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Mission:

Nationally, The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.  Locally, our vision is to empower and support women in transition.

Activities:

 YWCA Central Orange County assists women who are transitioning from homelessness, foster care, or who are experiencing other life “changes” that are impacting their lives. A variety of activities serve over 1000 women annually.

• First Steps program at Beverly's House, the YWCA COC's flagship program, was established in 2000 to provide 24 month transitional housing and support services for emancipated young women exiting the foster care system.
• My Sister’s Closet provides vouchers for clothing, free of charge to homeless or low-income women who are preparing to enter or re-enter the workforce.
• My Sister Joanie’s Purse project provides a new purse/handbag filled with personal care items for women residing in homeless and domestic violence shelters twice a year.
• Resource and referral information assists women in transition in accessing human service agencies.

Region and populations served:

The YWCA Central Orange County serves low-income and homeless in the Orange County area. They are referred to the YWCA COC from human service agencies, shelters and transitional housing programs. These women may have little to no personal or financial resources but are committed to furthering their education, acquiring life skills, seeking employment and achieving independent living. Specifically, the young women of Beverly's House are between the ages of 18 and 24 who are emancipated from the foster care system.