About YWCA
YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world.
We have actively worked to eliminate racism and empower women since 1858. We were there through suffrage. We held the first interracial conference in the South in the early 20th century. And we fought for civil rights and affirmative action.
Across the globe, we have more than 25 million members in 106 countries, including 2.6 million members and participants in 300 local associations in the United States.
More important than the numbers, is our mission to eliminate racism and empower women. We provide safe places for women and girls, build strong women leaders, and advocate for women’s rights and civil rights in Congress.
Women come to YWCAs in times of crisis, as survivors of rape or domestic violence. They come for job training and career counseling. They come for childcare. They come for health and fitness. They come for a variety of reasons. But they come. And they leave with a renewed spirit, new skills, and stronger lives.
YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s (E/NS) roots stretch back to the 1930s. We started as a place that provided safe housing and support for young women coming to the city to work. Our programs and services have continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve.
We are a nonprofit organization that works to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice and strengthen local communities. YWCA E/NS serves more than 8,000 people annually in northern Cook County through our Domestic Violence, Equity Institute, Economic Advancement, and Flying Fish Aquatics programs.
Learn more about our local history here.
Read our FY2022 Annual Impact Report below: