For over 110 years, the YWCA Pasadena has been a pioneering voice in the fight for racial, economic, and gender equality. Established in 1905 to advocate for young women migrating to Pasadena and entering the workforce, the YWCA was soon addressing broader issues, rallying for women’s right to vote and voicing concerns for the working and housing conditions of California’s migrant farm workers. Over the years, the YWCA Pasadena has supported child labor laws, developed a pre-1920 racial integration plan, and started the nation’s first Big Sister program and the area’s first rape crisis hotline in the 1970s.

The mission of the YWCA Pasadena is “Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women.” With this mission, we continually strive to create opportunities to bring our diverse community together.

We are a small organization that runs a tight ship. With the knowledge, compassion, and dedication of our staff, we are uniquely qualified to lead programs that empower girls and young women. It is with the continued support of concerned individuals such as yourself that we are able to provide a consistent, positive presence in the lives of the most vulnerable girls and young women in the Pasadena-Foothill Valley region.

Far too often, we are powerless to affect the kind of change that we wish to see in the world. As individuals, we have a limited amount of influence we can exert on the injustices and inequities that we experience and that we see other experience. As a community, however, we can begin build the resources that can create the world that we wish to see. That is what we are asking of you today.

We are asking you to join us in our Race for Equality and help us reach our goal of $25,000! Your donation goes directly towards funding YWCA empowerment programs for women and girls in the Pasadena area. By making a tax-deductible donation before June 30, 2016, you will be able to support our critical services for Pasadena’s most vulnerable families.

The YWCA Pasadena offers innovative, multi-disciplinary all-girl empowerment programs that allow girls to build a community, explore future educational opportunities and careers, expand their worldview, learn about nutrition and fitness, and create lifelong friendships. For example, in the past year alone:

· 85% of the girls said that they have identified a college they want to attend because of our programs.

· 95% of the girls agree that they now understand budgeting skills due to our life skills workshops. ·

90% of girls feel more confident that they can identify an unhealthy relationship.

· 85% of our girls pledging that they will make healthier decisions about diet and exercise.

YOU HAVE THE POWER to make sure that our programs make an impact!

Investing in girls and women is essential. It is fundamental to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, and allowing women to lead better, equal, and more productive lives. By making a donation to the YWCA Pasadena Foothill Valley, you can help us change the world, one girl at a time.

We greatly appreciate your support. For more details about our programs, please see the information below:

TechGyrls is a highly successful technology education program that helps to bridge the gender digital divide by introducing girls to computers at an early age, building self-esteem and confidence as participants learn new technology, and empowering them to explore careers and fields of study such as computer science and engineering. TechGyrls strengthens girls' interest and competency in technology and engineering by providing critical thinking skills and technology education in a supportive, all-girl environment.

Express Yourself! is an exciting afterschool arts program where participants explore creative storytelling and self-expression through visual, performing, and literary art. Every week, participants create something new and experiment with new art forms. We also expose participants to artwork created by women of color and local Pasadena artists.

Girls Empowerment Summer Camp provides empowerment workshops, community service projects, college tours, cultural excursions, and physical exercise; all while honing academic, technological, and life-management skills. Most of these girls do not have the benefit of participating in a structured summer activity simply due to the exorbitant fees of other private summer camps. They come from low-income households that lack the financial resources to take advantage of the numerous cultural resources in the Pasadena and Los Angeles area.

Adult Computer Classes provide un- and under-employed adults in the community with the skills they need to obtain and retain living wage employment. In a ten-week session, adults learn computer basics including Microsoft applications, internet navigation, online safety and email communication. Skills necessary for success in the job market, such as online job searches and applications, resume building, and interview preparedness are also covered.

iPad Classes for Seniors are designed for individuals who are new to iPads and their functions. During the four week classes, participants learn how to use the iPad's touchscreen capabilities, navigate the device, and basic internet browsing and searching. iPads are provided for in class use, and registration is open to everyone. Not only do seniors learn how to use technology to make their lives easier, but the social isolation many of them may experience is also decreased through use of social media.

Thank you for your generous support of the work of the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley. Together, we make a difference.

PASADENA-FOOTHILL VALLEY YWCA

Eliminating racism. Empowering Women.

Fundraising Campaigns

2020 YWCA Pasadena Summer Fund

2019 Girls Rise Leadership Camp Scholarship Fund

PASADENA-FOOTHILL VALLEY YWCA - California

Race For Equality 2017

Race For Equality

Multiple Teams Campaigns

YouHavethePower