Distinctly Montana Magazine

L ANOTHER OUSTANDING MONTANA NONPROFIT. YWCA MISSOULA BY ELIZABETH L. HARRISON, COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE MISSION STATEMENT The YWCA Missoula is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Through GUTS! Summer Outdoor Adventures, young women learn leadership skills through activities such as ropes course and rock climbing. BACKGROUND Since 1911, YWCA Mis- soula has been meeting the needs of women and children in the Missoula community. They believe it's not enough to simply respond to women in crisis, they also try to prevent violence and abuse by empowering girls and women of all ages and creating a community that is safe and welcoming for all people. In domestic violence situations children may see their mothers being hit, hear screaming, and experience chaos in their homes. They may not have one friend — until their mothers gather their courage and step through the doors of the YWCA. In the YWCA's domestic violence shel- ter, women and children may qualify for Ada's Place Transitional Housing and move into their own apartment. Through an 18-month program, case managers help mothers apply for classes at the University and continue on the path to healing. Chil- dren can grow up to have a healthy, happy family of their own. The YWCA helps end the cycle of vio- lence through a variety of SERVICES... PATHWAYS: 24-hour crisis line, safe and confidential shelter, support groups, sexual assault services PLANET KIDS: Supervised visitation and safe exchange center TRANSITIONAL HOUSING: 18-month independent living program for homeless single women with children, case management, counseling, life skills classes EMERGENCY HOUSING: 45-day program for homeless families GATEWAY CENTER (LOCATED AT SALVATION ARMY): short-term assessment and referral for homeless individuals and families, case management, transportation, short-term motel stays GUTS! (GIRLS USING THEIR STRENGTHS): leadership and empowerment program for girls ages 9 to 18, sum- mer outdoor adventures, after-school/lunchtime groups, community action projects RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE: award-winning social marketing campaign featuring TV, radio and billboard ads intended to spark dialogue around racism Volunteers can help. See the WEB SITE: www.ywcaofmissoula.org www.distinctlymontana.com DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL Watch their 100-year anniversary video at... www.distinctlymontana.com/ywca124 59 Nead Bunna, an exchange professional from Cambo- dia's Room to Read orga- nization, shows girls in a GUTS! after-school group photos from her home and work in Cambodia. . . F F O O R e T vo E H .

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