Increasing numbers of women and children in Missoula are experiencing or witnessing violence in their homes. Hundreds of individuals and families are also living in inadequate or substandard housing, while some have no homes at all. YWCA Missoula believes that everyone has the right to a life free of violence and that every person is entitled to safe and decent housing. We are determined to create a community where all people, regardless of gender or race, have opportunities for growth, leadership and power.
This year, YWCA Missoula celebrates 100 years responding to the emerging issues facing women in the community. It is through this rich history filled with compassion and dedication to families in Missoula that we are able to continue our mission eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people in our community.
Recent News
We're Hiring: Planet Kids Visit Monitor & Secret Seconds Store Clerk
YWCA Missoula is seeking a Part-Time Visitation Monitor for Planet Kids, our supervised visitation and exchange center. We are also seeking a Part-Time Store Clerk for our Secret Seconds Thrift Stores.
Violence Against Women Act passes Senate after heated rhetoric
By David Grant, Staff writer / April 26, 2012
The Christian Science Monitor
A new version of the Violence Against Women Act, the legislation that Democrats used as a backdrop to accuse Republicans of waging a "war on women," passed the Senate Thursday afternoon 68 to 31.
Fifteen Republicans joined every Democrat in voting for the measure. The passage reauthorizes a wide variety of services for abused women and men for five years.
"This violence must end," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) of Minnesota, one of the bill's main champions, on the Senate floor Thursday. "And so we all know that we can no longer stand and say it is someone else's problem. We can't let our own differences, minor that they may be on various provisions, get in the way."
The House is expected to vote on VAWA, as the law is known, next month. Republicans in that chamber are drafting their own version.
Traditionally, VAWA generated nary a bit of partisan sniping. This year, however, Republican concerns over a handful of new provisions in the Senate legislation gave Democrats an opening to slam their GOP colleagues for standing in the bill's way.
April 24: World YWCA Day
Happy World YWCA DAY!
The YWCA is the largest women’s organization in the world, incorporating 125 countries and uniting more than 25 million women. The World YWCA works from a human-rights approach in delivering its mission to develop the leadership and collective power of women and girls around the world in achieving justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and a sustainable environment for all people.
World YWCA Day is celebrated annually on April 24 and is an opportunity for YWCAs around the world to commemorate the history of this special movement. Since 1947, World YWCA Day has been celebrated annually with a theme and program that enables members to act locally in relation to the theme for the year.
In her first public message as president of World YWCA, Deborah Thomas-Austin challenged reflection on the 2012 World YWCA Day theme, "I am a woman and I have the right."
Federal harassment complaint filed against University of Montana, football players
By GWEN FLORIO of the Missoulian | Posted: Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:00 am
MISSOULA -- The federal Department of Education is evaluating a complaint alleging harassment by members of the University of Montana Grizzlies football team.
“I was told they would be ‘trained,’ ” the person who filed the complaint wrote. “Now we have rapes, gang rapes, cover ups.”
The Missoulian received a heavily redacted copy of the complaint from the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights this week after filing a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
“The documents are contained in the investigatory files of an open case regarding alleged violations of civil rights statutes,” the agency wrote the Missoulian.
The complaint names the University of Montana, the Grizzlies football team, UM President Royce Engstrom, former President George Dennison, as well as an athletic director and football coach. The last two names are redacted, as is the name of the complainant.
Sen. Tester Visits With YWCA Staff, Volunteers
Affordable childcare and access to education for women are the two priorities Sen. Tester touted on a recent visit to YWCA Missoula.
On Friday, April 13, the Senator spent over an hour with YWCA staff and volunteers learning about our comprehensive services and the key issues facing women in 2012.
Executive Director Cindy Weese discussed all five of the YWCA's programs for women and families and the challenges we face as an organization, including cutbacks in HUD funding.
Elizabeth Harrison, communications and development associate, pointed out pressing issues of concern to women such as affordable healthcare, fair wages and reproductive rights.
Tester pointed out the importance of making education accessible to all women in order to create more opportunities for success. He also noted that women are in need of affordable childcare and more job opportunities offering competitive wages.
The Senator urged staff and volunteers to keep in touch with elected officials, not only in Montana but other states - "Make sure they know what you're doing."
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