YWCA of Hawaii Island

YWCA Hawai'i Island is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

About the YWCA Hawai'i Island

The YWCA of Hawai'i Island provides services to meet community needs, drawing together people with diverse experiences and relationships so that they may join together in efforts to attain peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.

We work to maintain the National YWCA's goals and objectives, but our primary function is to fulfill our local community's needs.

The YWCA of Hawai'i Island first organized in Hilo in 1919 when a group of courageous women recognized the need for a women's organization and for programs geared primarily towards women and girls. From a very humble beginning with 14 women housed in a small cottage, the YWCA has expanded from the original residence in both activities and facilities. Throughout our history, the YWCA of Hawai'i Island has offered valuable programs and activities for the benefit of women, children and their families. The YWCA of Hawai'i Island was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1965.

The State of Hawai'i reaffirmed its commitment to Hawai'i's families by funding the Healthy Start Program, Enhanced Healthy Start Program, and Hawai'i Island Teen Court.

Services to survivors of sexual assault and their families via the Sexual Assault Crisis Center program are also funded by the state. These services were previously known as SASS in the 1980-90s, SARAS from 1999-2000, SAVE from 2000 to 2005, and Empowering Alternatives from 2005-2009.

The County of Hawai'i continues to affirm their commitment to Hawai'i's families by funding the Sexual Assault Crisis Center and the Healthy Start Program as well.

The YWCA of Hawai'i Island has been a partner agency of the Hawai'i Island United Way (HIUW) since 1979, and receives funding for various programs including Health Promotions Services (such as Aquatics and Wellness Activities) and the Developmental Preschool.

We are extremely grateful to all our funding sources and especially to our members who pay annual dues and program service fees for some of our activities.

The YWCA of Hawai'i Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A partner agency of the Hawai'i Island United Way.