Strength in Numbers: 2019 YWCA Northeast Kansas Annual Report

Every day, we turn on the lights and open the doors to answer the cry for justice.

 In 2019, we worked to advance justice through direct service programs, policy advocacy, and issue education campaigns. Our power comes from the women and girls we serve, and it comes from passionate people like you who are equally committed to the work of justice. With your help, we accomplished a lot over the past year. These victories have only strengthened our determination to pursue justice for all in 2020.Now more than ever, we have to continue to get up and do the work until injustice is rooted out, until institutions are transformed, until the world sees women, girls, and people of color the way we do: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.YWCA Northeast Kansas remains steadfast in our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all - because there's strength in our numbers.

TODAY

Addressing our Community's Most Critical NeedsAt YWCA Northeast Kansas, we address the urgent issues of today by supporting women, children, and people of color through innovative direct services. We bear witness to the dignity of the 11,040 people we served over the past year, and we celebrate their victories.

"Most people my age don't really care about the organization they are working for, but I get to love mine. Being surrounded by people from all walks of life who genuinely care is a rare treat. I take pride in telling people where I work, knowing I can trust that my organization will always be fighting the good fight. I am proud to play a role in that." - Louise H., Youth Services Assistant

While we have been providing services to victims of human trafficking since 2014, we served 118 individuals in our Center for Safety and Empowerment in 2018, and this number continues to grow.

We are proud to have opened Topeka's first day center for victim-survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. This space allows us to provide a safe space to rest and take a shower, enjoy a warm meal, have access to clean clothes and support from our specialized staff so that we can meet victim-survivors where they're at while being a place of refuge.

For more information, visit The Latest News.

TOMORROW

Igniting the Community for a Better TomorrowSince our founding, YWCA has been at the forefront of the issues that disproportionately affect women, girls, and people of color, from voting rights to healthcare to affordable housing.In 2019, we've been doing our part to make sure women get to the polls, and that our experiences and needs are valued, represented and made a priority to those we elect to public office. That’s why we went before the Shawnee county commission to advocate for weekend voting, and we were able to register over 100 new voters in Shawnee county. But there’s still much work to be done – in Shawnee county alone, there are 1,517 unregistered women of color of voting age. We are thought leaders. We are fearless movers. We are innovative shakers. We move justice out of our doors and into the power structures that determine the future by educating, advocating and activating the greater Topeka community for a better tomorrow. We aim to empower everyone through racial justice facilitation, professional training on domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual harassment.

THE FUTURE

Educating and Empowering the Next GenerationWe take care of children, so their families can build their futures. We keep our commitment to justice for tomorrow's leaders strong, because we know first-hand how much more work we must get up and do.

For more information, visit our Youth Services page.

      How can you lend your strength to our numbers in 2020? Find out more about how you can get involved.