YWCA Empowerment

The YWCA economic empowerment program supports individuals and families as they strive to improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency. As a change agent in the community, the YWCA offers affordable and accessible services that promote opportunities for employment, education, leadership and lifestyle enrichment.

Our diverse empowerment program includes services for those striving to achieve economic independence with: job readiness and skill assessment, job training, financial education and counseling, case management, and referral services for housing, transportation and childcare. These programs benefit from collaborative relationships with an array of community partners who support our commitment to empowering women.

Case Management

The YWCA’s one-on-one personal case management supports women in transition. These services often cross over various programs in economic empowerment. Sometimes it involves mentoring a woman through career development and shoestring budgeting, working with a bank on her behalf to help manage mortgage payments and avoid foreclosure. We assist in addressing the larger financial picture, while guiding participants through our various programs, each with specific goals.

This comprehensive case management means we’re helping unemployed and underemployed women gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed in life. Our programs feature some of the region’s most successful professional women leaders providing guidance and inspiration to our members.

Career Development Training

Our program prepares women and men to succeed at the job they want. This 18-hour training workshop targets those who are unemployed, unsatisfied with their current job, or continue to bounce around from job to job. We coach participants at all levels, helping them learn to get the right job by assessing their skills and helping them choose a career that fits. Participants learn how to choose the right career path, develop effective resumes, improve interviewing skills, and where to look for openings. At the same time, we empower low-resource women by providing them with access to professional attire for interviews.

Workshops are personalized and may include collaboration with Wake Technical Community College for development of specific skills. Literacy is required to participate, though no GED or high school diploma is necessary. With a pulse on what life is like for struggling families, the YWCA provides child care and dinner for all during workshops.

Budget Management Workshops

Financial literacy helps women increase money management skills and gain confidence in their finances. Our budget management program participants take a closer look at their budgets for food, clothing, housing, utilities and transportation, and develop a proactive plan for saving and spending money.

Tailored for varied groups and participants, women learn from certified financial educators how to save, avoid mis-spending, and plan for financial stability. Workshops take place at the YWCA on an ongoing basis and may be arranged off-site for groups of 10 or more.

Money Groups

This YWCA program enables participants to take control of their finances in a supportive group setting. Women from all walks of life have the opportunity to share experiences and discuss topics that impact their financial success. Groups of up to 12 women meet monthly in a supportive setting to explore how they can grow their wealth.

They decide where and when to meet, topics of discussion, and who will lead each meeting. Guest speakers are often invited to talk about investments, estate planning, saving for a child’s education, issues related to divorce, and more. There is no fee for this program, and the YWCA provides the framework and support to help money groups succeed.

Legal Seminars

Learn from a faculty of licensed North Carolina attorneys on subjects such as child custody, divorce, will and estate planning, among other topics. Seminars are held monthly with a nominal fee for each.