Economic Empowerment
Celebrating 115 Years of Service
The YWCA is proud to be the oldest and largest women’s movement, providing services for women and their families.
This year, YWCA San Antonio celebrates 115 of impact in our community. That’s 115 years of experience, compassion and unwavering commitment to women and their families.
Each year, YWCA San Antonio serves 30,000 individuals through quality childcare, workforce development, financial literacy and health services.
YWCA San Antonio exists to eliminate racism and empower women. We achieve this mission by removing barriers from women, particularly women of color, to break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient. The barriers we address include:
Access to high-quality early childhood education and care
Services for youth success
Economic Empowerment and workforce training
Health Equity and access to care
And soon, Supporting Housing
All of our work is done through a lens of racial justice and gender equity.
We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to empower women and families, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
All of this is possible through the generosity of our donors.
Join our legacy with a monthly donation of $15.
You can help be a part of the difference.
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This quarter, we proudly launched PCEME—the Consular Program for Mexican Women Entrepreneurs Abroad—in partnership with the Mexican Consulate of San Antonio. This initiative supports women in developing or launching a business idea through workshops, advising, and training. We’re excited to share that 19 participants have already completed the program, with 4 more close to finishing. Special congratulations to Gladiola and Perla, who made significant progress and officially completed the course this June!
Our ISave program, in partnership with Financial Health Pathways, continues to promote healthy financial habits. Participants save $20 a month for five months and receive a 2:1 match—resulting in $300 in savings. June marks the first round of participants reaching their goal!
Lastly, stay tuned for our upcoming WISE (Women in Self-Employment) workshop in August. Follow us on social media for updates and registration details!
To learn more or join an upcoming program, contact the Economic Empowerment team.
Child Care
More Exciting News
Women’s Live and Learn Center Phase 2 Ground-breaking
The cement building foundation has been poured for the Women’s Live and Learn Center Phase II, The Harvey Najim Early Childhood Development and Care Center. This not only marked a key event in construction progress, this also unlocked a $845,000 commitment made by the Mabee Foundation in April 2023.
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Health Equity
Throughout this year, the Health Window (Ventanilla de Salud) has evolved significantly, adopting a focus on prevention. In this context, we have strengthened partnerships with various organizations that offer health services, with the primary objective of preventing and detecting diseases in a timely manner.
This development has allowed us to expand our work beyond health education. Thanks to the collaboration between the Mexican Consulate, the Health Window, and the YWCA, we have provided free access to essential screenings, including mammograms and Pap smears. We have also offered laboratory tests for blood glucose, anemia, cholesterol, kidney function, family planning, comprehensive women's health, and other services.
It's important to note that during this period, we've also strengthened our ties with community leaders, churches, and parks in San Antonio, which has allowed us to organize and plan future events with greater social impact. In these six months, the Health Window has reached more than 19,000 people, contributing to the promotion of health and well-being in our community.
We deeply appreciate the support of our collaborators and the community, who make this work possible for the benefit of all. We remain committed to our mission of providing tools and services that improve the quality of life of every individual.
YWCA San Antonio Women's Health Services Program has not only facilitated access to free and timely medical services, but has also actively promoted community health education, with the assistance of around 100 people, including health promoters.
This comprehensive approach—combining prevention, care, and training—strengthens the empowerment of women to make informed decisions about their health, moving towards a healthier, more informed, and more just community.
The fiscal year closes up with great impacts in the community:
Screening mammograms - 698
Diagnostic mammograms - 172
Referrals to Planned Parenthood - 250
Referred to the Communicare Bus - 169
Community Education 100
Women’s Live & Learn Center
We’ve had an exciting and empowering season here at the Women’s Live and Learn Center, full of growth, learning, and new beginnings!
Health & Wellness Education: In late May, we had the opportunity to host Healthy Futures of Texas for a valuable conversation on sexual health. Their team provided helpful, age-appropriate education and opened up a safe space for discussion with our residents.
Resident Voices in the Spotlight: Two of our residents had the opportunity to share their stories and perspectives—one in an interview with a local news outlet, and another with our YWCA marketing team. We’re so proud of them for using their voices to inspire and inform others!
Community Learning Series: We’ve been fortunate to host a range of engaging guest speakers recently, covering topics such as digital literacy and navigating the benefits cliff, providing our residents with critical tools for long-term success. If you would like to come join as a guest speaker or have any information you feel would be valuable to the residents, feel free to reach out to Brittany Sostre at bvsteenburg@ywcasa.org!
Welcoming Our New Cohort: We’re thrilled to welcome our newest cohort of residents, who officially began their journey with us on June 24th, 2025. We can’t wait to see all that they’ll accomplish in the months ahead! Our last group will be joining us later this fall, and we are still accepting applications for candidates. If you have a candidate in mind, please email WLLC@ywcasa.org, and we will walk you through the application process.
Coming Soon - Parenting Support: Looking ahead, we’re excited to welcome Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) to campus in late July for a series of parenting classes focused on building positive relationships and confident caregiving.
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Do you know someone looking for quality childcare? Look no further!
YWCA’s Olga Madrid Learning Center is enrolling children.
Our dedicated teachers provide a nurturing and welcoming environment and encourage families to engage in interactive activities, building strong families.
The Olga Madrid Learning Center has maintained a 4-star rating through the Texas Rising Star Program and teachers are committed to their growth, earning their CDA certifications.
Contact us for a tour.
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Youth
This summer, a group of local teenagers took part in a vibrant camp experience that blended fun with purpose, focusing on leadership, advocacy, and community engagement.
One of the camp’s main goals was to empower youth through leadership development and advocacy training. Campers explored how to use their voices for positive change, learning about key issues affecting their communities and how to advocate for what matters to them.
Inspiring guest speakers visited throughout the summer, offering powerful lessons on poetry, storytelling, and student voice. These sessions encouraged self-expression and gave teens the tools to speak confidently and creatively about their experiences and ideas.
Campers also enjoyed exciting weekly field trips to the Bexar Heritage Museum and the Witte Museum, where they explored local history, science, and culture in fun and interactive ways. Weekly swimming trips added to the excitement, giving teens a chance to unwind and bond with friends in the sun.
A big part of the summer was giving back. Campers volunteered at places like SA Threads and a our food pantry, learning the importance of service and making a real difference in their community.
With a balance of fun, learning, and purpose, Camp 2025 gave teens an unforgettable summer filled with personal growth, meaningful connections, and memories."
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Workforce
The Ready To Work Program is a Workforce Program for individuals that want a career for life!
For more information, contact: readytowork@ywcasa.org
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The RESET Program is designed to support young women ages 16 to 24 who are not currently in school or working.
RESET focuses on helping participants build the tools and confidence needed to become financially, emotionally, and socially secure. Through a supportive and individualized approach, we aim to guide each young woman toward long-term success.
Services include:
Educational Coaching – Support with high school completion, GED prep, and postsecondary planning
Career Readiness – Workshops, resume building, job search support, and job placement
Life Skills Training – Topics such as self-confidence, communication, financial literacy, and conflict resolution
Case Management – Ongoing one-on-one support to navigate barriers and set achievable goals
Paid Training Opportunities – Access to selected short-term training programs that lead to employment
RESET is more than a program, it’s a pathway to independence, stability, and growth. Staff is here to strengthen partnerships and referrals, and would love your continued support in sharing our services with eligible individuals.
If you know anyone that is interested in enrolling, they can click here and read more about the program and complete the intake form.
Feel free to reach out if you’d like additional information or would like to schedule a presentation.
Thank you for being a valued partner in helping young women reset their path forward.
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YWCA’s New Board Chair
Haley Ellison was elected Board Chair for YWCA San Antonio. A board member since 2019, she is a partner with Davis & Santos and is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law. Her practice is focused on federal and state appeals and commercial litigation, including bankruptcy litigation and complex business disputes. She holds degrees from Trinity University and St. Mary's University School of Law.
The Ready to Work staff hosted a job fair and welcomed 65 attendees, including 47 clients who are currently unemployed.
The connections made with participating employers were incredibly meaningful, and clients are hopeful to see job placements and positive outcomes over the next 3 to 6 weeks.
This event was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. The energy, dedication, and teamwork shown throughout the day truly embodied the YWCA’s mission of empowering individuals and strengthening our community.
VIA generously donated three 7-day bus passes to our Workforce Development Program. These passes were given to women at the RESET Program to help support their journey toward self-sufficiency. Transportation can often be a barrier to everyday needs like getting to work, job interviews, or even grocery shopping. This contribution from VIA helps bridge that gap and empowers our community members to move forward.
Thank you for your continued support of the YWCA mission.
La Cuenta Pendiente Telenovela Premier a HUGE Success
On May 8th, YWCA San Antonio premiered a groundbreaking telenovela, La Cuenta Pendiente (The Outstanding Balance). The premier was held at City Base Cinema and hosted nearly 200 guests.
This powerful production captured the daily realities and struggles faced by childcare workers, women of color, immigrants, and those burdened by poverty and racism. Through compelling storytelling and vibrant characters, the audience was able to witness the untold narratives of resilience, hope, and the relentless pursuit of justice against systemic barriers.
The film not only demonstrated the lives and challenges of everyday heroes but also highlighted unity, strength and the power of standing together.
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And on June 20th, another screening of La Cuenta Pendiente (Outstanding Balance)” was successfully screened at The Jewel at King William during a beautiful summer evening under the stars. The outdoor setting created an intimate and heartfelt atmosphere, with over 40 people in attendance.
Following the screening, we held a powerful Q&A session where guests shared personal reflections and engaged deeply with the film’s themes of workplace justice, resilience, and empowerment. It was truly a moving night.
Even more exciting — the short film has officially been selected for CineFestival and will be showcased at the Jo Long Theatre at the Carver Cultural Community Center on Thursday, July 10 at 7:00 PM.
Thank you to all of our volunteers for their partnership and compassion.
Volunteer Highlights
On June 7th, volunteers gathered at the Olga Madrid Center, where they pulled up their sleeves to help spruce up the Olga Madrid Center to ensure the space was ready for children attending programs for the summer. They also helped organize the food pantry to ensure items are accessible for clients.
On June 28th, volunteers from Power Home assembled sensory and had fun with painting projects. Power Home also serves YWCA as a generous donor; earlier this year, they committed $100,000 to benefit the Women’s Live & Learn Center.
