120 Years Young YWCA Annual Report

From the Board Chair and CEOIn 1894, a group of women concerned for the safety of young girls in the rough and tumble city opened the YWCA’s first location above a Pioneer Square store room, offering dime lunches and a place for rest.

For 120 years, our YWCA has worked to increase women’s economic empowerment and safety. Our tenure in this community gives us a long lens, through which we look not only at our own history but our country’s as well. When the YWCA’s flagship location opened in 1914, its vocational school enrolled only white women. This policy was consistent with the laws of the day and prevailing attitudes.

In doing the essential human services work we’ve come to be known for, the YWCA supported 49,237 people last year. Sixty-five percent were women and families of color.

Today, racism is socially unacceptable and some people even consider it to be a thing of the past—non-existent. But racism persists invisibly in the institutions and policies that make up our society. It shows up in statistics that strikingly reveal the disproportionate distribution of wealth and resources even in our progressive northwest communities.

For example: in Seattle public schools, one in 10 African American school children is homeless. In direct contrast, that same statistic for white children is one in 71.

Nationally-acclaimed civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson said: “The opposite of poverty is not wealth. The opposite of poverty is justice.” Poverty is more complicated than lack of money. It’s lack of access to education, opportunities, basic nutrition and healthcare. Which is why, in 2009, our YWCA began using a new tagline: eliminating racism, empowering women. These two phrases honor both the YWCA’s history and the socially just future toward which we are striving.

Thank you for being with us on the journey.

Sue SherbrookeYWCA CEO

Ellen Dial2013–14 YWCA Board Chair

“

All people should be paid equally for equal work and no job should be devalued because it’s considered ‘women’s work.’ Eliminating the gender pay gap and sector discrimination will give families greater economic security, increase opportunities for children, and create a more prosperous economy.”

— Patricia Hayden, Co-chair of Seattle’s Gender Equity in Pay Task Force and YWCA Senior Director of Specialized and Integrated Services

Public PolicyThe YWCA Board of Directors and staff work together in advocating for public policy and budget matters that:

• Dedicate revenue to support a robust human services network throughout Washington state.

• Break down institutional and systemic barriers that prevent women and families from thriving.

“ Everything started well. But toward the end, it went from bad to worse. I knew the red flags: a little push here, a little slap there. I told myself, ‘I am not going down this road again. I’m better than that. I’m stronger than that.’ I began saving money I earned cleaning houses. I buried it in a hole next to my car. It happened one night last April. I looked at him and I just knew he was going to beat me up. Dinner was cooking on the stove. I said, ‘Honey, I’m going to the store. I’ll be right back.’ I got into my car and opened the door. He was watching me through the front window but he couldn’t see me as I leaned out and dug up the money with my bare hands. I pulled away from that house and drove all night, until I made it to Seattle, without a clue what I was going to do next.”

— Deborrah, Seattle Luncheon Speaker

Success Story

Who We Served: 49,237 people

1,212 children and youth, and their parents, developed new tools needed for success in life, including academic skills.

1,606  women received support and advocacy to rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic violence.

2,388 women and men received training and support to find livable and sustainable jobs.

11,022 people had a safe place to live.

Vision area highlights

Who made it possible

Thank you

•15,632in South King County

•25,492in Seattle •4,004

in East King County

• 4,109 in Snohomish County

28% children

72% women and girls

65% low-income women #and children of color

97% low income

Success in Life

Live in Dignity

Economic Empowerment

Safe, Stable Housing

5%12%

17%

66%

25% Private Gifts

28% Fees

20%

8%

47% Government Grants

Voucher Paid

Client Paid

Your dollars at work:$31,648,488These 2013 expenses represent one-time and ongoing service delivery to 49,237 people. They are broken out according to the YWCA’s four vision areas and include 11.3% for support services.

Funding sources:$31,688,893Each year, the YWCA uses a combination of gifts from private donors and client-paid fees in order to leverage government grants. Every dollar is essential.

The above results reflect the YWCA’s consolidated program operations. Depreciation, endowment gifts, and revenue and expenses for major capital projects are not included. Please visit ywcaworks.org to review complete copies of the YWCA’s most recent unqualified financial statement audit and IRS Form 990.

2013 Money and Mission

Snapshots of our community