YWCA Lancaster Announces Merger with SafeHouse Lancaster

Lancaster, Pa. (June 28, 2021) YWCA Lancaster is excited to welcome the programs of SafeHouse Lancaster as a merger with the agency and the Center for Racial and Gender Equity.  SafeHouse Lancaster’s mission is to educate and equip young black and brown people for activism work and be a resource for training and accountability for local ally owned businesses and organizations, goals that align well with the YWCA Lancaster mission. The relationship between the organizations has been growing with SafeHouse’s participation as panelists for YWCA Lancaster’s virtual programs; Community Now and Listen, Learn & Lead as well as co-hosted sexual assault prevention trainings for the community.SafeHouse Lancaster had several successes in the last year including on the ground support during protests, the development of Anti-Racist Businesses and Community Group (ABC), raising money to support Black and brown-owned businesses and remaining focused on positive change in Lancaster. “We have invested in the work of racial and gender equity this year and this merger will only strengthen our ties in the community,” said Adam Hosey, Chief Equity Officer of YWCA Lancaster. “We have reached dozens of businesses this year with our customized training programs, and we will continue to build these relationships with the addition of the ABC program from SafeHouse.” adds Jasmyne King, Director of the Center for Racial and Gender Equity.Founders: Kearasten Jordan, Isaac Etter and Tess Feiler will remain connected to the programs in order to maintain momentum and a smooth transition. The merger is effective July 1, 2021.About YWCA LancasterYWCA Lancaster is dedicated to the elimination of racism, the empowerment of women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.  Since 1889 we have served children and adults in the community through a variety of programs.  Current offerings include the Center for Racial and Gender Equity; Kepler Hall residence, home to fifty women, men and children; New Choices Career Development Program, a life-changing opportunity for Lancaster, York and Chester County’s individuals in transition to achieve economic self-sufficiency; YWonderful Kids providing child enrichment for ages six weeks to five years and before/after school care in a number of settings; Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center with a 24 hour hotline, prevention programs and no-cost professional counseling for survivors of sexual assault and their significant others and Parent Empowerment Program for families in need of positive parenting support.

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