YWCA TRI-COUNTY AREA

YWCA Tri-County Area Education and Training Center empowers individuals to find freedom and dignity through education and employment. ETC offers Adult Basic Education classes, high school equivalency preparation and training, English as a Second Language/Civics classes, and support for adults seeking to build employment skills: resume building, interviewing practice, job search strategies. Students can refresh their skills and/or work toward a Pennsylvania Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.

Women's Empowerment 360 is a free, self-directed online program that provides tools to women at any stage of business development and operation.

The Education and Training Center operates in Pottstown and Norristown.

YWCA Tri-County Area works to empower women and girls economically, occupationally, socially, and emotionally. Healthy Pathways Project helps girls develop resilience, adopt healthy habits, and build confidence and leadership skills. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, YWCA Tri-County Area hosts a variety of advocacy and educational events, including the Week Without Violence. Tribute To Exceptional Women, and Tribute to Exceptional Girls, honor local women and girls each year for their achievements in their professions, in their communities, and in their schools.

YWCA Tri-County Area advocates for racial, gender, and social justice. On a local level, YW leads community discussions on topics such as racism and diversity. On a national level, we participate in YWCA USA’s legislative advocacy agenda, and help move forward legislation which supports our mission.

YW takes a program-informed approach to its advocacy, drawing on the expertise and resources of the national organization and focusing on the practical solutions that meet the needs of women, girls and families in the marginalized communities we serve.

A core component of YWCA Tri-County Area’s work is a dedication to eliminating racism. This mission is infused into each of our programs, at every age level. We recognize racism as an adverse childhood experience. We participate in YWCA USA's annual Stand Against Racism each April.

Foster Grandparents Program, a program of the Senior Corps of the federal Corporation for National and Community Service, provides older adults with opportunities to give back to their community while improving educational outcomes for children. Foster Grandparents matches adults 55+ with children who need a little extra attention to progress in school. Foster Grandparents help children improve literacy and math skills and build communication and social skills. Older adults who are income-qualified receive a stipend for their service.

Dignity Kitchen is a commercial kitchen located in the Montgomery County Human Services Center in Norristown. Dignity Kitchen provides home-delivered meals for seniors and other homebound residents, prepares meals for residents displaced by natural disasters, and provides daily breakfast and lunch for workers in the Human Services Center. Dignity Kitchen also is a culinary arts training program, using the Catalyst Kitchen model for social enterprise in food service.

YW’s Youth Empowerment Programs engage more than 500 youth from infants to beyond high school in educational, enrichment, and leadership opportunities. Each component includes age-appropriate activities facilitated by experienced youth program leaders. Components of the Youth Empowerment Programs include:
• STEAM Enrichment offers hands-on projects for children grades 3-8, including Lego WeDo, Osmo learning system, and FHI 360's Educational Equity.
• Before/After School enrichment for children K-6, includes homework help and tutoring, physical education, creative expression, and STEAM exploration.
• Healthy Pathways Project emphasizes nutrition education, wellness classes, movement, and leadership opportunities, raising awareness of healthy lifestyle changes for youth and their families. The primary program goals are: improving healthy behaviors; healthy choices/decision making; and leadership/advocacy.
• Camp Adventures provides a summer camp experience for youth.

YW's organization-wide emphasis on trauma-informed and -responsive practices minimize the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences and reduce effects ACEs may have on physical and emotional health. Youth exposed to ACEs may be drawn to unhealthy behaviors—such as smoking or unhealthy eating—during adolescence, the age when adult habits often are established. Adults exposed to childhood trauma may be more likely to develop chronic disease later in life.

Early education and youth programs incorporate social/emotional learning in the curricula. Conscious Discipline is a learning tool that recognizes all behaviors, both positive and negative, are opportunities to teach a new skill. Teachers model positive interactions designed to teach positive communication skills, manage emotions and reactions, learn positive conflict resolution, and give dignity to all children. Youth programs trauma-informed curricula include Girls Circle, Council for Boys and Young Men, and The Art of Yoga Project.

YW's participation in the Emergency Utilities and Rent Coalition in Montgomery County, Pa., prevents homelessness by providing funds to residents who may be behind on rent or utility payments. When a resident is approved, payments go directly to the landlord or utility.