YWCA West Central Michigan
Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, we transform lives with expert services for victims, education to end those things that fuel abuse, and public policy that translates our mission into law.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Domestic and sexual violence are at epidemic levels. Law enforcement agencies within Kent County each year report more than 1,000 cases of sexual abuse of children. A 2011 report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) underscores the scope of the problem. One in four women has suffered severe physcial violence by an intimate partner. Nearly 1 in 5 women has been raped at some time in her life, almost half as teenagers. More than 25 percent of men who were raped were attacked when they were younger than 11 years old. Yet, the vulnerability experienced by individuals with disabilities is especially startling. Children with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be victimized. CDC researchers found that 12 percent of adults with a disability were victims of sexual assault; an additional 13 percent were victims of attempted assault.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Services for Domestic and Dating Abuse, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Child Sexual Abuse
* 24-Hour Confidential Hotline
* Domestic Abuse Emergency Shelter
* Domestic Abuse Transitional Housing
* Nurse Examiner Program (medical-forensic exams for child and adult victims of sexual assault; for adult victims of domestic violence)
* Therapy, Counseling and Support Groups (with additional specializations for LGBTQ+ and individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities)
* Domestic Abuse Assailants Counseling
* Advocacy Resource Services (Safety planning and developing safe exit strategies, legal help, crisis services for friends and family of victims, and individual supports such as education, resources, help with law enforcement, and more)
* Safe Connections (Supervised Parenting Time and Safe Child Exchange)
* Childcare for clients on-site and in emergency shelter
Prevention and Empowerment Services
The YWCA's Prevention and Empowerment Services seeks to provide individuals and the community with evidenced based approaches to prevent domestic abuse and sexual assault. This is accomplished through providing individual youth with curriculum that empowers them to make informed decisions about their lives, relationships, and communities; empowering young women to see themselves as leaders in creating change; engaging with community systems that have the power to create change; hosting community awareness events and initiatives; and working to examine and promote policies and legislation that aim to prevent violence before it occurs.
Where we work
Accreditations
Council on Accreditation (COA) [for Children and Family Services] - Accreditation 1999
Council on Accreditation (COA) 2002
Council on Accreditation (COA) 2005
Council on Accreditation (COA) 2008
Council on Accreditation (COA) 2011
Council on Accreditation (COA) 2014
Council on Accreditation (COA) 2017
Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity 2014
Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity 2016
Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity 2018
Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity 2019
Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity 2020
Awards
First Agency Partner of the Year Award Recipient 2014
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Full Partner 2014
Partners for a Racism Free Community
first-ever domestic and sexual violence service provider in Michigan to fully meet 100 percent of the state’s core and best practice standards 2014
Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Treatment Board
Torch Awards for Ethics 2016
BBB
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The YWCA West Central Michigan has been a place of hope, healing, and renewal for more than 100 years. We believe that economically, socially, and politically empowering everyone requires the elimination of racism and an equal, just, and sustainable society.
We realize our mission by addressing the public health issues surrounding domestic abuse and sexual violence. We envision a community that embraces diversity, creates a safe and empowering environment for all women and children, and celebrates peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people. The YWCA West Central Michigan will be a leader in building and sustaining that community, working to empower women and girls by eliminating racism, confronting the issues of relationship abuse and sexual violence, and addressing social, political, and economic inequities.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The YWCA’s approach to improving performance involves multiple community partners and disciplines in establishing the plans, processes and mechanisms that comprise performance and quality improvement activities.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
With culturally competent staff, more than a century of work to benefit women, over forty years addressing issues of violence against women and children, and our community's deepest level of expertise and experience in these areas, the YWCA has the capacity and ability to do this work.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Annual reports for the YWCA West Central Michigan are located at ywcawcmi.org/who-we-are/performance/
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
YWCA West Central Michigan
Board of directorsas of 6/15/2021
India Manns
Doug Wilterdink
DWH, LLC
Lonna Wiersma
Mercantile Bank
Meg Hackett
Thrun Law Firm P.C.
India Manns
Community Volunteer
Julia Guevara
Grand Valley State University
Peggy Bishop
Beene Garter LLP
Cindy Rogowski
Meijer
Jessie Jones
Spectrum Health
Sara Hendrix
BDO
Lauren Davis
TCF Bank
Kelley Root
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Michelle LaJoye-Young
Kent County Sheriff's Office
Lisa Kreager
Crowe
Veronica Bradford
Gordon Food Service
Lisa Knight
DV Apple Logistics
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data