In January 2003, the YWCA Central Alabama will begin to celebrate a significant milestone - its 100th anniversary. Our founder, Maybelle Sloss, had a dream of establishing a YWCA in Birmingham and on March 24, 1903, her dream became reality. Since then, the YWCA has served our community through various social and human service programs.

The mission of the YWCA Central Alabama is to create a more caring community. It has been the YW's privilege to sustain our mission in part because of the support of its generous volunteers and donors. To see a list of our Century of Caring Sponsors, or for more information about becoming a sponsor, please click here. To learn more about our Century of Caring committee of dedicated volunteers, please click here.

To accomplish our mission, the YWCA provides services vital to our community. The YW's outstanding child care centers for the homeless and working poor help children build self-respect. The YW's housing programs provide safety and security for families who might otherwise not have a place to call home. The YW offers safe shelter and comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence.

The YW's After-School Enrichment Program provides homeless school-aged children with tutors and academic enrichment activities. The YW's residency program offers low cost apartments to women who cannot find affordable, service-enriched housing. And YW Homes creates housing for low-income families and special-needs populations, such as the elderly.

Whether it is the YW's 24-hour crisis line, MOMENTUM, the YW's leadership program for women, welfare to work programs for teenaged girls, or any of the programs mentioned above, the YWCA's services are essential to the well being of our community.

Throughout 2003, the YW will commemorate its 100th anniversary with several special events and programs designed to increase awareness for the agency as well as raise funds to help meet the rising needs of our community. Click here for a complete calendar of Century of Caring events.