YWCA K-W: A Case Study

Established in 1905, the YWCA K-W has successfully operated as a charitable organization that strives to provide multi service and community based programs for women and children. This organization is governed by a body of directors which include fifteens individuals from different professional fields such as counsellors, social workers, and doctors. While this organization employs professionals, to be financially sustainable YWCA K-W utilizes grants, donations, investments, and program revenues. With this is mind, YWCA K-W aims to foster “an equitable world where women, families, youth, and children thrive in inclusive communities”. K-W’s mission statement includes the promise to “support the enrichment of the lives of women, families, youth,

Being one of the largest social service agencies in the Waterloo region, the following specific programs are offered: homelessness and housing, psycho-education support, community outreach, early childhood education, youth development, summer camps, and annual conferences for girls. While YWCA has set programs for beneficiaries all year around, they are always looking for ways to provide more supportive housing, and adding more programs for women and young girls.

This semester, I will be completing my placement at YWMCA in the “Homelessness Assessment and Support” department as it is something that I take great interest in. The team at YWCA is anticipating my assistance and inputs in the following areas: developing budgets, housing plans, permanent housing, supporting in any necessary paper work. In addition, I will be learning and utilizing the “Vulnerability Index- Service Prioritization Decision Assistance” which is a tool used to determine the person’s/families depth of