Young Women's Christian Association Of Greater Austin
About Young Women's Christian Association Of Greater Austin
At YWCA Greater Austin, the work starts with real life: affordable counseling, no-cost support groups, youth programming, and crisis resources for women, girls, families, and communities of color in Austin. The organization also trains community members and advocates on issues like race, discrimination, voting rights, and mental health, so support does not stop at the therapy door. If you want to back an Austin organization that pairs direct care with public advocacy, this is a place to look.
What sets YWCA Greater Austin apart is how local and layered its work is. The organization brings trauma-informed counseling, youth education, financial health support, and advocacy together under one roof, all through a lens of racial justice, gender equity, and culturally responsive care.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Counseling and Referral Center
Affordable, culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health counseling and therapeutic support groups for women, couples, families, and children.
Support groups
No-cost support groups for the Central Texas community, including groups focused on body image, navigating parenthood, and trauma support.
GenYW Youth Programming
Curriculum-based educational groups during school hours and school breaks that build resiliency, social emotional learning, self-regulation, identity, empowerment, and community connectedness.
STEAM Education
STEAM groups for students in grades 3 through 8 to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math alongside socio-emotional growth activities.
Training Program and Education Services
Presentations and trainings on reproductive health, financial literacy, voting rights and voter information, mindfulness, body image, youth leadership, personal growth, and professional development.
Financial Health Clinic
Financial planning, investing, and budgeting support made accessible to historically marginalized or underserved communities.
Advocacy programming
Monthly dialogues on race and discrimination, an annual mental health symposium, a Dia de los Muertos altar, and get-out-the-vote campaigns.
Survivor Services
Crisis-support information and relationship-health resources, including connections to domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide, crisis text, warmline, and addiction support services.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
YWCA Greater Austin is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, strengthen communities, help families, and stand up for social justice, while promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Who they serve
Women, girls, families, children, youth, and communities of color in Greater Austin, including students and historically marginalized or underserved communities.
Their impact
- 89% of those receiving therapy demonstrated improvement in mental health status.
- 518 people were served through support and consultation groups.
- 1,089 emerging therapists, clinicians, and community members were trained in trauma-informed, anti-racist curricula.
- 263 people were served in individual, couple’s, and family counseling.
- 95% achieved a treatment plan goal.
- 584 individuals participated in support groups.
- 4 Manor ISD schools were served.
- 18 AISD schools were served.
How your donation helps
- Mental health counseling, support groups, and referral services
- Financial wellness and economic empowerment training
- Reproductive health trainings and reproductive health kits
- Youth empowerment and GenYW programming
- Trauma-informed, anti-racist training for community members
Our story
Founded in 1907, YWCA Greater Austin has been part of the Greater Austin community through a long stretch of changing needs. Its history includes desegregation efforts in the 1950s and 1960s, drug addiction programs in the 1970s and 1980s, the Volunteer and Training Institute and trauma-informed mental health counseling in the early 2000s, GenYW youth programming in the 2010s, and COVID response in recent years.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Young Women's Christian Association Of Greater Austin’s services.
People seeking services can email info@ywcaaustin.org or use the Connect form to ask about services and schedule an in-person appointment. The Survivor Services page lists crisis resources including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, SAFE, the National Sexual Assault Hotline, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, Integral Care, the National Warmline Directory, and the Texas Addiction Hotline.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
It’s an honor to support our incredible team as we continue empowering women and eliminating racism across Austin.
I didn’t want to participate in the ice breaker today but you helped me get excited about our activities...now I am having a blast, Excited to return tomorrow!
Events
Monthly dialogues on race and discrimination
monthlyAdvocacy conversations focused on issues of race and discrimination.
Mental Health Symposium
annualAn annual symposium focused on mental health and social inequities.
Dia de los Muertos altar and mural project
annualA commemorative project honoring those lost because of injustice.
Get out the vote campaigns
campaignCivic engagement efforts connected to the organization's advocacy work.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Young Women's Christian Association Of Greater Austin has shared.
Current needs
- Copy paper
- Pony beads and bracelet making materials
- Large popsicle sticks
- Gift cards to HEB, Sam’s Club, Target, or similar businesses
- Pads and tampons
- Emergency contraception and contraceptives
Volunteer opportunities
- Volunteer and intern support through the Volunteer and Training Institute
- Community volunteers for continuing education classes and workshops
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of counseling are available?
The Counseling and Referral Center offers affordable mental health counseling and therapeutic support groups that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for women, couples, families, and children.
What does GenYW do in schools?
GenYW offers curriculum-based educational groups during school hours and school breaks, with a focus on resiliency, social emotional learning, self-regulation, trauma healing, identity, empowerment, and community connectedness.
How can someone in crisis find help?
The Survivor Services page shares crisis resources, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, SAFE, the National Sexual Assault Hotline, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, Integral Care, the National Warmline Directory, and the Texas Addiction Hotline.
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