Empowering Through Economic Advancement
We accomplish our mission via our Women’s Resource Center and Getting Ahead program.
Women's Resource Center
YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region offers a variety of programs at our new Women’s Resource Center that focus on employability and education.
This service is provided by appointment and at no cost. YWCA staff can assist with:- Computer Literacy Skills
- Interviewing Skills
- Job Searching
Getting Ahead is our 13-week workshop offered to women struggling financially and involves a combination of self-examination and economic education. Participants study the patterns of economic class, debt-to-income ratio, hidden rules, language, family structures, and social capital. All participants leave the class with personal economic action plans for success and are eligible for an educational stipend.
The Getting Ahead curriculum creates the foundation for a new mindset for participants living in poverty. This 13-week workshop is followed with support services to assist participants with their economic action plan. These support services include case management, reinforcement of curriculum, employment and education resources and direct assistance.
The curriculum and action plans allow us to engage and empower women to transition out of the cycle of poverty into financial stability.
The Getting Ahead curriculum creates the foundation for a new mindset for participants living in poverty. This 13-week workshop is followed with support services to assist participants with their economic action plan. These support services include case management, reinforcement of curriculum, employment and education resources and direct assistance.
The curriculum and action plans allow us to engage and empower women to transition out of the cycle of poverty into financial stability.
"The Getting Ahead program has given us encouragement, support, and knowledge. Thank you all so very much!"
- 2016 Graduate
Spring Schedule
• Enrollment: December – January
• 13 Week Program: February – May
• Graduation: May
Fall Schedule
• Enrollment: July – September
• 13 Week Program: September – December
• Graduation: December
Dress for Success
The YWCA Working Wardrobe provides work-appropriate clothing for low-income women who are seeking employment, starting a new job, or going to school. Women visit the closet when they are newly hired for a job or are seeking appropriate attire for interviews. The goal of the program is to prepare women for employment and boost their self-esteem by helping them “dress for success”.We are currently accepting office-appropriate clothing, accessories (hand bags, scarves, umbrellas) and shoes in all sizes. Please make sure that all donated clothing is in good condition. Items donated that would not be used in the Working Wardrobe will be further donated to another organization. Donations can be dropped off at our Bay City location.