Peace Justice Freedom and Dignity for all

YWCA North Central Washington's four county service area is 12,845 square miles with a total population of 249,644 according to the 2015 census update. YWCA’s four county racial cultural demographics are as follows. Caucasian just above 60% followed by its Hispanic Latino 35% and depending on the particular community we have a handful of Native Americans, African Americans and others. We serve low-income impoverished individuals and families through our program offerings. In a broader scope, we serve the community to educate, inform and affect change locally and at the state and national level.

YWCA at works to provide awareness and effect change in the following areas. The “Peace Project” will focus on these areas in efforts to bring peace IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.

• YWCA North Central Washington is part of a bigger movement - YWCA World and YWCA USA offer a global perspective which squarely confronts social justice issues to make lasting, meaningful change. While our focus for the “Peace Project” is regional in nature our global connections helps deepen our capacity to affect change.
• Through advocacy and local programming, we create real change for women, families and communities in the following areas.
• We seek to increase the equal protections and equal opportunities for all.
• We work to increase economic opportunities for women, and families.
• We advocate the importance of addressing the race and gender inequities that exist for this historically and contemporarily marginalized community.
• YWCA's approach to racial justice goes beyond changing hearts and minds. We strive to transform communities, systems, and public policy. Most recently, we have been focused on addressing racial profiling and police violence as they impact. Past issue priorities have included hate crimes, immigration reform, voting rights, and fair housing.
• YWCA also supports measures at the national, state, and local levels to advance and ensure human rights as member of YWCA USA and World YWCA, supports the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), a comprehensive, international agreement on eliminating discrimination against women in every sphere - economic, political, and social.
• In addition to our direct services and programs YWCA NCW holds an annual Stand Against Racism, which builds community among those who work for racial justice, raises awareness about racism, and encourages community members to act for change. Last year we held a day long awareness event on college campuses in Okanogan and Chelan County. We had more than 1000 people in attendance.

YWCA North Central's “Peace Project” will address the areas at the forefront of growing fear and hate to bring balance and peace to our communities.
Specifically, we will:
•Hold a monthly education workshop for the community to create awareness and educated communities on HOW TO combat hate and discrimination ONE PERSON at a time.
•Run community awareness campaigns in the four-county area on “Peace Project” topics as stated above.
•Expand the Stand Against Racism to include all four counties. We did Chelan and Okanogan County Stand Against Racism events last year. We will expand to all four counties in 2017.
Funding will be spent as follows:
•Advertising, promotion, and supplies for monthly education workshops for one year.
•Production of materials for community awareness campaigns. Advertising and supplies for the community awareness campaign.
•Provide general support for the Stand Against Racism awareness events in 2 new counties. FREE TO THE PUBLIC