YWCA of North Central Indiana

YWCA North Central Indiana is the oldest and largest women’s movement in the community, proudly serving women and their families since 1903 through the merger of St. Joseph County and Elkhart County associations in 2011. Rooted in over 150 years of advocacy for women’s rights and civil rights, the organization empowers women and fosters peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all, with a commitment to eliminating racism and violence wherever it exists. It provides comprehensive crisis services, including emergency safe shelter, safety planning, counseling and case management for domestic violence, sexual assault, and substance use survivors, as well as supportive housing, child care, and access to healthcare. The YWCA’s self-sufficiency program supports economic empowerment through free classes on financial literacy, salary negotiation, leadership development, and more, available in English and Spanish to both residential and nonresidential clients in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties. Additional offerings include youth and family services like the Take Charge program for violence prevention in schools, legal advocacy for protective orders, community educational programs on abuse and assault, and a gender-specific Women’s Journey substance use treatment program utilizing a 16-step recovery model. As a powerful voice for women since 1858, YWCA North Central Indiana advocates at local, state, and national levels for policies promoting fairness, dignity, and opportunity, ensuring all survivors—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or background—receive confidential, compassionate support to achieve their full potential and build stronger futures.