unique needs of all those in our communities, from teenagers though retirees.
Eryn, Basic Money Management Program Participant