4 Reasons to Volunteer with the YWCA
Here at the YWCA, our mission of “Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women” will never become a reality without the help of the masses. And that’s why we need all of you!
Our fabulous volunteers have given thousands of hours of service to our organization, but for those of you wondering what impact your work really has, or for those of you looking for opportunities surrounding a specific issue that you feel passionate about, here is your one-stop-shop for volunteering with the YWCA!
Issue #1: Although the YWCA addresses every issue from housing to health access, the underlying barrier that compounds all others is poverty. In 2010, 24% of female headed households in King and Snohomish counties were living below poverty level, and 30% of female headed households with children under 18 were living below poverty level. Statewide, a whopping 47% of single mothers with children under 5 were living in poverty, and a staggering 18% of children lived in households with incomes below the national poverty level.
What you can do: Volunteer to provide childcare for the Young Parent Program in Central Seattle.
Issue #2: Research has shown that, as the level of educational attainment rises in mothers, the rate also rises in their children. However, within King and Snohomish counties, 36,544 women over age 18 have an eduational level less than that of a 9th grader, and 53,747 women over age 18 have never received a high school diploma.
What you can do: Become a Young Parent Tutor or Homework Club Tutor.
Issue #3: According to The United Way’s One Night Count for 2012, there are currently 2,594 people living on the streets in King County alone. Of that, 174 were identified as women, and 1,531 individuals could not be appropriately identified by gender.
What you can do: Become a Donation Assistant or a Knitting or Crocheting Group Leader at Angeline’s Center for Homeless Women.
Issue #4: In King and Snohomish counties, 149,603 women and girls do not have health insurance coverage. For these women and girls, a simple diagnosis can be detrimental to their family’s financial security and well-being.
What you can do: Volunteer to help out at our Annual Women’s Health Outreach Rainbow Health Fair in June. Email Samantha Tripoli for more information.
The YWCA was able to touch the lives of more than 62,000 adults and youth to help address issues related to homelessness, lack of job skills, domestic violence and racial injustice in 2010. With your help, we can increase that number and eradicate disparity in our communities.
To learn about additional ways to get involved with the YWCA, visit our website.
Information for this post was provided by the U.S. Census.
