Reaffirming Our Commitment to Those We Serve
We are in a time of great upheaval. Action was taken at the federal level to try to freeze funding for organizations like ours that dare to have a mission like we do. Efforts to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives threaten the progress we’ve fought for, while policies targeting immigrant communities undermine the very fabric of opportunity and justice.
In response, we would like to take the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to you and all those we serve:
We will remain steadfast in our mission. One we have upheld for over 130 years—to eliminate racism, empower women and girls, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for ALL.
We will continue to provide support and services to everyone in our community - regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or disability status.
We will ensure that every person who enters our spaces is treated with respect and afforded the protections they are entitled to under the law.
We see things today that bear a startling resemblance to injustices YWCA Minneapolis has challenged throughout history. We stood against lynchings in the early 20th century, speaking out against racial terror when silence was the norm. We opposed the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, refusing to accept policies rooted in fear and discrimination. We opened the first integrated pool in the Twin Cities, breaking barriers when segregation was the status quo.
Now, as we witness efforts at the federal level to roll back civil rights, undermine DEI initiatives, and target immigrant communities, we are reminded that history repeats itself when we fail to confront injustice. We will not stand by—we will continue to fight for equity, justice and human dignity, just as we always have.
And once again, our community is turning to us. In a time when disinformation and distraction sow fear and confusion, we remain a trusted resource for those we serve.
Families in our early childhood education centers have expressed fears about their future. Fifty percent of our families rely on federal pass-through funds to afford childcare—funds that are now under threat. In response, we are proactively working to reduce dependence on these uncertain resources by strengthening local support. This is an opportunity for our community to act locally, ensuring that no child loses access to high-quality early education, regardless of what happens at the federal level.
Young people in our programs turn to our counselors because they trust us, knowing they are valued and supported. Many are grappling with policies that seek to erase their identities, and fears about what that means for their future. In response, we are ensuring that we can continue to provide this critical support with your help—through youth programs that build resilience, and provide safe spaces for young people to process, heal and advocate for themselves.
The robust immigrant community we work alongside is a vital part of our shared prosperity. As harmful rhetoric and policy changes create fear and uncertainty, we are expanding our legal rights education, providing families with critical information on how to navigate interactions with local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
At a time when federal actions threaten the well-being of our most vulnerable, local action has never been more critical. Your support ensures that we can continue this work uninterrupted—providing stability, education, and advocacy no matter what happens next.
With your support now, we can continue to provide families with access to high-quality, affordable childcare. We can continue to deliver programming for young people to discover and be their best selves. We can continue to foster community—welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to our Midtown location, all while keeping justice at the heart of everything we do.