The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts was founded in 1911. The Mission of the YWCA speaks to the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women. The YWCA has undergone major changes nationally, regionally and locally, but it has continued “to create opportunities for women’s growth leadership and power” since its inception.
The organization adopted its One Imperative in 1970, “to thrust our collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary” and continues to work to that goal internally and throughout its service area. The Board of Directors and staff reflect the diversity of the area with a concentrated effort to have many locales served.
The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts serves the region surrounding Greater New Bedford including communities south of Brockton, east to Provincetown and west to Attleboro. The YWCA is one of 300 local associations of the YWCA USA, incorporated individually and operated autonomously by a Board of Directors elected by the general membership.
The programs and services of the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts are identified in five areas. They are Advocacy, Adult Services, Wellness for Women and Girls, the Women’s Collaborative Project and Youth Services.
Mission:
The YWCA is a women’s membership movement nourished by its roots in the Christian faith and sustained by the richness of many beliefs and values.
Strengthened by diversity, the Association draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision: Peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.
The Association will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.
Please visit us online at: http://www.ywca.org
BankFive has made a $10,000 grant to the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts for its capital campaign for a much-needed building addition. Marilyn Hopkins, First Vice President of BankFive and a member of the YWCA’s campaign steering committee stated, “BankFive is proud to make this grant to the YWCA. In this economic environment it is especially important to continue to grow this facility to accommodate the increasing needs of the communities this YWCA serves.” Maria Pinarreta, BankFive’s Vice President for Branch Administration also serves on this committee.
In December 2007, the YWCA completed the $800,000 first phase of its $4.8 capital campaign with extensive exterior improvements to the historic Levi Standish House located at 20 South Sixth Street in New Bedford.
The second phase of the YWCA’s campaign will fund the construction of an approximate 8,000 square foot building addition which will enable the YWCA to relocate its existing childcare and women’s residential housing to the Levi Standish House. The YWCA hopes to construct its new building addition by its 100th anniversary in 2011.
“We are extremely grateful to BankFive for its generous grant and we are especially proud to have two outstanding volunteers on our campaign committee. Marilyn Hopkins and Maria Pinarreta are two well respected women in our business community and they certainly appreciate the YWCA’s important mission,” declared Jan Baptist, president of the YWCA’s board of directors.
Founded in 1911, the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts is a women's membership movement whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. As the only YWCA south of Boston, it has provided programs and services to women and their families for 97 years.
BankFive has thirteen offices located throughout the SouthCoast. BankFive has been serving the community since 1855 and have made a commitment to provide local individuals with outstanding products and services to meet their financial needs. BankFive can be found on the web at www.bankfive.com.