WHAT WE DO

YWCA High Point Advocacy

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen communities. We’ve been at the forefront of the biggest issues of the day for 160 years: from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity and from violence prevention to health care reform. We carry on this long tradition of social action and advocacy to advance our mission — and you are a crucial part of this work.

2023 Racial Equity Scorecard | High Point, NC

To create the Racial Equity Scorecard, YWCA worked with Dr. Stephen Sills from the National Institute of Minority Economic Development. Dr. Sills analyzed current reports and studies to develop baseline statistics of the racial disparities in High Point.

Community advocates and stakeholders with YWCA High Point leadership chose topics to include in the Racial Equity Scorecard. The group participated in a structured process to determine what measures would most effectively illustrate the state of race in High Point as it is today.

Topics include:

  • Income and Wealth
  • Education
  • Public Safety
  • Health
  • Civic Engagement and Digital Equity
  • Transportation and Food Access

Scorecard Presentation

VIEW THE SCORECARD NOW

Advocacy Agenda

Eliminate policies and practices that criminalize people of color

YWCA High Point is committed to ensuring everyone is afforded equal opportunity and protection under the law. Too often, however, stereotypes, biases, and racial power dynamics are embedded in our laws and public policies. They are also reflected in racial profiling, heightened surveillance tactics, targeted enforcement strategies, and other practices that increase policing of specific racial and ethnic communities (but not others) and criminalize people of color.

What we support:

  • Ending racial and religious profiling
  • Creating safe, equitable educational environments that support learning for all students, especially those most impacted by school discipline and sexual harassment policies and practices
  • Reforming laws, policies, and practices to safeguard people of color from police violence
  • Passing laws, resolutions, and ordinances that declare racism to be a public health crisis

Ensure health care for women, girls, and marginalized people

Quality, affordable, culturally-competent health care is critical to everyone. But for many women, children, people of color, and trauma survivors, getting the medical care and insurance coverage they need is a struggle. Moreover, unequal access to health care is a driving factor in racial disparities in maternal and other health outcomes in our community.

What we support:

  • Protecting and expanding healthcare coverage for women
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Comprehensive reproductive health services
  • Improved maternal health outcomes for women of color
  • Elimination of health disparities
  • Addressing racism as a public health crisis

YWCA High Point’s statement on reproductive rights: YWCA High Point supports the right of reproductive freedom for all people to make fundamental decisions about whether and when to have children.

Protect Immigrant Women, Children, and Families

YWCA High Point is committed to ensuring that those seeking safety and opportunity in our community can arrive and live without fear, harm, or discrimination. Current immigration policies, however, have retraumatized survivors of violence, heightened fears, and exacerbated discrimination against immigrant communities. Any discussion of immigration must prioritize the safety of immigrant women, children, and families who often have experienced violence, trafficking, extreme poverty, and other threats to their safety and health.

What we support:

  • A path to citizenship for undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children
  • An end to family separation and family detention
  • Asylum for survivors of violence
  • Full and fair immigration and asylum proceedings

Protect the Rights and Safety of Marginalized Communities

YWCA’s intersectional mission to eliminate racism and empower women demands that we show up to advocate against the oppression that historically marginalized groups and individuals endure. We recognize the interconnected experiences of discrimination and disadvantage that women face from their overlapping identities.

What we support:

  • A complete, fair, and transparent census and redistricting process
  • Restoration of the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
  • Equal Rights Amendment

Expand opportunities for women’s successful workplace participation

Equal pay, workplace fairness, and access to high-skill and high-wage jobs are essential to women’s economic advancement in the 21st century. As breadwinners, caretakers, and essential drivers of our nation’s economy, women should not have to choose between their livelihood and their health, their family, or their safety. Yet many women and families, particularly women and families of color, must make this choice daily.

What we support:

  • Fair wages and equal pay
  • Safe, fair, and inclusive workplaces free of discrimination and harassment
  • Paid family leave, paid sick leave, and job-protected safe leave
  • Access to training, career development, and educational opportunities in high-skilled, high-wage, STEM, and other 21st-century work opportunities

Advocacy Initiatives

YWCA Community Builders

Community Builders Task Force exists to eliminate racism in High Point by engaging residents through relationships and anti-racism education.

Explore Community Builders Task Force

YWomenVOTE

Women are a driving force in elections. And we’re on track to do it again in 2022.

Your Voice, Your Vote, Your Future.

Learn More at YWomenVOTE.org

Get Out the Vote (GOTV)

Between federal, state, and local elections, there are nearly 7,000 seats  up for grabs across the country in this year’s Midterm elections on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.  These elections will set the tone of the nation for years to come.

Voting is critical to ensuring a healthy, safe, empowered future for us, our families, and our communities. Make sure you, your friends, and your loved ones are registered to vote, be sure to double-check your registration, and make sure to show up to the polls! Click on the button below to get started.

Register to Vote in NC

Week Without Violence

Week Without Violence is part of a global movement with YWCAs across the country and around the world to end violence against women and girls. At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally and that some victims go unrecognized altogether. That’s why, for more than 20 years, YWCA has set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence. Join us from October 17 – 22, as we raise awareness, elevate survivor voices, talk with policymakers, and more with a common goal: centering survivors so that together, we can end gender-based violence.

Learn More at YWCAWeekWithoutViolence.org

YWCA USA Advocacy Agenda

Your voice is critical as we advocate for policies that bring us closer to eliminating racism, empowering women, and ensuring peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Learn more about YWCA USA’s policy and advocacy agenda here. Visit YWCA USA’s Action Center to join in taking action on 2022 legislative priorities.

This is your voice, your vote, your future.

CONTACT US

The YWCA has provided opportunities, programs, and support that is specific to my needs.

Anna Austin

I’ve never been to an organization that is more accommodating and friendlier than the YWCA of High Point.

Debora Karsetter

Good swimming, good fitness, good friends.

Paul Zejda

It’s convenient, has a great atmosphere, and a great selection of programs for the amount of pay.

Thomas Reid

The YWCA is that place that is like a third home to me. The people are super friendly, super welcoming, and super caring. That is what really makes the YWCA a place I love to be.

Michelle Chapin

Everyone I’ve come in contact with at the YWCA is genuinely nice and helpful. They are attentive to my needs and I always feel comfortable at the YWCA.

Marion Cobb

Along with the calm and pleasant atmosphere, the YWCA’s fitness programs that are offered have improved my overall health.

Barbara Phillips

I only have the highest things to say about the YWCA. The facilities and programs have met the specific needs of my wife and I and the people know us by name. Overall, it has been a great fit for us.

Elva and John Mays

The YWCA is convenient for me and my schedule. They are always consistent in their programs and always hospitable.

Teresa Owens

I appreciate the reliability and availability of their programs and amenities.

Kay Maynard