Empowering Women ↘
Since 1907, women’s empowerment has been at the heart of YWCA Asheville’s work. The organization’s original charter in 1897 was to provide safe housing for working women. Today, the YWCA Asheville combines a history of initiatives for women’s empowerment and advocacy for gender justice, for and with women, into transformative programs for women to change their lives and the lives of their families.
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MotherLove
Empowering parenting teens to graduate, parent, and reach their goals.
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Getting Ahead
Empowering women to make informed decisions benefiting themselves, families and communities.
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Go Places
GO PLACES supports justice-involved young adults who are at high risk.
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Empowerment Childcare
Free childcare for parents who are in transition, continuing their education, or seeking employment.
MotherLove ↘
MotherLove provides mentoring and support for teen parents.
At the YWCA we believe all women deserve the opportunity to complete their education and reach their goals. YWCA’s MotherLove program aims to help pregnant and parenting teens stay in school and graduate, access higher education and vocational training, develop the skills and knowledge needed to become strong parents, and delay another teen pregnancy. We are committed to ensuring bright futures for teen parents and their families.
Annes’ MotherLove Story
Goals of MotherLove
High School Graduation
Healthy Pregnancy and Birth
Nurturing Parenting Skills
Delay of Second Pregnancy
What’s Included
One-on-one support for participants with YW staff members for individual case management and academic goal setting.
Home Visits to help participants provide healthy, nurturing homes for their children.
Evening Group Meetings for participants to provide additional opportunities to discuss relevant issues in a supportive, group setting.
Lunch Bunch gatherings are held at eight area high schools throughout the school year. Students are provided with a healthy lunch and receive information about parenting, teen pregnancy prevention, and healthy relationships, and they get connected to community resources. Young parents share stories or seek advice from each other in an atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance. Lunch Bunch is open to any pregnant or parenting teen regardless of enrollment in the MotherLove program.
We serve students enrolled in the following schools:
Asheville High/WR Learning Center/SILSA
AC Reynolds High School
Community High School
Erwin High School
Enka High School
North Buncombe High School
Owen High School
TC Roberson High School
For More Information, Contact:
MotherLove Coordinator
828.254.7206 x 205
motherlove@ywcaofasheville.org
Thanks to Our Funders
The MotherLove program is made possible with support from the City of Asheville, NC Dept Health and Human Services – Women’s Health Branch – Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, Bank of America, TD Bank, the United Way of Asheville, Buncombe County Health and Human Services and YWCA donors. The YWCA of Asheville is a proud partner with Working Wheels.
Getting Ahead↘
Financial Empowerment for Women
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World® – Building Resources for a Better Life. YWCA’s Getting Ahead program aims to provide economic empowerment for low-income women of all ages and backgrounds to make choices that positively impact themselves, their families and their community.
Knowledge is Power
A series of “kitchen table” discussions that investigate the causes of poverty, the hidden rules of class, and resources needed by all. Participants will assess individual situations as well as the condition of our community to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
“Going through the program made me realize that I wasn’t in this by myself. I was surrounded by people just like me who were humble enough to say ‘I need help.”
“The class has re-shaped my thinking process- the way I approach situations as possibilities, not obstacles”
Participants Receive
Meals and snacks at each session
A $20 stipend for each session attended,
received once the program is completedA workbook to keep track of learning and personal goals
One-on-one case management for 18
months to support personal successChildcare upon request
For More Information, Contact:
Getting Ahead Coordinator
828.254.7206 x219
gettingahead@ywcaofasheville.org
Thanks to Our Funders
United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County, Mary Norris Pryer Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, Women for Women Giving Circle, and Buncombe County Strategic Partnership Funds.
The YWCA of Asheville is a proud partner with Working Wheels.
Go Places ↘
GO PLACES helps justice-involved young adults prepare for employment through placement into paid work experiences, job training, and mentorship. GO PLACES is a three-year, grant-funded project operating in North Carolina and Tennessee. In partnership in Buncombe County with My Daddy Taught Me That and the SPARC Foundation, YWCA of Asheville serves woman-identifying and non-binary participants in the program.
The GO PLACES project at the YWCA will focus on woman-identifying and non-binary people who:
Are between the ages of 18 and 24.
Either live in Asheville’s highest poverty areas or who’ll return to those areas when their sentences are complete.
Were either forced out of school, have been on probation or parole, or incarcerated.
Have one or more risk factors associated with criminal activity, such as current or prior gang membership or a parent who is currently or formerly incarcerated.
Key features of GO PLACES include
Job training for jobs that are in demand in the Buncombe County labor market.
Two hundred hours of work experience. Options include on-the-job training, an apprenticeship, an internship, or paid or subsidized employment.
Access to classes at schools with short-term job training programs, such as A-B Tech and Blue Ridge Community College.
For More Information Contact:
Women’s Empowerment
womens.empowerment@ywcaofasheville.org
or call 828-254-7206 ext. 104
