Community Engagement Programs

Dorothy Height Social Justice CLub

Dorothy Height was a leader in addressing the rights of both women and African Americans as the president of the National Council of Negro Women. One of Height’s major accomplishments was at the YWCA USA where she directed the integration of all of its centers in 1946 and established its Center for Racial Justice in 1965. Join our interactive, insightful social justice club with a focus on diverse, thought-provoking media, writings and subjects.

Equity Profile Action Team

Join us and be part of the efforts to raise awareness, build community connection, and move leaders to action on the Equity Profile of Lancaster County!

Action group meet-ups will be held the third Thursday of each month from 6-7:30pm at YWCA Lancaster (110 N Lime St. Lancaster PA)

Unite to Heal

YWCAs of Greater Pittsburgh, Tri-County Area, York, and Lancaster are partnering on an initiative to engage our respective communities in acts of racial healing. We define racial healing as the process by which the acknowledgement of past wrongs is necessary, as well as the recognition of the lasting effects racial trauma has had on us as individuals, within our institutions and communities. 

Lancaster Votes

YWCA Lancaster has been advocating for voter registration and education since before women had the right to vote. The right to vote is and to register to vote is an activity that has cost lives and livelihoods of countless activists and leaders throughout American history, and we are proud to continue this work today.

 Lancaster Votes is a non-partisan effort to increase voter registration and participation in Lancaster County in celebration of the 15th Amendment, 19th Amendment, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Black Artist Waystation

The Black Artist Waystation is a vehicle for artists of many mediums, including but not limited to, painting, sculpture, design, literature, music, theater, and multidisciplinary arts. Participants in the Black Artist WayStation will join our waystation of artist in Lancaster, receive a grant of $2,500, and be able to leverage our network of opportunities.

Participants will receive mentorship from other artists, and present their work to the community. Black artists have been a major foundation in liberation movements and historians of culture in their communities. Recipients will showcase art on February 24th at Black Artist WayStation celebration. YWCA Lancaster hopes to continue, support, and inspire the next generation of Black artists. We encourage makers of all art forms and of all skill levels to apply!

Race Against Racism

Join with your community to name the need, unite with your friends, neighbors and coworkers, and create change. A 5K race cannot end racism but naming the need is vital, and every step we take together makes a difference. We will keep running until injustice is rooted out; institutions are transformed, and the world sees women, girls and people of color the way we do: Equal, Powerful, Unstoppable.