Our Community

We serve a diverse community of women, girls, gender-expansive individuals, youth, families, immigrants and historically marginalized populations throughout Berkeley, Oakland and the greater East Bay.

Community Snapshot

  • Engagement

    Over the past three years we have more than tripled the number of community members engaged in YWCA programming. We have benefitted from the support of volunteers and interns who help strengthen and expand our impact in our community – 97% of them are female-identifying individuals and 60% of them are transitional-aged youth.

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    Geographic Reach

    We serve people from across the Bay Area including Berkeley, Oakland, other cities in Alameda County, Contra Costa County and beyond.

  • Individuals Served

    Of those served, 64% of YWCA participants identify as female identifying or non-binary, 79% of YWCA participants are BIPOC and 90% report a household income under the federal poverty line or are considered low-income.

  • "I can't believe these spaces are being offered and that [so many] people do not know about this. I was dealing with a lot of stress and migraines, and after I left the appointment, I felt grounded and relaxed. I'm thankful that there are programs out here that offer these sessions—I am literally thankful."

    — Wellness Program Attendee

  • "Being in community helped ease feelings of isolation and reminded me that I am not alone during this really difficult time.”

    — Mental Health Participant

  • “The YWCA has played a major role in my development and growth by pushing me to step outside of my comfort zone and build skills I didn’t expect to strengthen. One of the biggest areas of growth for me has been public speaking... Overall, these experiences helped me grow not only professionally but also personally, as I became more confident, adaptable, and comfortable engaging with diverse communities.”

    — Former YWCA Berkeley/Oakland Intern

  • “I am very passionate about advocacy and healing as a woman of color. This organization and program were successful in helping me learn about myself, both my faults and feats which I know will be valuable for those around me.”

    — Participant from the Healthy Relationships Workshop

  • “Thank you so much for making my time as an advocacy intern so memorable, meaningful, and full of growth. I truly appreciate all of the support, guidance, and experiences I’ve gained during my time here. This internship has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the team. I would genuinely be excited to return and continue contributing to the work you all do.”

    — Former Advocacy Intern

UPCOMING EXPERIENCES

Join the Community

We welcome you to a comfortable, safe, and accessible space designed to reduce isolation and build a representative community. With a focus on growth and empowerment, we're here to empower you to thrive, not just survive.