For over 135 years, YWCA St. Joseph has been St. Joseph’s area leading advocate for women, children, and families. Our commitment to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all drives everything we do.
Our Programs ↘
YWCA St. Joseph provides direct services, empowerment programming, and advocacy to support marginalized individuals and families, especially women and girls of color, while working to challenge structural barriers to equity.
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Survivor Services
When safety matters most, we're here 24/7. We provide comprehensive services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence that enhance safety, increase knowledge of community resources, and improve well-being. Services include emergency shelter, case management, licensed therapy, children’s programming, life skills classes, and housing assistance. Whether you need immediate help or ongoing assistance, our trained advocates are ready to support you.
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Youth Services
Our youth programming provides a safe and nurturing environment for middle and high school age individuals to explore their interests, develop new skills, and create a network of support and resources.
The program addresses critical subjects such as teen dating violence prevention, navigating personal and professional boundaries, how to handle failure, and youth lead community initiatives.
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Community Outreach
Together, we can create lasting change. Our community plays a vital role in our mission not only by donating or volunteering but also by joining us in advocacy and community education. YWCA St. Joseph spearheads community outreach efforts, actively participating in resource fairs, delivering engaging presentations, and facilitating educational workshops to raise awareness about critical community issues. Our initiatives prioritize educating the public on domestic and sexual violence, addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable youth, and advocating for the essential principles of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Through these impactful endeavors, the YWCA remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a more informed and supportive community.
Reach Out ↘
We can all play a part in supporting survivors and preventing violence in the St. Joseph community. Join us and become part of the change.
YWCA St. Joseph is committed to inclusivity in all our programs, actively welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds who are eager to make a difference, fulfill service hours, or gain invaluable job experience. Each year, the YWCA carries out its critical mission, utilizing the talents and expertise of hundreds of volunteers. We recognize and celebrate each participant's distinct skills and interests, providing a broad range of roles that align with their passions and goals. This dedication ensures that every individual feels valued, welcomed, and integral to our YWCA family.
To start volunteering, fill out the volunteer application form by clicking the button below.
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I Need Help
YWCA St. Joseph provides free and confidential services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking in Buchanan, Andrew, and DeKalb counties.
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I Want To Help
Whether volunteering your talents, attending our events, or making a financial contribution, your advocacy plays an important role in our work to create new beginnings for survivors.
Creating Positive Change in the greater St. Joseph area ↘
Every day, we witness the strength and resilience of the individuals and families we serve. From providing safe shelter to survivors of domestic violence to offering outreach events that punctuate our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, YWCA St. Joseph creates ripples of positive change throughout our community.
16,245
nights of shelter provided to women and their children last year
37,699
nights of supportive housing last year
1,507
hotline calls answered by Shelter Staff
137
years serving the St. Joseph community
