The YWCA Christchurch Established in 1883
- is about the well being of COMMUNITIES
- aims to facilitate and encourage women’s personal safety, positive
- motivation skills and leadership opportunities in these communities
- is proactive in working with young women encouraging of their education and development opportunities, personal and sexual safety and the positive motivation to work for the well being of their communities.
The Christchurch YWCA, because it is affiliated through the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand to the World YWCA, is a small part of a global women’s volunteer movement working with more than 25 million women and girls in over 122 countries.
The purpose of the World YWCA is to develop the leadership and collective impact of women and girls around the world to achieve human rights, health, security, dignity, freedom, justice and peace for all people. Local programmes chosen by the community reflect this overall purpose.
Current YWCA Christchurch Inc programmes and projects are –
- Education and Training in foundation skills for life, work and study for young women 15-18 years of age and others of all ages……who are, or are at risk of becoming, long term unemployed – 260 Cashel Street.
- Safe Supported accommodation Night Shelter for emergencies and short-term accommodation for women on low incomes seeking active intervention or support to make changes in their circumstances – 285 Hereford St.
- Neighbourhood kitchen delivering each day mid-day nutritious meals to 100 elderly or sick people in their homes – 10 Berwick St. St Albans
- A “Special Women’s Health” stage one of which is being determined by pacific island YWCA Regional Meeting an the startling revelations from women in the Pacific of the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Pacific region of which we are also a part – women and specially young women are vulnerable because of the denial and silence about this approaching threat.
- The establishment of a widespread Donor Supporters Group – to be called the 1883 Group.
Based on Christian values, but open to women of all faiths, based in local communities but linked nationally, regionally and globally the World YWCA, of which we are a part, is uniquely placed to reach women and girls across the world.
YWCA’s have a programmatic priority for youth (children, girls and young women), which helps ensure that younger members of society are included in decision-making and planning. The YWCA programmes promote a philosophy that teaches change and transformation through organized networks working together within the non-profit and volunteer structures.
