History

In 1897, Vancouver underwent classic growing pains - too many people and not enough housing or services. Single young women were migrating to the city, many of them were friendless and penniless, searching for education or employment. They struggled to find work and affordable accommodation and faced challenges such as inadequate wages, unscrupulous employers and loneliness.

Members of two charitable organizations found this situation to be troubling and joined forces to offer practical assistance. And so, in August of 1897, YWCA Vancouver was born - and the doors of endless possibility were opened.

From the early days the YWCA offered accommodation, employment and travellers' aid to jobless young women new to the city. Eventually, in 1904, the YWCA acquired property at Dunsmuir and Burrard which served as the homebase until the mid-nineties. With the acquisition of a larger facility, the YWCA was able to expand its services to meet new needs. Physical training was a novel idea at the time and was added to the YWCA's programming amidst incredible controversy. It was believed that rigorous exercise could damage reproductive organs!

Each decade thereafter, the YWCA has continued to evolve, paving the way by filling in the gaps in society and addressing urgent community needs. They initiated programs for teens such as Hi-Y and Big Sisters, multicultural programs like MOSAIC and work training programs to support the increasing numbers of immigrants. The YWCA also established support programs for new mothers, whether they be married or single, maintained housing facilities (particularly during and after the war), and, more recently, for single moms and those escaping abusive relationships.

Today, the community looks to the YWCA for the leadership that comes from over 100 years of helping women and families realize their full potential. During the next century YWCA Vancouver is steadfast in its commitment to build on the work it began in 1897. As a charitable organization, the YWCA will continue to work for positive social change in its efforts to improve the lives of women and families throughout the Lower Mainland.