Learn a bit more about how the oldest YWCA in the south became the YWCA Richmond we are today, with this brief look at our history:
1887
YWCA Richmond was conceived in a parlor meeting of eight women on May 16, 1887
1888
Opened a boarding home, which would accommodate 19 young women moving to Richmond for factory work
1891
1911
1914
Began construction of the YWCA facility on 5th Street; the building was designed for programs focusing on residence and physical fitness
1930
1960
1979
Started a sexual assault center, one of the first in Virginia; it operates today as Richmond’s only 24-Hour sexual assault center; Opened the first shelter for battered women in Richmond
1989
Opened the first shelter for battered women in Chesterfield initiated the first and only preschool program for homeless children in Richmond
1996
Eliminated health and fitness programs to concentrate on three focus areas: domestic violence, sexual violence, and early childhood education
2001
2006
2007
2008
Opened a second year-round, full-day Child Development Center site within the Chippenham Place apartment community; Celebrated the retirement of Cathy Pond who served as Executive Director for 15 years.
2009
Started the Regional Hospital Accompaniment Response Team (R-HART) program in collaboration with Safe Harbor and Hanover Safe Place to serve MCV and Bon Secours Health Systems
2010
Implementation of new strategic plan and change in housing model to transitional housing
2011
Celebrated 120 years of providing childcare to Richmond
2012
Welcomed Linda S.Tissiere as Chief Executive Officer and celebrated our 125th Anniversary
2013
Awarded $100,000 Impact100 grant to launch the Rapid Rehousing Transformation Project, in conjunction with emergency services for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence.
2014
- Introduced the Pat Asch Fellowship for Social Justice
- Launched the Greater Richmond Regional Hotline in collaboration with Project Hope @ Quin Rivers, Inc., Hanover Safe Place, Safe Harbor RVA and The James House. (now Goochland Free Clinic, as well)
2015
- Celebrated 35th Anniversary of the Outstanding Women Awards.
- Greater Richmond Regional Hotline is awarded the 2015 Innovation in Homeless Service award from Homeward.
- Launched the Sprout School and began construction on classrooms at the Children’s Museum of Richmond