In partnership with Boeing, the Seattle Sounders established “Change Champions,” an initiative that highlights local organizations and the impact they have in their communities.
Prior to the July 19 match against the San Jose Earthquakes, the club honored YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish, a direct service, nonprofit organization committed to social justice through helping local women and families in need and improving the health of those living in King and Snohomish Counties.
Dedicated to empowering women, eliminating racism and promoting freedom and dignity for all, YWCA has provided resources and programs that ensure the opportunity for individuals to live a safer, more stable life.
“We provide housing, employment, training and services, health access, gender-based violence prevention and treatment and more,” said CEO of YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish, Maria Chavez-Wilcox.
Each program falls into the pillars of economic advancement, housing stability and health & safety. Last year alone, this YWCA aided more than 9,300 women, men, and children through ongoing services and programs.
YWCA’s economic advancement comes through programs related to job training, financial growth, career development centers, and internship opportunities, to name a few.
Additionally, housing resources are plentiful in this particular region. Given its stature as one of the largest YWCA associations in the country, its network of permanent, temporary and shelter facilities across both King and Snohomish Counties is unparalleled.
“We know that low-income households face some of the greatest barriers to housing stability, and too many people in our community are at risk of homelessness,” said Chavez-Wilcox. “So, we make sure that women and families have access to safe and stable housing. We do not charge anything for our services. The doors are always [open].”
Along with its support in creating adequate living situations for low-income women and families, YWCA protects the health and safety of individuals through its mental health programs and advocacy for survivors of violence.
This couldn’t be accomplished without the nonprofit’s employees that have an extensive knowledge of each of the areas of impact.
“What I would tell you is that how we serve our population, is because we have case workers [that] are experts in their field,” said Chavez-Wilcox. “They are top notch community professionals that know all about health care. They are certified, and they know best how to navigate the systems that our participants need.”
With her own experiences and passion for the work that she does, Chavez-Wilcox is among the many people in the nonprofit that make it as effective as it is today.
“It's a calling. This is personal. It’s where I know I need to be,” said Chavez-Wilcox. “It's who I am, not that I can in any way say that I can feel how our women are feeling. But I have had a similar experience. I've been there in a lot of ways, and I know that if it weren't for people and it weren’t for organizations like YWCA, I may be dead, I’m maybe on the streets, and I would not have had a career devoting my life to helping people. So, for me, it's not what I do, it's who I am at this point in my life.”
To support YWCA’s mission of uplifting the lives of those facing barriers in safety, stability and opportunity, you can host a supply drive or a food drive, volunteer at one of YWCA’s branches, make a donation online, or participate in the non-profit’s fundraising event, Inspire Luncheon, on September 18.
“We need people power, and we need resources, especially at this very tumultuous time,” said Chavez-Wilcox. “70% of our budget comes from the federal government and the public sector and I don't need to tell you how that's being ravaged right now. So, we're going to need help more than ever before.
"We really, really appreciate everything that anybody can do, because at the end of the day, we're all we’ve got and it is our community.”
