programs

Education and Literacy

Head Start

A free preschool program for children ages 2 ½ to 5, the YWCA Head Start program offers full day and part day classes, as well as home-based options. The YWCA currently operates in nine different locations throughout western Wayne County, servicing Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Redford, Inkster, and Garden City.

Enrollment is now taking place for the 2011-2012 school year. For more information, call (313) 561-4110 and press "5." Click here for the application

Great Start Readiness Program

Located at St. Albert the Great in Dearborn Heights, the YWCA's GSRP is a full-day, free preschool program for four-year olds that help prepare children for kindergarten. For more information, contact Andrea Gamber-Smith, GSRP Director, at (313) 292-5441.

YWCA Internships

The YWCA of Western Wayne County provides many unpaid internship opportunities in the areas of education, social work, bookkeeping, accounting, human resources, non-profit management, administration, mental health, disabilities, office management, secretarial, event planning, and public relations. If you are interested in an intership with our organization, please forward your resume to Andrea Gamber-Smith, Intern Coordinator, at agambersmith@ywca-wwc.org.

Professionals in Training

A mentoring program for young adult women, through the YWCA’s annual Women of Achievement Awards. Women of Achievement honorees are matched with outstanding young women throughout the community to provide extraordinary opportunities to develop marketable skills for a seamless transition from school to the workplace, while also empowering women to strive for their dreams!

Economic Empowerment

Financial Classes

A series of classes, instructed by professionals, that promote the development and implementation of financial skills. Classes offer individuals the opportunity to increase their understanding of a variety of topics, including: budgeting, consolidation, credit/debt management, and investing. Call (313) 561-4110 x17 for more class dates and times!

Individual Development Program (IDA)

A program that assists participants in improving their financial resources to achieve their financial goals of funding their continued education, buying a home or starting a small business. Participants learn valuable skills in money management and savings while working toward their financial goals. No new participants accepted at this time.

The Corporate Clothing Closet

A program that assists women who are displaced in the workforce to regain the skills, confidence and clothing they need to get them right back to where they belong. Participants are able to select a professional suit for interviewing, participate in resume building workshops, mock interviews and discuss career options with a volunteer coach dedicated to their success! Call (313) 561-4110 x17 for more information.

Anti-Racism

Stand Against Racism

Each year, the YWCA of Western Wayne County calls on organizations, corporations, schools, hospitals, houses of worship, and government agencies in Western Wayne County to become a “Participating Site” of the National YWCA Stand Against Racism event. By becoming a Participating Site, you will be joining your voices to ours in our ongoing plight to Stand Against Racism and to stand for the dignity and respect of all people.

The goal of the event is simple: we want to raise awareness that racism still exists in our community and that it can no longer be ignored or tolerated. Our strength is in numbers!

On Friday, April 27, 2012, the YWCA of Western Wayne County along with over 70 YWCAs throughout the country will be working closely with approximately 2,500 organizations that will cumulatively attract about 300,000 individuals. We hope you will be one of them!

Join the cause at http://www.causes.com/standagainstracism