YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix

The YWCA's mission is to Eliminate Racism, Empower Women and Promote Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for All.

YWCA is working at the individual and systems levels to create an inclusive community where everyone thrives. We combine programming, resources, and advocacy to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment of women and girls, health and safety of older adults.

We imagine an equitable and inclusive environment where women, people of color, and especially women of color can thrive and succeed. We will get up and do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, until the world sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.

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Here, a senior discovers her own power to advocate for her independence. At YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, we provide more than a meal to our Meals on Wheels clients. We deliver a week's worth of meals, allowing an older adult to age with dignity in place in their own home, but we also provide companionship with our wellness calls, Bundles of Love during the holidays, and engagement activities hosted throughout the year.

Here, a person realizes the systems in place that prevent us from thriving. All year long, YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix hosts listening sessions, workshops, panels, and more to bring light to the barriers in place that keep all of us from thriving. Conversations include topics like implicit bias, domestic violence, voting, access to mental health resources and more. Through our Systems Change Initiative, we are collecting stories and input from West Valley residents to help create suggestions for policy change as it relates to mental health post-pandemic.

Here, a young woman fuels social change through our Leaders for Change program. A dozen young leaders embark on a nine-month program that challenges antiquated models of philanthropy, business, and leadership. At the end of the program, these young leaders have created meaningful connections and have the tools to lead and inspire through a lens of race and gender equity.

Testimonials

"Mother was not eating, expressed no interest in foods or choices in foods for anybody to even fix for her. Mother seemed withdrawn and depressed and several family members tried to intervene to help, but to no avail. No matter what we tried it didn't work. I was becoming frustrated and felt like I was letting my Mother down. I am sure she also felt this tension between us. Now that the meals come every day she is eating, talking about how good the food is, how nice her driver is and we get to enjoy a light dinner together, with no stress related to food. I had no idea it would make this much of a difference."

"I am most grateful for the nice meals - and personal interest shown in me. Being ill and alone is scary. The daily visits are personal and caring."