YWCA Greater Los Angeles Area - Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women

Our History

Since 1894, the YWCA Greater Los Angeles has strengthened the safety, health and well being of women and their families. Over its history the YWCA has offered innovative programs and services to meet the changing needs of women and their families in the Los Angeles community.

The YWCA Greater Los Angeles was incorporated in 1894. The international Institute to work with foreign born women was established. Soon after, the Mary Andrews Clark Memorial Residence was built. In the roaring twenties, the Magnolia Residence served as a dormitory for young Japanese women.

While the country and communities were answering to war, the YWCA remained focused on assisting women and girls. During this period, the Watts Program Center on 103rd Street and the North Valley Center in San Fernando were established.

In 1953, the Compton Center was established, with services offered to teens in the Willowbrook area. In the late 1950s, the Transient Hotel for women began its operation. In 1965, the Los Angeles Job Corps Center opened. The late 60s marked the establishment of the East Los Angeles and the Angeles Mesa Centers.

The YWCA USA Convention adopts the ONE IMPERATIVE: "To Eliminate Racism Wherever It Exists and By Any Means Necessary". During this period, the YWCA received funding for the Women's Career Development project to train disadvantaged Hispanic women for employment and opened the Infant Learning Center at San Fernando High School. In the 70s, the Job Corps program grew and expanded to the Hollywood Studio Club. In the early 80s, the YWCA began Child Development Latchkey services in 13 elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. In 1985, the Compton Center began serving women who were survivors of sexual assault.

The Compton Program Location building was purchased in 1993. The next year, the YWCA Greater Los Angeles celebrated 100 years of service to the LA Community. In 1995, YWCA/GLA reached out to our international sisters of YWCA Samoa and hosted their delegation. La Posada Child Development Center opened in urban Los Angeles in collaboration with NEW (New Economics for Women). In 1996, through the Advocacy program, the YWCA took a public stand for "NO Against Proposition 209". YWCA became the lead agency for LA Bridges After School Program at John Muir Middle School in 1998.

In 2000, the YWCA was awarded an additional five year contract to operate LA Job Corps for the Department of Labor. The Urban Campus Project was initiated to include housing, health/medical services, a charter high school and vocational services for the Los Angeles Job Corps. Society of Benefactrix was launched to support the YWCA's philosophy and programs. First Week Without Violence Youth Summit held at USC. TechGYRLS Computer Labs were established. First Benefactrix Ball held at the Hollywood Palladium. Unveiling of the Society of Benefactrix bracelet at Tiffany's occurred. The YWCA was awarded an LAUSD grant to conduct afterschool programs. First Mother/Daughter Economic Literacy Retreat entitled "Girls, Women $ Power" took place. YWCA sold Case Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The YWCA/USA PepsiCo Girls Leadership Summit was held for 200 girls. In 2003, the Union Pacific Child Development Center in East LA opened. In 2005, the first Annual 3-D youth Racial Justice Retreat (Determination, Dedication and Diversity) was held.

2006 marked the beginning of the Union Pacific Family Center Project. Construction of this project commenced in September 2008 with a tentative completion date of October 2009. First "Jeans 4 Justice" event held for YWCA/GLA Sexual Assault Crisis Services celebrating the program's 20 years of service. In partnership with Washington Mutual and KaBoom, YWCA Compton Child Development constructed a new playground. First annual "From Survivor to Thriver" and "We Step Into the Light" art exibit celebrated the beauty and strength of women who have overcome the trauma of sexual violence.