Punch-a-Thon was a success! Dance-a-Thon is next!
Join YWCA St. Paul for our 2025 What Moves You? Challenge Series!
At YWCA St. Paul, we work arm-in-arm with participants, partners, and community members like you. The What Moves You? Challenge Series is an action-packed lineup of events created to get you moving, celebrate community, and fuel the transformative work happening in our shared neighborhood.
The 2025 series features three vibrant events—
June Punch-a-Thon
July Walk-a-Thon (coinciding with Rondo Days)
November Dance-a-Thon
Together, these events aim to raise $2 million to sustain essential programs in housing, career readiness, youth development, health, wellness, and racial equity—especially as demand rises and government funding decreases.
By joining in, you’re not only taking part in uplifting experiences—you’re also helping raise the resources that make this life-changing work possible. Click the Our Impact tab below to learn more.
WHAT MOVES US?
The hundreds of people who rely on our programs and wrap-around services every day. It’s our privilege to transform lives and help build brighter futures—together.
Ready to make an impact? Click here to donate or give via Venmo (@YWCA-StPaul)!
Thanks to our amazing supporters, we’ve raised
$
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Toward our $2,000,000 goal!
June: Punch-a-Thon
Kick off the summer by boxing with YWCA St. Paul! From individuals gathering pledges, employee teams to corporate-to-corporate challenges, this is bound to be an exciting challenge! The event lasts all month with multiple ways to participate, and ends with a 24-hour Punch-a-Thon finale!
July: Walk-a-Thon
Celebrate community partners at Rondo Days Event , our home neighborhood steeped in history, rich in culture and vital to our community.
November : Dance-a-Thon
Dance until you drop! Join us at YWCA St. Paul for a high energy Dance-a-Thon. From hip-hop to Latin dances, soul line dances, African dance, Bollywood–you name it! Dance for an hour or as long as you want!
What is the Dance-a-Thon?
The Dance-a-Thon is our November challenge to raise funds in support of YWCA St. Paul’s mission-focused programs.
Join us November 1, 5 PM to 10 PM – 375 Selby Ave St. Paul, MN.
Whether you dance your heart out, making a donation, or cheering from the sidelines, the Dance-a-Thon is your chance to fight for racial justice, equity, and opportunity in our community.
Why We Dance
Funds raised will support YWCA St. Paul’s mission-driven work, including:
Safe, stable housing for hundreds of individuals and families
Career readiness for over 400 participants each year
Leadership support for young women of color exiting foster care
Scholarships for 500+ Health & Fitness Center members annually
Financial education, life skills, and wellness support for community members
How You Can Get Involved
Make a donation by clicking here.
Sponsor: Join as an official event sponsor and show your commitment to equity and wellness. Email advancement@ywcastpaul.org or call 651-265-0766.
Volunteer: Help make it happen! We need volunteers! Email volunteers@ywcastpaul.org or call 651-221-4689.
Attend or Tune In: Get tickets here!
#DanceaThonYWCA #DanceWithPurpose #WhatMovesYou
How can I participate as an individual?
All Month Long
Pledge your punches! For every punch you throw, we suggest donating $1 to power YWCA St. Paul’s mission to keep families housed and thriving! Set your own goal or rally a team to punch together.
Throw your punches. Use the standing punch bag located in YWCA St. Paul’s lobby, or punch from anywhere—at home, the gym, or even your office break room!
Record and share! Post a quick video of your punches using #PunchPowerPurpose and #YWCAStPaul. Help us hit our goal and knock-out housing insecurity together!
Tag and nominate! Challenge at least one friend to join the movement!
24-Hour Finale Event
Come hit the bag during the 24-hour Punch-a-Thon finale event! More information coming soon.
Make a donation now or when you arrive for your punch time.
Record and share! Post a quick video of your punches using #PunchPowerPurpose and #YWCAStPaul. Help us hit our goal and knock-out housing insecurity together!
How can I participate with my company?
All Month Long
Want to punch with your colleagues? Call 651-265-0766 or email advancement@ywcastpaul.org and we can bring the punching bag—and a quick punching lesson—to your office!
Record and share! Post a quick video of your punches using #PunchPowerPurpose and #YWCAStPaul. Help us hit our goal and knock-out housing insecurity together!
24-Hour Finale Event
Start by viewing our corporate sponsor options! These cover not just the punch-a-thon, but all three events in our What Moves You? Challenge Series! Click the ‘corporate sponsor’ tab above to view our offerings, and when you’re ready to commit, complete your payment there, too!
If you and your company want to punch during the June 24-25 24-hour Punch-a-Thon finale, check back soon to sign up for the time slot that works best for you.
Record and share! Post a quick video of your punches using #PunchPowerPurpose and #YWCAStPaul. Help us hit our goal and knock-out housing insecurity together!
Motivate, Inspire and Engage!
A sponsorship is more than just a financial contribution; it’s a powerful show of support for the women and families who rely on our services. From housing and job training to health programs and mentorship, your support helps create pathways to success for those who need it most.
Check out a preview of our sponsorship packages below, then reach out to Michelle Heyn either by email at advancement@ywcastpaul.org or by phone at 651-265-0766.
Ready to complete your sponsorship payment? Here’s how:
Option #1: Pay via check mailed to: YWCA St. Paul | Attn: Michelle Heyn | 375 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102
Option #2: Pay online via the form below!
For questions about invoicing, wire transfers and more, call 651-265-0766 or email advancement@ywcastpaul.org
Motivate, Inspire and Engage!
A sponsorship is more than just a financial contribution; it’s a powerful show of support for the women and families who rely on our services. From housing and job training to health programs and mentorship, your support helps create pathways to success for those who need it most.
Check out a preview of our sponsorship packages below, then purchase your sponsorship of choice! For questions, reach out to Michelle Heyn either by email at advancement@ywcastpaul.org or by phone at 651-265-0766.
Ready to complete your sponsorship payment? Here’s how:
Option #1: Pay via check mailed to: YWCA St. Paul | Attn: Michelle Heyn | 375 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102
Option #2: Pay online via the form below!
For questions about invoicing, wire transfers and more, call 651-265-0766 or email advancement@ywcastpaul.org
Housing Stability
Transitional Housing: Provide temporary, supportive living arrangements for up to 36 months to help families and individuals stabilize during times of crisis and prepare to for successful transition into permanent housing in the community.
Permanent Supportive Housing: Offer long-term housing solutions paired with comprehensive support services to ensure stable housing for those with chronic illnesses and long-term disabilities.
Scattered Housing: Facilitate placements within the broader community, enabling participants to integrate into neighborhoods while receiving necessary support. Read more about our housing programs here.
Economic Advancement
Career Pathways: Connect participants with rapid-access training and career opportunities in the growing health and wellness industry. This program is designed to accelerate entry into roles that provide family-sustaining and thriving wages, helping participants achieve economic stability more quickly. Read more here.
Entrepreneurship Training: Equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship, and resources needed to launch and sustain their own businesses, fostering economic independence and promoting economic development opportunities within the broader community.
Youth, Policy & Leadership
Young Women’s Initiative: In partnership with the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and the Governor’s Office, empower young women with leadership skills and advocacy tools to effect change. Read more here.
Neighborhood Leadership Program: Originally launched at Wilder in the mid-1990s and recently acquired from Nexus Community Partners, this program fosters community leadership and engagement, equipping participants to drive local change.
Stride: Focused on helping young people in foster care transition successfully to independent living through individualized action plans, mentorship, resource navigation and specialized training that promotes self-sufficiency and personal growth. Read more about Stride here.
Health & Wellness
Full-Service Health & Fitness Center: Operate a comprehensive facility offering a wide range of health and fitness services that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Read more here.
Culturally Responsive Fitness & Movement Programming: Provide fitness, movement, and exercise classes tailored to be culturally relevant and accessible to our diverse community.
Nutrition and Wellness Programs: Offer educational and practical programming focused on healthy eating, nutritional guidance, and overall wellness—ensuring that cost is never a barrier to accessing essential health services.
Punch-a-Thon: Begins June 5, 2025
📅 Kickoff Event: June 5 | 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM
📍 YWCA St. Paul | Livestream Available Online
What is the Punch-a-Thon?
The Punch-a-Thon is our June challenge to raise funds in support of YWCA St. Paul’s mission-focused programs.
Whether you’re throwing punches, making a donation, or cheering from the sidelines, the Punch-a-Thon is your chance to fight for racial justice, equity, and opportunity in our community.
Why We Punch
Funds raised will support YWCA St. Paul’s mission-driven work, including:
Safe, stable housing for hundreds of individuals and families
Career readiness for over 400 participants each year
Leadership support for young women of color exiting foster care
Scholarships for 500+ Health & Fitness Center members annually
Financial education, life skills, and wellness support for community members
How You Can Get Involved
Make a donation by clicking here.
Sponsor: Join as an official event sponsor and show your commitment to equity and wellness. Email advancement@ywcastpaul.org or call 651-265-0766.
Volunteer: Help make it happen! We need volunteers for our 24-hour finale event on June 24 and 25. Email cbuarque@ywcastpaul.org or call 651-221-4689.
Attend or Tune In: Check back soon for more information!
