How to Join the YWCA

The Young Women's Christian Association, or YWCA, works through largely autonomous local centers to empower girls and women and to eradicate racism. The YWCA is non-profit and depends upon membership, donations, grants and volunteerism. Every YWCA is part of the national YWCA, and a worldwide movement of national associations is coordinated by the World YWCA. The YWCA and YMCA are separate, but local centers work together in some areas.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Learn About the YWCA

1. Know the philosophy of the YWCA. Check out the YWCA USA website to learn about the organization's mission, history and program activities (see Resources below).
2. Read information on the YWCA World website to learn what's happening in the women's empowerment movement all over the world (see Resources below).
3. Know that the one of primary goals of the YWCA is to educate and inform the world about eradicating racism.
4. Know that empowering women is one of the YWCA's most important missions as well and ally yourself with programs that serve this purpose.

Join Your YWCA

5. Locate the local YWCAs nearest you with the "Find Local YWCAs Webpage" (see Resources below). Click on the links there to see if your location has a website of its own, what programs it offers, committees available and opportunities for participation.
6. Call one or two YWCAs in your area and ask if there is an open house or best time to visit and learn about programs. Pay a visit to to check out the offerings first-hand. Speak with staff and members.
7. Membership dues vary widely, but are generally a little pricier if they include access to fitness equipment.
8. Participate in YWCA activities at the local level to work for the association's primary goals of empowering women and ending racism.

Tips & Warnings

• The extent to which local YWCAs still connect with original Christian purposes varies widely. If you are looking for an organization with a strong Christian compass, check to see whether your local YWCA meets that need.
• Keep records of your donations, membership fees, volunteer activities and related transactions and correspondence so you don't have to play catch-up at tax time.