Upcoming Events
Holiday Toy Drive
Spread holiday cheer! We’re collecting unwrapped toys (ages 1–18), wrapping paper, new or gently used coats and new school supplies + you can donate money or volunteer your time to help wrap gifts and spread the joy! 🧡
Career Coaching
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Rooted in Rest: A Candlelight Yoga & Sound Journey
As autumn invites us to release and return inward, join us for an evening of slowing down in community. Join Shirley Johnson, certified yoga teacher & licensed psychotherapist, under the soft glow of candlelight. This gentle yoga and sound bath experience will guide you into deep rest and renewal. Allow the slowing rhythm of the season to remind your body how to soften, surrender, and release.
Join Shirley Johnson – LMFT, herbalist, yoga teacher, and sound healer – for 60 minutes of gentle, accessible movement, plant meditation, sound healing, and tea. We’ll begin promptly at 6:00 PM and close with an optional 15-minute conversation space for those who’d like to stay
What to Expect:
Gentle Yoga: Slow, soothing postures to unwind tension and ground into the body.
Guided Breath Meditation: Simple breathing practices to quiet the mind and balance the nervous system.
Sound Bath: Immersive tones of crystal bowls and gong to support deep relaxation and energetic rejuvenation.
This class is designed for all levels—no prior experience needed. Come as you are, ready to exhale, restore, and settle into the nurturing embrace of autumn’s calm.
Please bring your own yoga mat and eye mask, and any yoga props you prefer. Dress warm in layers.
Healthy Relationships
This six session series will focus on examining the characteristics of healthy relationships. Each week will offer in depth discussion on a different characteristic. Meetings will be at 10:30AM -12:00PM each Thursday with a new topic of discussion:
- Nov 20th, 2025: Mutual respect and trust
- No meeting in December as we recharge for the new year
- Jan 22nd, 2026: Honesty, equity and consent
- Feb 19th, 2026: Compromise, interdependence and quality time
- Mar 19th, 2026: Safety: emotional, psychological and physical
- Apr 23rd, 2026: Reflective listening and emotional self regulation
- May 21st, 2026: Effective communication and conflict resolution
Come join us for light refreshments and engaging conversation on how to have healthier relationships in your life - romantic, friendship and family.
Turkey Food Pantry
Are you a student in the East Bay? Are you an international resident or student studying here this year? Are you a community member in the East Bay who would benefit from food assistance?
We’re excited to invite you to our YWCA Persimmon Turkey Food Pantry Distribution Day!
We’ll have fresh produce, meat, eggs, milk, and more—free of charge to support our community. Supplies are limited and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to come early with your grocery bag(s)!
If you are concerned about scheduling and receiving your food, please reach out to isalinas@ywca-berkeley.org to reserve your order ahead of time.
Distribution Day Details:
📅 Date: Thursday November 20th and Friday November 21st
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM (while supplies last)
📍 Location: YWCA Berkeley/Oakland – 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA
🥕 What’s available: Fresh produce, dairy, meat, full sized frozen Turkey , eggs, and pantry staples
❓ Questions: Call(510) 848-6370 or Email: isalinas@ywca-berkeley.org
Afro Dance Classes
Afro Dance with Karma is a one-hour weekly dance class experience that features a variety of dance styles. This class incorporates the genres of dance Karma has studied throughout her career including but not limited to Afrobeats, West African, Afro-Brazilian, Samba, Congolese, Bachata and more. Each class starts with a warm up and ends with a cool down. This class will give you a workout while having a lot of fun dancing to music of the African diaspora.
This class is designed for all levels—no prior experience needed.
Turkey Food Pantry
Are you a student in the East Bay? Are you an international resident or student studying here this year? Are you a community member in the East Bay who would benefit from food assistance?
We’re excited to invite you to our YWCA Persimmon Turkey Food Pantry Distribution Day!
We’ll have fresh produce, meat, eggs, milk, and more—free of charge to support our community. Supplies are limited and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to come early with your grocery bag(s)!
If you are concerned about scheduling and receiving your food, please reach out to isalinas@ywca-berkeley.org to reserve your order ahead of time.
Distribution Day Details:
📅 Date: Thursday November 20th and Friday November 21st
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM (while supplies last)
📍 Location: YWCA Berkeley/Oakland – 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA
🥕 What’s available: Fresh produce, dairy, meat, full sized frozen Turkey , eggs, and pantry staples
❓ Questions: Call(510) 848-6370 or Email: isalinas@ywca-berkeley.org
Career Coaching
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Afro Dance Classes
Afro Dance with Karma is a one-hour weekly dance class experience that features a variety of dance styles. This class incorporates the genres of dance Karma has studied throughout her career including but not limited to Afrobeats, West African, Afro-Brazilian, Samba, Congolese, Bachata and more. Each class starts with a warm up and ends with a cool down. This class will give you a workout while having a lot of fun dancing to music of the African diaspora.
This class is designed for all levels—no prior experience needed.
Afro Dance Classes
Afro Dance with Karma is a one-hour weekly dance class experience that features a variety of dance styles. This class incorporates the genres of dance Karma has studied throughout her career including but not limited to Afrobeats, West African, Afro-Brazilian, Samba, Congolese, Bachata and more. Each class starts with a warm up and ends with a cool down. This class will give you a workout while having a lot of fun dancing to music of the African diaspora.
This class is designed for all levels—no prior experience needed.
Managing Your Money Wisely
Join us for our upcoming financial workshop with La Juana Jacko at Beyond Emancipation. Discover effective ways to save money, take control of your finances, budget, and make your money work for you. Learn how to build healthy financial habits that can boost your confidence in your financial future.
Career Coaching
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Healing Circle
A healing circle for post-voting, where aromatherapy and yoga will be provided. A collaboration with Mixed@Berkeley and in partnership with YWCA staff, Monica Lessare, PsyD and Ameeta Singh, LMFT.
Afro Dance Classes
Afro Dance with Karma is a one-hour weekly dance class experience that features a variety of dance styles. This class incorporates the genres of dance Karma has studied throughout her career including but not limited to Afrobeats, West African, Afro-Brazilian, Samba, Congolese, Bachata and more. Each class starts with a warm up and ends with a cool down. This class will give you a workout while having a lot of fun dancing to music of the African diaspora.
This class is designed for all levels—no prior experience needed.
Nervous System Reset
Join us for an afternoon of self-care, wellness, and learning how to reset your nervous system, led by Kamailia Williams, LMFT. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Level Up: College Edition
Mama said there'd be days like this...adjusting to college is no joke! Calling all first year/first time college students and high school seniors aged 18+! Come join Cal student peers Zach and Aiden to talk about college life topics and make friends. This is a series of multiple sessions throughout November to help talk about transitioning to college life in the Bay.
Virtual Event: Rituals of Care
Join us for a virtual journey of exploration and attention to self-development, self-care and self-healing. In this experiential program, we will explore how intentional space design and self-care rituals can inspire and motivate personal growth, restoring well-being.
Career Coaching: Make Your Career Comeback
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Create Your Personal Brand for your Job Search
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Financial Literacy Workshop: Dream it. Visualize it. Have it.
Join Deyci and Vanessa for a creative and reflective financial literacy workshop that invites you to visualize the life you want through an abundance mindset. In this session, you’ll have the chance to dream boldly, put your vision on paper through creative expression and speak it into reality. This is more than just a workshop, it’s a step toward building the financial future you deserve.
YWCA Berkeley/Oakland Polling Center
We’re excited to launch our national Get Out The Vote Initiative — a powerful, community-driven campaign focused on empowering women and gender-expansive individuals to make their voices heard in the 2025 general election.
Our goal is to break down barriers to participation, ensure equitable access to voting, and mobilize communities to engage in this process.
Whether it’s your first time voting or your tenth, your voice matters — and together, we can shape a more inclusive and representative future.
From educational resources to in-person and virtual events, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Come vote with us — because every voice counts, and every vote builds power.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor: Exploring New Models of Healthcare and Wellness
Featuring Dr. Kim Rhoads, MD, MS, MPH - founder of Umoja Health, a nationally recognized leader in health equity, advocacy and cancer-disparities work.
Join us for a discussion about neighbor-to-neighbor community care, modern ways of healthcare, prevention and advocacy, with practical guidance navigating care and community resources for women in the Bay Area.
What Do Healthy Relationships Look Like?
A part of Week Without Violence. Chat with our Mental Health Director about what it means to have a healthy relationship.
Career Coaching: Find Your Career Niche in Today’s Workplace
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Career Coaching: Turn Your Career Dreams into Reality
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Afternoon Tea at the YWCA
We invite women 60 and older to join us for a special afternoon tea designed to create space for connection, reflection and meaningful conversation about aging in the Bay Area.
Enjoy pastries, tea and good company while we come together to share stories on aging gracefully and how we are navigating aging in our current times.
Week Without Violence
Join us as part of the YWCA movement’s annual Week Without Violence, an opportunity to come together and advocate for a safer world for women, girls and families. Follow us on social media throughout the week to connect with us and access daily resources, tools and actions you can take to make a difference.
Persimmon Food Pantry Drive
In response to the growing community needs, we are having a food pantry drive event to support local families and individuals facing food insecurity. The program is open to all - participants must sign up in advance to reserve a spot while supplies last.
Persimmon Food Pantry Drive
In response to the growing community needs, we are having a food pantry drive event to support local families and individuals facing food insecurity. The program is open to all - participants must sign up in advance to reserve a spot while supplies last.
Career Coaching: 10 Steps to a Successful Career Transition
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Salsa and Bachata Fundraiser Night
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us at Salsa & Bachata Fundraiser Night. The evening kicks off with a fun and beginner-friendly 30-minute dance class, where you’ll learn the basics of salsa and bachata. Afterward, the dance floor opens for everyone to enjoy, connect, and celebrate together through music, movement and community.
Come ready to dance, celebrate heritage and experience the joy of Latin rhythms!
Financial Literacy Workshop
Join us for an empowering workshop on the fundamentals of financial literacy. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to strengthen your money skills, this session will help you build a strong foundation. We’ll cover the basics: how to save effectively, how to understand and manage your finances and how to make informed choices that support your goals. Feel confident about your financial future!
Career Coaching: Find Employers That Need You: Your Proactive Job Search
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Email career@ywca-berkeley.org to RSVP. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Career Coaching: Where Can Your College Degree(s) Take You
Small Personalized Coaching Workshops: Facilitator Claire Marchiano, Certified Career Counselor & Job Search Professional. All workshops held at Berkeley- Oakland YWCA 2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.
Career Coaching: No College Degree - No Problem
You have more to offer than you think. In this empowering workshop, you’ll list and evaluate your skills, explore new job possibilities, and identify potential employers. Tackle your challenges with a solid plan, practice your personal pitch, and discover fresh strategies and resources. Build your network—and your confidence—as you commit to taking the next step toward success.
Moving Through Anxiety: Somatic Tools to Reset Your Nervous System
Join us for an afternoon of self-care led by Kamailia Williams, LMFT. Through her integrative approach she will help you reconnect with your authentic self by blending somatic therapy, expressive arts (movement, dance, music), and elements of cognitive and spiritual healing. Come as you are, and give yourself this time to learn to reset your nervous system. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. This event is being offered as a part of our Wellness programming.
Bloom From Within With Shirley Johnson
Join us in a relaxing 90 minutes of breathwork, sound healing and gentle movement. This is a space to slow down, connect and care for yourself. Come as you are, enjoy free snacks and refreshments and reconnect with yourself.
This event is being offered as a part of our Wellness programming.
Career Coaching: Applying Your International Experience Here
Turn your global background into a career asset! In this workshop, you’ll name your skills, assess your unique strengths, and recognize the value of your international experience. Discover where your background can take you, who needs what you offer, and how to fill any skill gaps along the way. Explore new paths and leave with fresh ideas for putting your global expertise to work.
Career Coaching: Get The Job You Want
Take charge of your career in this action-focused workshop. Assess your options, rediscover your strengths, and clarify your goals and timeline. You’ll explore the risks and rewards of change, learn how to build on your past experiences, and tap into the power of planned happenstance. Walk away ready to commit—and take the next step toward the job you want now.