Grant awarded to YWCA Central Carolinas

The Foundation is pleased to again support the YWCA Central Carolina’s Women in Transition program.

YWCA Central Carolinas has been an important part of the Charlotte community since 1902, investing in the lives of women, children and families and working toward racial justice for all.  Women In Transition (WIT) s the primary comprehensive transitional housing program in the greater Charlotte area serving single women who have suffered homelessness. They can house up to 66 women at a time on their Park Road campus, where participants receive case management services, have access to their fitness center, educational workshops and social activities. Women can participate for up to 18 months while they gain the skills and resources necessary to attain and maintain permanent long-term housing. Last year, 83% of women who participated for four months or longer exited the program into permanent housing, successfully moving from a situation of instability to one of security.

WIT served a total of 107 women last year. Eligible participants earn less than 50% of area median income and have suffered homelessness. Last year roughly 72% of participants were African American 24% Caucasian, 2% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 1% Asian or Hispanic/Latino and their ages ranged from 18 to 74 years in age. From a studied conducted by UC Berkeley/Harvard, Charlotte ranked dead last (50th out of 50) among major cities in terms of economic stability. This means if you born to a low-income family in Charlotte, your chances of escaping poverty are less likely in Charlotte than any other major city in America. WIT specifically works to lessen this probability and gives women a chance obtain permanent housing and jobs.