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About the YWCA of Santa Monica - Westside

Founded in 1939, the YWCA Santa Monica / Westside is one of 316 YWCA's operating across the United States, and part of the world organization of YWCA's which includes 112 countries. Each YWCA operates independently and provides services and programs designed to meet the local community needs and resources. All share a common mission: to empower women and girls and to work towards the elimination of racism. To learn more about YWCA Santa Monica / Westside, watch this video: In Our Own Backyard Windows Media Player(.wmv)

The goal of the YWCA Santa Monica / Westside is to offer to women and children of all backgrounds, activities, classes and programs which promote lifelong personal growth, health and fitness in a friendly, supportive environment. The Mission Statement of the YWCA of the U.S.A. reads as follows: The Young Women's Christian Association of the United States of America 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. The YWCA is a completely separate organization from the YMCA. The two organizations separated more than 100 years ago and are not related in any manner. The YWCA Santa Monica / Westside offers two basic types of programs for women and children who live and/or work in the West Los Angeles/Santa Monica region. Programs that fill a vital community need and are supported by grants, private contributions and special events. These focus on education, housing and wellness, and include our Housing & Education Program for former foster care youth, our GIA and TECHgyrls program, ENCORE, and our Girls Basketball Program. Classes, lectures, workshops and fitness programs in which our members enroll and pay to attend. These include classes for adults and children in areas such as art, drama, gymnastics, dance, exercise, yoga, self-defense, financial planning, public speaking and parenting. Our Members We have more than 2,400 members representing a full spectrum of races, faiths, and ages. Belonging to the YWCA represents more than simply an opportunity to take part in our programs. It signals support for a movement that is committed to promoting racial justice, peace, freedom and dignity for all people, and especially the empowerment of women and children. Joining the YWCA is inexpensive and simple. Membership fees are $17.00 for children, $35.00 for adults and $25.00 for adults aged 55 and more. Scholarships are available. Please call Linda Garcia, Director of Member Services, at (310) 452-3881 for more information on membership. Our Staff Our Executive Director is Julia Miele. The YWCA Santa Monica/ Westside staff includes six program directors: Arianna Buturovic, Development Director Sharon Donaldson, Program Director Sharrie Wunder, Housing Director Barbara Olinger, Family Development Director Veronica Castro, Director of Girls Programs Other full and part-time staff teach our classes, direct the basketball program, supervise the residence, manage our bookkeeping and handle our reception and membership. Our Board of Directors Our volunteer Board of Directors is composed of corporate and community leaders who are dedicated to the ideals of the organization and committed to fostering those ideals through guiding the delivery of programs to the community. These volunteers provide professional knowledge, hands-on assistance, community contacts, and financial support to the organization as they serve on the board and its various committees. More than 125 adults volunteer their time to the YWCA, serving as basketball coaches and members of the board of directors and its committees. Funding The YWCA Santa Monica / Westside is funded through fundraising events, service club and corporate gifts, foundations, individual contributions, membership dues, program fees, and United Way allocations. We spend about 90% of every dollar on direct service, and we receive no Federal or State funding.