WHAT WE DO

To empower women and eliminate racism, we must meet our clients where they are most vulnerable and provide the compassion and services that place them on a path to self-sufficiency and prosperity.

We are fierce advocates for Survivors of domestic and sexual violence, seniors living on low fixed incomes and incarcerated moms and their kids. We fight for policies that protect survivors and advocate for racial equity from the local to the state level.

We educate people in positions of power (landlords, business owners, elected officials, government officials, allied social service agencies, and others) as well as members of the interested public about the challenges faced by the most vulnerable members of our community.

We provide responsive services that meet the evolving needs of our community.

Mother and daughter painting, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

YWCA’s approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based.

Our vision is that all women and their families can achieve their full potential in a world without discrimination.

YWCA Programs

meeting the needs of our community

Family Preservation Project (FPP)

YWCA’s FPP strengthens families and communities by assisting incarcerated women as they become rooted in their identities as mothers, promoting the rights of children of incarcerated parents, and providing trauma-informed services designed specifically for each parent’s unique needs. We provides direct service inside Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) in Wilsonville, OR.

  • Intensive Family Reunification, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Intensive Family Reunification

    YWCA believes in the healing power of the mother-child bond. This program provides therapeutic visitations with children, parenting support and education, intensive transition planning, caregiver support, and biopsychosocial assessments and interventions.

  • Family Resource Center, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Family Resource Center

    This program provides mothers who are incarcerated with psycho-education and support groups, juvenile and family law support, civil legal support, and addresses barriers to contact with children, families, and professional services.

  • Re-entry Program, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Re-entry Program

    Our Peer Advocates meet women at release from prison with warmth and assistance. This program provides re-entry necessities, including hygiene supplies, clothing, and a backpack or tote as well as emotional support.

  • Youth Advisory Council, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Youth Advisory Council

    Passionate kids of incarcerated parents, this advocacy group passed the Bill of Rights for the Children of Incarcerated Parents in Oregon’s state legislature (2017) and continues to support its implementation.

Senior Services

YWCA’s Senior Services Program offers a wide range of information and support to seniors, with an emphasis on people of color over the age of 60 living on low fixed incomes in East Multnomah County. We support seniors so they can maintain healthy and independent lives in the safety and comfort of their own homes.

  • Care Management, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Care Management

    YWCA Case Managers advocate for their clients and facilitate access to services.

  • Information and Referrals, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Information and Referrals

    We help seniors navigate complicated systems and refer them to the best resources.

  • Respite and Support for Caregivers, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Respite and Support for Caregivers

    Support for caregivers of seniors in our community.

  • Activities and Support Groups, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Activities and Support Groups

    With classes like ceramics and caligraphy, we offer group activities for seniors in our community.

Survivor Services

Using trauma-informed and housing-first care models, we work to increase Survivors’ safety, economic security, and housing stability during and immediately following emergency crisis situations. We offer high-touch, personalized short-term and long-term supports.

  • Navigation + Referrals, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Navigation + Referrals

    First point of contact for Survivors and referrals to navigate complicated systems to achieve safety, services, and housing.

  • Communities of Restoration and Healing, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Communities of Restoration and Healing

    CoRH homes provide Survivors with safe housing for them and their kids.

  • Therapeutic Services, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Therapeutic Services

    Our therapists provide Survivors and their families with individual, group, and/or child and family, free or low-cost therapy.

  • In-Reach, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    In-Reach

    Working in day shelters and encampments, our In-Reach connects Survivors who are currently houseless with permanent housing.

Social Justice

Covering topics from sexism and domestic violence, racism, poverty, inclusivity, sex and gender, and more, our social justice workshops promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

  • Public Workshops, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Public Workshops

    We are the largest provider of social justice education and training services in Oregon!

  • Private Workshops, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Private Workshops

    In person or via Zoom, YWCA curates a wide range of social justice workshops to bring your organization the training it needs.

  • Domestic Violence Advocacy Certification, Social Justice Initiatives, YWCA,  Portland

    Domestic Violence Advocacy Certification

    YWCA offers the 40-hour training necessary to become a Domestic Violence Advocate. This training addresses the intersection of violence and systems of oppression and is provided through a Survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens.

  • Anti-Racism Practice Certification

    Through our 2 week Anti-Racism Practice Certification, we encourage learners at all levels of their social justice journey to join us in deepening understanding to better show up for our community and create a more inclusive society together.

Fiscal Sponsorships

YWCA sponsor emerging community-driven organizations working at the grassroots level. We are proud to support mission-aligned projects, providing financial management along with capacity building support to help them thrive.