YWCA is on a mission and YWCA Cambridge is making it our own!
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.
Our vision is that all women and their families can achieve their full potential in a world without discrimination.
This requires a focus on the future, anticipating the needs of our clients, and creating innovative solutions to the problems they most often face – poverty, unsafe living conditions, lack of reliable and affordable childcare, and under- or unemployment.
We are evolving our services to meet the changing needs of our clients today and in the future.
We remain rooted in rich history, but our approach to serving our clients is holistic, strategic and innovative.
Nationally, YWCA advocacy issues include lobbying for pay equity and hate crimes legislation, increased funding for Head Start and passing the Violence Against Women Act. Locally, through our programs, we are changing lives and restoring hope for women, their families, and our community!
Housing and Shelter ↘
YWCA Cambridge is the city's largest affordable housing provider for single women through its 103-unit Tanner Residence and a 10-unit emergency family shelter. Our staff work with women and families in need of a supportive environment to achieve their individual goals.
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Affordable Housing for Women
YWCA Cambridge offers 103 individual units of single room occupancy (SRO) housing for single women.
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Family Shelter
Our 10-unit emergency family shelter houses and supports families in finding stable housing.
Youth Leadership ↘
YWCA Cambridge offers a wide range of youth programming focused on identity affirmation, leadership development, and social justice. Sessions feature workshops, discussions, and interactive activities that empower youth to become confident advocates and leaders.
Our core youth leadership initiatives include the Girls Only Leadership Development Program (GOLD), the Gender Expansive Youth Program (GEY), and summer specific programming such as Gamechangers and CampOUT. Our educational programs encourage self-discovery, autonomy, social-emotional learning, and supportive relationships.
Girls Only Leadership Development Program (GOLD):
Now in its 14th year, GOLD was created in partnership with Mayor E. Denise Simmons to address the lack of leadership opportunities for middle school girls in Cambridge. The program is rooted in the experiences of girls of color, ensuring their voices are central in shaping both the curriculum and community.
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Girls Only Leadership Development (GOLD)
Join our sessions for girls of color around intersectional feminism, social justice, and activism!
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Gender Expansive Youth (GEY)
For LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming youth - join our sessions around gender and identity!
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Advocacy
Our advocacy centers on the needs of our clients and community.
Racial & Social Justice Advocacy ↘
Advocating for the needs of our clients and community.
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Housing
YWCA Cambridge is the city’s largest residential provider of housing for women and families through our family shelter and single room occupancy rental units. Legislation that directly impacts our residents is core to our mission, and we support legislation that supports people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, who are disproportionately people of color and LGBT folks.
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Health
At YWCA Cambridge, we support legislation and advocacy that increases access and affordability of services as well as that which expands preventative care, harm reduction/prevention programs, and community based emergency responses, especially for folks from marginalized communities who often have strained relationships with the healthcare system. Healthcare is a human right!
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Economic Security
YWCA Cambridge supports legislation and advocacy that increases federal and state financial assistance to those experiencing poverty, strengthens access for low-income families to early learning, increases access to living wages, and supports low income workers’ rights.
Health & Wellness ↘
Check out our health & wellness programs at our Central Square location!