Young Women's Christian Association Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia

YWCA NETN and SWVA aims to meet the changing needs of the families and communities we serve by offering affordable childcare, teen pregnancy education and support and a STEM based afterschool program for girls.

The YWCA Children’s Center provides stability, safety and structure for the children and families we serve. Last year, YWCA NETN and SWVA enrolled 121 children in our child care program, half of which came from single parent households. Of the 121 children, 73% received reduced rates based on household income. The very nature of offering guidance and assistance allows our program to help some of the most vulnerable parents and children in our area. Through continued education and intentional focus on physical fitness and developmentally appropriate movement we are hopefully that our participants will continue on the right track to ensure lifelong health and wellness.

The YWCA early childhood education program has maintained an active waiting list during its 25 year existence and on average 70% or more of the families served receives some type of financial assistance. Studies have shown at-risk children from low-income families, who have attended a quality early childcare program, benefit in many ways: Are 40% less likely to drop out of school; 50% less likely to become welfare dependent; 33% higher literacy rate; and a 66% higher employment rate.

The current YWCA Board of Directors consists of up to thirty volunteer members who determine and carry out policies and programs of the Association. The Board of Directors control operating funds and capital assets, communicate the YWCA’s mission to members and the community, foster development of the Association as a women's membership movement; maintain programming which meets the agency’s mission and meet monthly to set the overall strategic direction and policies for the agency. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kathy Waugh, is responsible to the Board of Directors for the administration, fiscal management, facilities, staffing and program development in accordance with the by-laws and policies of the YWCA. The CEO, with over thirty years of experience leading the organization, provides leadership, supervision and a sense of direction for all staff members.

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The YWCA NETN and SWVA has been a leader in early childhood education for nearly 31 years and is the
largest early childhood childcare provider in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The YW’s main
campus, licensed for eighty four children (ages 6 weeks – 5 years), is a 30,000 square foot facility located
near downtown Bristol. In a partnership with Wellmont Health System (now Ballad Health) the YWCA
NETN and SWVA also operates Wellmont Child Development Center, licensed for one hundred twenty
children, which is located on the campus of Bristol Regional Medical Center. The YWCA NETN and SWVA
manages, operates, and staffs both facilities which are licensed by the State of Tennessee and have
consecutively received “Three Stars,” the highest level of achievement, in the State of Tennessee Star
Quality Program. The continuous Three Star rating reflects our commitment to excellence, and the pride in
which we deliver our superior service to over two hundred families daily.

YWCA has 30 years’ experience in managing state licensed programs following regulatory licensing
guidelines, including mandated training, curriculum, and budget management. This includes sensitive topics
such as child abuse detection and reporting. The YWCA has a proven history of effectively managing
multiple complicated systems following state and federal guidelines on a large scale.