The Other Bank

YWCA Olympia is a non-profit, multi-service organization that has served girls, womxn and families since 1945. Today, YWCA Olympia is focused on our mission of eliminating racism and sexism to advance the social, political, and economic status of all womxn and girls. All of our activities place the leadership and wisdom of Womxn of Color at the center. We do this while also seeking to engage people of all genders, races, classes and abilities in the collective work of the YWCA’s vision: All People are valued, live free from oppression, and thrive in a just society. Our core strategies that anchor all program spaces and support ongoing organizational development are community building, education, and participant-led advocacy. Through these strategies we intend to: 1. Create spaces that support individual and collective healing from the traumas of racialized and gender-based violence; 2. Shift culture away from white supremacy toward fully inclusive, anti-racist, multiculturalism; and 3. Influence institutional change in Thurston County spaces to interrupt, and ultimately dismantle, systemic oppression.

Aligned with these strategies and intentions, YWCA facilitates programs for youth, adults, and the community. These include Youth Council, Girls Without Limits!, Girls Advocacy & Impact Network, Womxn’s Economic Empowerment, Communities in Action, Intercultural Foundations and the Intercultural Foundations Community Institute.