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Advocating for Change

With more than 20 locations across two counties, YWCA is a social justice organization that creates real change.

YWCA Elgin works where we’re needed most, with people who face the greatest barriers to stability and opportunity. We know that not all women, or all people, are treated equally. Women and girls of color experience injustices due to their race, gender, background, and more.

Advocacy Priorities

Commitment StatementAdvocacy for Change

The YWCA Elgin continues to advocate for affordable housing. In a world of uncertain economic times and limited resources, it is more vital than ever to help ensure that affordable and quality housing options are accessible to families and individuals with low to moderate income levels.

Our Work

• Issue Education       • Advocacy

Resource

The Housing Authority of Elgin, IL (HAE) is a public housing  agency and its mission is to provide quality affordable housing for low to moderate income families, and to make public housing in Elgin a “housing of choice.”

For more information on what programs the Housing Authority of Elgin has to offer, click here.

Commitment Statement

The YWCA Elgin ensures that all children have equal access to comprehensive, high-quality educational programs, including continuous development support. The YWCA Elgin feel early education plays an important role in reducing poverty and inequality by giving all children the opportunity to reach their full potential. When children get off to a strong start, they are more likely to grow up to be contributing members of their communities, helping to create a stronger economy.

Our Work

• Issue Education   • Advocacy

• Direct Services: ESL Family Literacy and School Age Childcare

Resources

Commitment Statement

The YWCA Elgin supports policies that contribute to the elimination of racism. This includes, but is not limited to , policies that eliminate racial profiling, increase immigrant rights, retain and strengthen affirmative action, reduce hate crimes and provide education on racism and its elimination.

Our Work

• Issue Education       • Advocacy

Resources

Commitment Statement

The YWCA Elgin supports anti-violence policies that protect victims, holds perpetrators accountable, and work to eradicate sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking crimes, gun violence, trafficking of women and girls, and dating violence. Specifically, we support the continuance and full funding for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and legislation that ensures employment stability and economic security for victims of violent acts.

Our Work

• Issue Education       • Advocacy

Resources

Commitment Statement

The YWCA Elgin believes a livable wage helps women and families better afford basic necessities, such as food, medicine, child care and housing. The YWCA Elgin supports policies to raise the federal minimum wage, protect overtime, strengthen equal pay and maintain the earned income tax credit to help provide economic security for all.

Our Work

• Issue Education       • Advocacy

resources

Commitment Statement

The YWCA Elgin supports the advancement of policy solutions to the health-care system to ensure affordable and quality health care options for all, including the uninsured and under-insured, the unemployed, retirees, individuals and families.

Our Work

• Issue Education       • Advocacy       • Direct Services: Diabetes Classes run by Advocate Aurora Health

resources

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Volunteer

Help us achieve our goal of eliminating racism & empowering women by volunteering with the YWCA Elgin today!

Give

YWCA Elgin believes in a wrap-around approach to providing support to those in our community in crisis. When you support our work, you help provide critical resources to women and families in need.

YWCA Statements