YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley

Focus: Women and Girl Programs

Director: Ayana Rose, Program Director

Schools Served: Blair IB, John Muir High School, Washington Middle School, Willard Elementary School, as well as, a middle school group and a high school group held at the YWCA-Pasadena.

School District: Pasadena Unified School District

County: USA

Schedule: Monday through Friday.

Ages: 12-18

Setting: Our after school programs are held on site at the YWCA - Pasadena and off site at the schools.

History: The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley is dedicated to empowering women and girls and eliminating racism. Established in 1905 as an advocate for young women beginning to enter the workforce, the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley has since been a pioneering voice in its fight for racial, economic, and gender equality. From its pre-1920 racial integration plan to the early 1970s founding of the nation’s first Big Sister program and the area’s first rape hotline, the YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley has long been on the cutting edge of responding to the needs of women and continuing the mission of the YWCA USA established over 150 years ago. The Young Women's Christian Association was formed in 1855 in London by Emma Roberts and Mrs. Arthur Kinnaird. Three years later the YWCA movement was introduced to the United States and quickly spread across the nation to local chapters dedicated to the empowerment of women and improving race relations. The YWCA USA now has more than 25 million members in 122 countries, including 2.6 million members and participants in 300 local associations in the United States, with regional leadership and a national office in Washington D.C., that work together to strengthen our voices in the nation’s capital and in state and local governments. Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA USA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership, and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people. The YWCA Pasadena – Foothill Valley serves 650 residents annually in the California communities of Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, LaCanada-Flintridge, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena. We place special emphasis on working with low-income communities, women, youth, and minorities through our programs and activities.

Program Highlights: The YWCA provides a caring, supportive, safe and fun environment that encourages girls to share, grow and learn about themselves and the world in which they live. The Just for Girls curriculum includes, but is not limited to: a) Positive self image building. b) Communication skills and interpersonal dynamics. c) Identification of life skills necessary for personal growth and development. d) Introduction to educational and career opportunities. e) Leadership skills and development. f) Field trips. g) Community service projects. In order to fully benefit from the above curriculum, a requirement is that the girls meet consistently on the same day, at a set time. With the help and guidance of trusted program staff who lead the groups weekly, the girls build confidence and self-respect, scholastic abilities, and social skills. The groups have low teacher to student ratios and thus get a great deal of individualized attention, as well as, learn from a healthy peer support network.

Program Information:

The YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley “Just for Girls” program continues to provide a consistent positive presence in the lives of girls. For 10 years this after-school program has fostered the growth of young women, while encouraging them to focus on becoming strong in mind, body and spirit. Taking place throughout the school year on Pasadena Unified School District campuses and at the YWCA, under the guidance of a trained mentor, this program gives its participants a place to dream big. The girls explore ideas, develop relationships, self-confidence, and build new skills. The setting in which the program operates ensures a safe space to talk about issues as they relate to violence, body image, peer pressure, and sex education. Just for Girls strives to empower girls so they can make good choices and achieve success in education in order to attain economic independence and live a healthy, productive, and rewarding lifestyle.

The Just for Girls program is confident that girls can be empowered to achieve important, beneficial and great things in the future. The program teaches they are bursting with possibility, and helps develop the protective factors that will increase success at home, in school, and in the community.