Our Programs ↘
Girls Group Mentoring Program ↘
Our Girls Group Mentoring Program (GGMP) hosts workshops for BIPOC and low-income girls*. We work with middle school girls to empower them and educate them about the value of setting boundaries, how to create healthy relationships, and domestic violence awareness. Girls learn how to navigate upcoming challenges in their life, including recognizing early signs of domestic violence and how to avoid it. At this critical time of their lives, girls are also able to learn about and discuss women’s health issues: menstruation, reproductive rights, breast health and even an early introduction to menopause.
Personalized Career Coaching ↘
Whether starting a new career or looking to advance in a current one, career coaching helps participants hone in on the role that’s most fulfilling for them — and provides the resources and guidance to pursue that role. Weekly workshops and personalized 1:1 counseling are available to both YWCA members and non-members if you are interested please fill out this form. Members receive one free 30-minute counseling session, and workshops are available for as little as $10 with scholarships available for those who qualify. To find out more about the current workshop schedule please visit our events page, (most of the workshops are scheduled for Thursday). To book a session with Claire Marchiano, our NBCC Certified Career Counselor, please email us here. You can also learn more about Claire at this site.
Moving Ahead↘
The Moving Ahead program serves survivors of domestic violence who are currently living in a shelter or newly removed from a violent home. To help these survivors gain and maintain independence, the program includes foundational financial basics: saving, budgeting, establishing credit, and banking options. Identifiers of financial abuse are also included, all in service of laying out the steps to financial independence and long-term safety. If you are interested in participating in our Moving Ahead workshops, click here, you can also reach out to movingahead@ywca-berkeley.org for partnerships or to learn more!
Tech Lab Workforce Development ↘
This course provides instruction in three programming languages: HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. In addition to the technical skills, participants learn critical soft skills to help them secure a job and succeed in a new career. The program is tailored to women, BIPOC learners, and other identities underrepresented in the tech industry.
English in Action ↘
As part of a national volunteer effort, YWCA volunteers meet with students, visiting scholars and their partners, students from adult schools and local community colleges, and members of the community. Each 1:1 session is focused on improving competency and fluency in the English language, with an exchange of culture built into the casual conversations. To sign up to be an EIA volunteer, click here. To sign up to practice English with a volunteer, click here.
STRIVE/STRIVE Teen ↘
This unique workforce development program provides career-building skills for distinct cohorts: BIPOC and low-income teens, formerly incarcerated adults, domestic violence survivors, and immigrants. Resources and guidance include resumé preparation, cover letter guidance, mock interviews, professionalism, conflict resolution, and other critical soft skills. Each cohort is provided with the guidance most relevant and accessible to them, ensuring success for all participants.
Teen Financial Literacy ↘
High school teens learn financial basics that can set them up for life: budgeting, banking, saving for college, establishing credit and more. The workshops are held at schools in low-income areas in Oakland and Berkeley to help teens take the first step towards financial independence. If you are interested in our Youth Financial Literacy workshops, reach out to financialliteracy@ywca-berkeley.org to learn more!
Digital Literacy ↘
This hands-on training was created after the pandemic drove many critical services and interactions online — often out of reach for those who aren’t digital natives. This program empowers the local elder population to utilize digital tools necessary for daily life. Participants master smartphone functions, internet browser use, messaging platforms, camera functions, photo storage, and much more. If you are interested in participating in our Digital Literacy workshops, click here, you can also reach out to digitalliteracy@ywca-berkeley.org for partnerships or to learn more!
