Who We Are

YWCA Walla Walla is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

YWCA Walla Walla’s vision for our community:

  • All women and families have a safe and stable place to live.  

  • All community members can live in dignity, free from violence, racism, and discrimination. 

  • All children and youth develop the skills they need to succeed in life. 

  • All adults have the opportunity to be economically self-sufficient.

YWCA is proud to be the oldest and largest women’s movement. Here at YWCA Walla Walla, our signature program is the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Resource Center, which includes a domestic violence shelter, counseling, support groups, advocacy, information and more. We offer two quality, licensed preschool and childcare centers and a number of community and personal enrichment programs.

Our local programs and services have furthered the YWCA vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all since 1917. Over the past century-plus, programs have evolved and have included educational and employment classes for women, teen clubs, community dialogue groups, childcare centers, and adult and youth empowerment programs.

We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth and to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to empower women and families, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

  • Executive Director

    Learn more about the search.

    Learn More

  • Careers

    Join a staff committed to empowering women and eliminating racism.

    Learn More

  • Mission + History

    YWCA Walla Walla has been serving women and their families since 1917.

    Learn More

  • Board of Directors

    The YWCA Board of Directors guide our planning and long-term development.

    Learn More

  • Annual Report

    Learn about the YWCA’s services and financials and how you changed lives last year.

    Learn More

Our Values

Compassion

Respect

Balance

Integrity

Non-Violence

Collaboration

Justice

Dignity

FAQs

If your question isn’t answered here, feel free to reach out to comms@ywcaww.org or officemanager@ywcaww.org.

  • All programs and services require an intake meeting or phone screening with an advocate.

    Call the office, 509-525-2570 between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays or call the crisis line anytime, 509-529-YWCA.

  • Calling ahead to check on our current needs is very helpful, because our storage space is limited. When families move out of the shelter to begin building a new household from scratch. we put out the call for items like furniture and household supplies on social media. Follow our Instagram and Facebook pages for announcements about immediate needs. Clothing in excellent condition, particularly children’s or infant clothing, may be accepted on a case by case basis. When we get more clothing or other donations than we can deal with, we may pass items along to our nonprofit partner SonBridge. The proceeds from their thrift shop fund free medical and dental care, and the center helps YWCA clients with other needs..

  • Because of shared living quarters and privacy concerns, the YWCA domestic violence shelter is limited to women. Other services like the 24/7 Crisis Line, safety planning, legal and medical advocacy, assistance with protection orders, and sexual assault response at the hospital welcome any gender.

  • In 2015 YWCA formally changed our corporate name from the “Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, Inc.” to “YWCA USA, Inc.” Our name change reflects YWCA’s diverse and inclusive nature. In our early years, Christian sisterhood motivated our work. Today, our organization is driven by a commitment to social justice, no matter what someone’s religion. Our updated name provides YWCA with the opportunity to engage a broader spectrum of individuals in our crucial work to eliminate racism and empower women.

  • You have us mixed up with the YMCA, which you can reach at 509-525-8863.

    Though our names are similar, we are two distinct, unrelated nonprofit organizations.

    YWCA Walla Walla’s mission is eliminating racism and empowering women, with a special focus on resources for anyone experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault.

    Walla Walla YMCA's primary focus is on youth development, health, and fitness.

    Both organizations offer community programs including child care.