YWCA Brooklyn Information

YWCA Brooklyn is a unique, non-sectarian organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. For over 130 years, we have been at the forefront of struggles for social justice and gender equality and continue our work to advance the lives of low-income women and girls in Brooklyn. YWCA Brooklyn offers a safe haven to survivors of domestic violence, opportunity for teens and immigrant women, and a hub for advocacy and community action. We work daily to level the playing field and truly empower women and girls of color. In 1890, we founded the first public nursing school in the country, providing a path for women to fulfilling and economically secure careers in nursing. We trained women to work in non-traditional jobs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War I and provided housing for thousands of immigrant women arriving through Ellis Island in the early 20th Century. 1n 1943, YWCA Brooklyn became the first YWCA in the country to racially integrate its programs, residences and pool. In 1971, recognizing the special challenges faced by low-income women and girls of color, we pioneered one of the nation’s first centers for women in crisis. We went on to launch programs for survivors of domestic violence and to found a child development center. In 1994, YWCA Brooklyn established award-winning women’s health programs. In recent years, we fought against development pressures to save our iconic downtown Brooklyn building for the benefit of the local community. Today the building provides space for more than 300 safe, permanent and affordable homes for low-income women, many who were previously homeless or experienced gender-based violence, a Social Justice Community Center and office and meeting space for Brooklyn non-profit and civic organizations.