YWCA Offers Women Job Search Support & Mentorship

When asked how much community members know about YWCA Spokane free programs, most share their awareness of our wrap-around services for domestic violence victims/survivors, including our safe shelter. What many in Spokane are still unfamiliar with is the array of services we offer that focus on women’s economic empowerment, which are provided through our Women’s Opportunity Center (WOC). 

Within the WOC, we provide a donation-based clothing boutique for women called Our Sister’s Closet, a soft skill development program called Essentials, a staffed computer lab, and classes like yoga for survivors, expressive arts for survivors, and Circle of Security parenting classes.  We also provide services for woman looking for employment including job readiness, skill-building, and mentorship.

Women To Work

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Each day, Monday through Thursday, our computer lab is bustling with activity as YWCA Spokane staff members Chris, Program Manager, and Kate, Women’s Opportunity Mentor, (pictured above) coach and mentor women on their path toward gainful employment. 

Chris diligently manages our Women to Work Basic Food and Employment Training Program where women build their skills, develop their resume, prepare for the interview, and get connected to potential employers.

As participants graduate into employment, Kate is available for employment coaching as well as mentorship around career management, financial literacy, and options for pursuing higher education. Kate has shared that she brings passion to this work through the belief that each person we serve is whole, capable, resourceful, and an expert in their own life.

“I remain inspired in my work by meeting each woman where they’re at, finding out what success means to them individually, and helping them find the resources to get there.” – Chris, Women To Work Program Manager

Local job opportunities are shared with participants nearly every day. As a Work Source Spokane connection-site, program participants also have up-to-date access to Work Source’s electronic job-postings from each of the 12 computers in the lab. 

Programs like this are necessary to attain and preserve well-being and economic independence in the lives of our participants. The services offered within our Women’s Opportunity Center computer lab are but one piece of the overall puzzle of programming necessary to support change in the lives of those we serve.

To learn more about the Women’s Opportunity Center at the YWCA Spokane, and to explore the other services that we offer, please visit our programs page.