Dear YWCA St. Paul Friends and Family,
In 2018, YWCA St. Paul served 468 homeless or near homeless adults and children (165 families). 141 youth built a foundation for their futures through our youth programs, and we helped 754 individuals pursue job training to secure employment and family stability. In addition, our Health & Fitness Center counted 3,250 individuals as members. There is a story of struggle, strength and success within each of these numbers, and every day, we see individuals and families break down barriers and achieve their goals.
It’s a privilege to be part of an organization that helps people with some of their most difficult challenges, and to work every day in service of a mission to eliminate racism and empower women—through education, advocacy and programs that help bridge disparities in access and opportunity. The critical importance of this mission is painfully visible in the national news and in local statistics on racial and gender disparities.
I hope you’ll be able to join us on August 23 for a documentary showing and facilitated discussion of past policies that led to some of the racial disparities in housing that our community is facing now. The discussion will be led by Dr. Yohuru Williams, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas. This event is part of our work to explore issues of racial justice, women’s empowerment and cultural understanding; we believe that understanding is a critical building block in our work for equity and opportunity for everyone.
We appreciate your support of our mission and your financial contributions toward our work. Thank you!
Gaye Adams Massey, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA St. Paul