YWCA | Photo by Hannah Carson | The Wright State Guardian
YWCA Dayton organization leaders discuss motivations, goals and progress in racial and social justice initiatives before a new 21-day program.
YWCA services
Founded in Dayton in 1870, YWCA’s mission is eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The oldest and largest women’s organization changed from “Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America” to YWCA in 2015 to reflect its increased diversity and inclusivity.
The core services of YWCA Dayton include emergency shelter and crisis support, counseling services for victims of sexual assault, affordable housing, assistance for women and children of domestic abuse and empowerment education for girls ages 11-18.
Kaitlin Schroeder, the marketing and communications manager of YWCA Dayton, discussed the importance of the organization’s work for the Dayton community, particularly for victims of domestic abuse.
“We understand the ways that violence is a predictable consequence of racism and of disempowered women, and so that’s why we have such a global motto. We advocate that we really spend a lot of time looking at the policy and education that needs to happen to truly be preventative,” Schroeder said.
According to its website, YWCA Dayton is the only domestic violence shelter for women for Montgomery and Preble County and is equipped for 65 residents. The housing includes subsidized rent, common lounge and learning areas, an on-site food pantry and 24-hour security.
The 21-day challenge
Starting on April 6, YWCA Dayton begins its sixth annual 21-day challenge named “Until Justice Just Is.” The goal of this challenge is to build new habits through a 21-day email series. Barbara Ward, the advocacy manager for YWCA Dayton, explained these goals further.
“It’s a theme this year, and the four themes are music, mental health, disability and housing,” Ward said. “You’re going to take five minutes, 10 minutes or 30 minutes, depending on your time, when you open your email though, there’ll be challenges for you to learn more about each of those themes in our racial and social justice efforts.”
After the 21-day challenge, the goal is for email recipients and community members to build more social justice habits. Schroeder thinks this challenge will be beneficial to Wright State students interested in social change.
“I think Wright State, where students are right now, they’ve got ideas, they’ve got plans, they’re thinking about the universe in the world and society. I think that this is a great audience for this project,” Schroeder said.
The end of the 21-day challenge culminates in YWCA Dayton’s largest fundraising event of the year, the Racial Equity and Social Justice Summit on April 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dayton Metro Library.
A feature of this year’s summit is a volunteer-powered project to make Dayton a more socially just community. Anyone interested can pitch an idea to the summit for the chance to win $1500 in seed money. The deadline for applications is March 1.
Sexual assault awareness month
This April marks the twenty-second anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). YWCA Dayton’s website has many resources available, including contact information for support groups and a list of safe bars in the Gem City area.
This April, the YWCA’s crisis center is hosting an art contest. Schroeder discussed the importance of this event.
“We want to invite folks, especially survivors, to submit art for our art show. We think that art is so therapeutic, and we do art therapy and receive grants for various kinds of art therapy,” Schroeder said. YWCA Dayton is located at 141 West Third Street in Dayton. For information on donating or volunteering, visit YWCA’s website.
