YWCA Santa Monica/Westside: Opportunities to Empower Women

Mission: Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA empowers women and girls by creating opportunities for growth and leadership.

Through investing in the community’s women and girls throughout their entire lives, the YWCA works to improve their lives by providing child development, teen leadership, transitional housing, education, girls’ athletics, financial counseling, parenting classes, basic health and fitness awareness, and cancer support. The YWCA has served as a “turning point” in the lives of many at-risk women and young girls.

Free Programs for Women and Girls to Fill a Vital Community Need

Grants, private contributions and special events fund transitional housing and education programs for young women, as well as leadership programs for middle-school girls. Rehabilitation programs, the Libbie Agran Financial Literacy Center, A Place for Parents and an athletic program for ages 7-14 years are also funded by these contributions.

Paid Classes to Enhance the Community

The YWCA offers classes where women and girls pay for lessons in art, drama, gymnastics, dance, exercise, and self-defense. An annual membership is about $45 per year. They also offer scholarships. To enroll in these classes call Linda Garcia at 310.452.3881 or click here to enroll.

Get Involved with YWCA

You can help out at the YWCA Santa Monica/Westside by becoming a member, donating, passing out newsletters or by volunteering.

The smallest donation can help out at the YWCA. As little as $25 can help 30 cancer survivors participate in rehabilitative pool exercise classes. You can donate with cash or check by mailing money to 2019 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405. You can donate online by clicking here.

You can also volunteer at YWCA by coaching girls’ athletics, helping at the front office, or even through fundraising. You can check out their volunteer application online or contact Linda Garcia at 310.452.3881 or lgarcia@smywca.org.