Upcoming Events

YWeTalk Community Conversations

Join the YWCA Central MA in a community conversation series. Everyone’s voice is valued and respected in this space.

This series is an opportunity to listen, share, discuss, and reflect while beginning to lay the groundwork for understanding and collective action. Learn more and register below!

Stand Against Racism

Mark your calendars for our annual Stand Against Racism community breakfast on April 26, 2024. More details to come!

Dr. Crista Johnson-Agbakwu’s efforts to advance healthy equity to vulnerable, under-served, and historically marginalized communities has led to a nationally recognized and innovative best practice model of care. Join us as she sets the stage for a shared learning and leading experience that moves Worcester closer to eliminating racism and empowering women through health equity.

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Advocacy

Domestic Violence Bills

Victims of a Crime Act, also known as VOCA: We encourage our community to act today. Together, we can close the funding gap for victim service organizations across the state of Massachusetts.

Learn more about Victims of Crime Act

LGBTQ+ Worcester Youth

Massachusetts Parenting Act

The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA, H.1713/S.947) will update Massachusetts’ outdated parentage law so that it is clear, equitable, and provides legal protection for all families, including LGBTQ+ families. Learn more

Women Empowerment Bills

ERA: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

Fight and get the Equal Rights Amendment into the Constitution. Take action .

It's Time for Equal Pay for Equal Work! It’s time Congress made a critical course correction for working women and families. Tell your Members of Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act! Take action.

#ReproductiveJustice Abortion Justice Act (AJA): The bill would protect patients, including providers, from criminalization; address systemic barriers to care; ensure abortion care is covered by insurance; and call for necessary federal investments in abortion care, including training, research, outreach, doula care, innovation, and access. Take action.

Child Care

Massachusetts needs access to affordable, high-quality early education and care.

Take action.

Child Tax Credit (CTC).

The CTC supports the basic needs of families with children – from food to utilities to childcare and more; this policy has proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty. Take Action

In Her Words

Resilience is the word that best describes Amber. Amber’s long journey towards housing stability began six years ago. She was in a relationship besieged by substance abuse, she had lost custody of her son, and was homeless. In June 2019, Amber moved into the YWCA Transitional Housing Program. The contrast between 2019 and 2024 is striking. Amber says, “The person I was at the beginning of my residency was hopeless and helpless. The dream of having my apartment again seemed impossible, but today, I am living the reality of my dreams.”

Today, Amber is enrolled at Quinsigamond Community College and is working as a front desk receptionist at the YWCA. She recently moved in to her own apartment which she says is “beautiful” and is preparing to be reunited with her son.

“Throughout my time in THP, I came up against many obstacles, and the THP staff encouraged and inspired me to conquer every challenge and not give up,” she said.

Learn more about the Transitional Housing Program

What's Happening at the YW

YWomenSpeak

We all benefit when women lead the way on local, regional, and national levels. Let’s build a container for self-education and relationship-building that will lead to action and change. We are looking for two cohorts of up to 20 women to join us for a healing journey centered around race.

DV101 Training

YWCA Central Massachusetts is pleased to share that we will be facilitating a new hybrid Domestic Violence 101 workshop series beginning Friday, March 1, 2024, through Friday, March 22, 2024.

The workshop series is specifically designed to help community members and professionals recognize domestic violence, understand the complex impact of domestic violence on individuals, families, and the community. They are also given information and tools to learn how and when to take steps toward intervention.

Racial Equity Trainings

This FREE informative and transformative racial equity training will give participants the necessary tools to create a more inclusive tomorrow.

Sessions available January through April. Reserve your spot now!

Mark Your Calendar

March: Women's History Month

March 12: Equal Pay Day

March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility

Looking Ahead

April: Sexual Assault Awareness

April 11-17: Black Maternal Health

April 24: Denim Day

April 26: Stand Against Racism

ELIMINATING RACISM. EMPOWERING WOMEN.

YWCA CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS | YWCACM.ORG | 508-767-2505

For more than 135 years, the YWCA Central Massachusetts has served as a life-long positive force for women and girls, their families and communities. By leveraging the reach, power and passion of our supporters and community, we have created lasting change.