Support YWCA this Giving Tuesday!
woman and her two sons
For 112 years, the YWCA of Asheville has been on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The YWCA works to accomplish this mission by providing programs that help bridge gaps in education, earning power, health and wellness, and access to child care for low-wealth and underserved families in our community. Our work that impacts the daily lives of hundreds of women like Michelle, a participant in our Getting Ahead (in a Just Gettin’ by World) financial empowerment program for women. By spring of 2018, Michelle, a single mother of two young children, had hit a dead end. “I was struggling financially, trying to make ends meet making minimum wage at Burger King,” she said. To make matters worse, Michelle did not have access to reliable transportation.
Michelle became more confident with each session. Getting Ahead helped her identify the resources and strength she already had at her disposal, then connected her to other resources in the community and taught her how to utilize them. More importantly, though, the classes gave her the opportunity to connect with other women who had also made the brave decision to empower themselves. Now, Michelle is a Peer Support Specialist at a local addiction treatment center where she has already received a promotion, and she just completed her certification to become a Phlebotomist. Michelle also serves as a co-facilitator of Getting Ahead, using the knowledge and skills she gained to help other women who are looking to change their lives the way she changed hers. Living in poverty can feel like being trapped in a vicious cycle with no hope for escape. The Getting Ahead program shows women that, with support, a better future is attainable. We are so proud of Michelle and all that she has accomplished. When you give to the YWCA, you are helping women like Michelle access the tools they need to empower themselves and their families. Your support just might change someone’s life for the better. Please make a gift to the YWCA today!