Downtown Location

Our downtown location is a 12-story building conveniently located in the heart of Madison on the Capitol Square at 101 East Mifflin Street. It was formerly the historic Belmont Hotel, built in the 1920s. The largest provider of affordable housing to women in Dane County, YWCA is home to more than 450 women, children, and families each year.

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
608.257.1436, option 2
Fax 608.257.1439

Empowerment Center

YWCA Madison’s Empowerment Center, located at 2040 S. Park Street, provides resources to individuals seeking to find, change, or maintain a job and acquire skills to advance in the workplace. Staff and other resources are available to help with resume and cover letter writing, job application completion, and finding new job opportunities.

Hours of Operation

Open by appointment only. Please call 608.257.1436, option 3 to schedule an appointment.
Fax 608.395.2598

Accommodations

If you need an interpreter, translator, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this service, activity or program, please contact Property Manager, April Elvington via email or at 608-257-1436, option 2. Please do so at least four days prior to the appointment.

Information for program participants with disabilities about their rights can be found on the City of Madison Website.

Concealed Carry Policy

Although Wisconsin law permits individuals with a valid permit to carry concealed weapons in public areas and vehicles in Wisconsin, YWCA Madison does not permit firearms or other weapons in any of its buildings. In keeping with this policy, signs posted at all YWCA Madison building and vehicle entrances state: Firearms and weapons are prohibited in this building.

Community Space Usage

YWCA Madison provides meeting space, dependent on room availability, to local organizations that share a mission and vision similar to YWCA. Due to the current global health climate, YWCA Madison is currently not open to outside organizations for community space usage.

Smiling Woman, Human Services, YWCA Madison
YWCA Empowerment Center, Human Services, YWCA Madison
Friends Posing Together, Human Services, YWCA Madison

Our CEO

Gery Paredes Vásquez

Gery Paredes Vásquez (ella, tu, she, her) is a lifelong practitioner and collaborator for intersectional justice, healing and collective liberation. 

She is currently serving as YWCA Madison’s CEO, after six years of directing the Race and Gender Equity department, in which role she collaborated with this beloved team and a growing community of artists, advocates, organizers, educators and practitioners in the co-creation of offerings such as the Racial Justice Series Community Series, YWCA Madison’s annual Racial Justice Summit, as well as intersectional race-based offerings such as the BIPOC Healing Justice and Co-Liberation Series. In this role,  she has also provided collaborative consulting services for equity to organizations via YWCA Madison’s Creating Equitable Organizations partnership program. 

Gery’s connection to YWCA Madison goes back to 2012 when she first  volunteered as a  facilitator for the Racial Justice series, to then become a full time  associate, later a  Race and Gender Equity Coordinator and Manager before becoming the Director of this same department.

Like many Latine people, Gery was born to families of mixed ethnicities and races due to colonization: Indigenous Quechua, Aymara and Guarani with Spanish. This reality shapes her personal journey of learning, unlearning and healing as well as continues to inspire her work for intersectional justice and collective liberation every day.

In the twenty years of her professional practice, Gery has collaborated with people, communities, and organizations from around the world. These experiences gave her the opportunity to co-create programs, build capacity and co-facilitate learning experiences that deliberately centered social justice with young and adult populations from a very broad range of race, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic and ideological identities in countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, United States, Swaziland, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Italy. 

Gery has served as the Co-Curricular Director of United World College in Costa Rica, presided over the International Association for Experiential Education, as well as co-founded the community organization Wayna Hilaña Yanapaña together with youth peers in her home country of Bolivia. 

She is a graduate of the United World College of India, where she received a full scholarship to participate in a two-year multicultural and international residential experience centering education for peace while living and learning with two hundred peers from eighty-two countries. She received a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Justice Education from Prescott College, an Executive Certificate on Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as continuing to participate in multiple community-based learning, unlearning, and practice experiences shaping  her ongoing journey.

Gery Paredes Vasquez, Human Services, YWCA Madison

Our Staff

Development Department

Grants and Compliance Department

Finance & Accounting Department

Human Resources Department

Race & Gender Equity Department

Employment & Transit Department

Facilities Department

Operations Department

Restorative Justice Department

Empowerment Center Receptionist

Housing Department

Our Board of Directors

Officers

  • Monica Mims

    CHAIR

  • Julia Stanley

    VICE-CHAIR

  • Angela Bindl

    TREASURER

  • Ursula Norwood

    SECRETARY

Members

  • Christina Bankhead

  • Jihan Bekiri

  • Gloria Castillo Posada

  • Kirsten Donkle

  • Ginger Francis

  • Leigh Griesbach

  • Jan Kittoe

  • Angela Jenkins

  • Jen Rubin

  • Melissa Rubio

  • Mary Stelletello

  • Naomi Swain

  • T.R. Williams

  • Brenda Yang

Key Dates in YWCA Madison History

  • 2023

    • YWCA Madison sells the restaurant and three apartments portion of the Empowerment Center to the owners of El Pastor.

  • 2022

    • YWCA Madison receives Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Achievement in JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Award.

    • YWCA Madison purchases the Empowerment Center at 2040 S. Park Street (including El Pastor Restaurant and three apartments).

  • 2021

    • YWCA Madison was the first recipient of the YWCA USA Local Association Excellence Award in Racial Justice.

    • YWCA Madison led the effort for a Madison City Resolution to be passed that integrates Restorative Justice process into how we officially respond to youth 12-16 years old who qualify for a municipal non-traffic citation and makes it the first option and not just a alternative to municipal court.

  • 2020

    • YWeb Career Academy starts to be replicated nationally to 15 YWCAs throughout the United States.

    • In conjunction with the Black Thought Project, YWCA Madison creates a Black Thought Wall in Madison, WI.

    • YWCA Madison creates new organizational values of “Who We Are Today!”: Community, Humanity, Growth, and Restoration.

    • In December of 2020, YWCA Madison receives a portion of MacKenzie Scott’s monumental 4.2 billion-dollar philanthropic donation.

  • 2018

    • YWCA Madison shifted its focus inward and created “Fishbowls” as a way to have difficult conversations around our intersectional identities among staff and the board.

    • Launched our Advocacy Platform.

  • 2017

    • Vanessa McDowell is named CEO and becomes the first Black woman CEO in YWCA Madison’s 108-year history.

    • YWCA Madison Empowerment Center moves to a new location on Park Street.

  • 2014

    • Launched YWeb Career Academy.

  • 2013

    • Launched the Moxie Conference and YWomen Lead.

    • Launched Advocacy Action Team.

    • Streamlined YWCA program to focus on 3 core areas of strength: race/gender equity, housing & shelter, and job training/transportation.

  • 2012

    • Launched Housing First Programs in Stoughton, WI.

  • 2011

    • Renovations of 101 E. Mifflin Street are completed.

  • 2010

    • Renovations Begin at 101 E. Mifflin Street.

    • The Real Lives, Real Change Capital Campaign reaches its fundraising goal of $1.8 Million.

    • Restorative Justice program launches pilot program at LaFollette High School.

  • 2009

    • YW Transit JobRide Program is launched.

    • Empowerment Center opens.

  • 2008

    • YWCA launches Capital Campaign to renovate the building at 101 E. Mifflin and acquire an Empowerment Center.

  • 2007

    • YWCA begins the YW Transit program to provide rides for vulnerable persons without other transportation, options for sexual assault prevention, and for access to medical and other appointments.

  • 2006

    • YWCA Madison’s Legacy Society is established to provide an opportunity for thoughtful donors to make lasting gifts for the future and to be honored & recognized in the present for their generosity and vision.

    • YWCA Madison hosts its first “block party” for residents, staff, board members, and neighbors.

  • 2003

    • YWCA Madison celebrates its 95th birthday.

    • Introduced Our first Circle of Women Luncheon to bring the message of our work and mission to the community and had nearly 800 people in attendance.

  • 2002

    • YWCA Madison introduced a powerful four-hour Unlearning Racism workshop which includes the viewing of the award-winning video, the Color of Fear.

  • 2001

    • The creation of the YWCA Foundation through a bequest from Ineva Baldwin.

    • The Employment and Training Annex moved from Williamson Street to Lakeside Street.

    • On December 31, 2001, we closed the deal with Heartland and purchased the building at 101 E. Mifflin back from Heartland.

    • YWCA Madison participates in the historic vote in Albuquerque to change our national bylaws and create a new structure.

  • 2000

    • YWCA Madison renovates kitchens on our permanent resident floors and our shelter floor for homeless families.

    • Our Employment and Training annex houses other programs.

  • 1999

    • YWCA Madison celebrates 90 years of service to Dane County.

    • YWCA Madison holds the 25th Annual Women of Distinction Award Luncheon.

  • 1990

    • The 4 million dollar rehabilitation project was completed at 101 E. Mifflin Street.

  • 1989

    • The building at 101 E. Mifflin St is put on Madison’s Historic Register.

  • 1987

    • The Rehabilitation project begins at 101 E. Mifflin Street.

  • 1986

    • YWCA Madison starts a campaign to raise funds for remodeling the facilities.

    • YWCA Madison leases fitness facilities to the local YMCA during YMCA’s renovations.

  • 1983

    • YWCA declared a Nuclear Free Zone by the Board of Directors.

    • First Women in Business Expo Held.

  • 1981

    • The first fire and police training program for women begins.

    • Mortgage paid off at the 101 E. Mifflin Street building.

  • 1980

    • YWCA Madison begins offering emergency shelter to homeless individuals.

  • 1973

    • First Women of Distinction luncheon.

    • The Rape Crisis Center moves to the YWCA Building.

  • 1972

    • Started Briarpatch program. Today, Briarpatch is an independent agency serving adolescents in Dane County.

    • A workshop to launch Madison’s YWCA fight against racism is held in August and members urge the organization to become more active in social issues in Madison.

  • 1968

    • Purchase of Belmont Hotel – YWCA-on-the-Square begins.

    • 12th floor is converted from swimming pool to apartments and office space.

  • 1965

    • YWCA Madison support of “Fair Housing” Practices.

  • 1960

    • YWCA Madison houses 72 permanent residents and used 13 rooms for transient women.

  • 1948

    • Facilities used to house “displaced persons” of World War II.

  • 1946

    • Public advocacy for protective legislation for Industrial Girls.

  • 1943

    • Racial and ethnic discrimination banned in YWCA Madison facilities.

  • 1940

    • Beginning of Overseas Club for visitors and students from foreign countries.

    • World War II changes the role of YWCA from helping girls and women find employment to offering physical education classes, a safe place for co-ed activities, short-term interest groups, and residence.

  • 1934

    • Public support of National Anti-lynching bill.

  • 1933

    • Public advocacy in support of Mother’s Pension (forerunner of AFDC)

    • Public advocacy in support of higher wages for household employees.

  • 1930

    • Supported reduction of armaments at a national and international level as part of “Cause and Cure for War”.

    • A new committee, Future Business Plans committee, is established by the Board to determine if State Street frontage of the building should be leased for private business.

  • 1922

    • Founding member of Community Union (now United Way).

  • 1918

    • The cornerstone of the new YWCA Building was laid with a time capsule to be opened in October of 1971.

  • 1916

    • Started the first YWCA building on State Street. It had lodging for 30 young women ($2.50 – $5 a week) and transient women ($1/night).

  • 1910

    • Development of Employment Services for Domestics, Child Care, and Nurses.

    • Programs for Camp Fire Girls and Girl Reserves started.

    • Physical education programs started around the city.

  • 1909

    • On February 13, the YWCA of Madison became affiliated with the National Board of the YWCA in New York.

    • Purchased a building to house 6 permanent and 2 transient women (Corner of Carroll and Dayton St.).

    • YWCA had a membership of 300 people.

  • 1908

    • November 20 – YWCA formally organized in Madison,

    • Rented the home of Dr. Jackson at 123 N. Pinckney for $25/month,

    • Moved the few belongings they had to 315 E. Mifflin St.

  • 1906

    • A group of women at the Women’s Club discussed organizing a YWCA in Madison.

Frequently Asked Questions

About YWCA Madison

  • YWCA Madison has over 20 programs that fit into one of the following categories:

    Advancing race & gender equity to create a more inclusive community;

    Helping people improve their financial situations through job training & transportation; and

    Supporting people in housing & shelter.

  • YWCA Madison provides wrap-around services that partner with people as they move towards self-sufficiency. From the infant on Third Street to teens in Restorative Justice, to the displaced homemaker looking for employment, to our eldest resident, YWCA is supporting people throughout their lifetime. YWCA takes a holistic approach to help people by addressing the root causes of poverty such as homelessness, unemployment/underemployment, and racism.

  • YWCA Madison is home to 150 women, children, and families every night. YWCA provides affordable housing for single women and the Third Street Program for single mothers with young children. In addition, YWCA provides shelter to homeless families.

  • Most YWCA Madison residents pay rent and sign a lease to live at YWCA. There are 12 units of shelter, where the families do not pay rent as YWCA Madison is part of the Dane County shelter system and provides shelter for families with minor children.

  • Thousands of people are empowered through all of YWCA Madison’s programs, from homeless families living at 101 E. Mifflin Street to people engaging in conversations about race through our Race & Gender Equity and Restorative Justice programs to riders getting to and from work on YW Transit and more.

  • Yes.  Through our housing, job training and transportation services, and Racial & Restorative Justice programs, men benefit from the services we provide.

  • YWCA Madison has a diverse income stream to ensure the financial health of our organization. Each year we seek donations from community supporters, conduct fundraising events, apply for grants from public and private sources, and earn income from rent.

  • Yes. YWCA Madison is a 501(c)(3) organization and your donation to the YWCA is tax-deductible, less the value of any goods or services you receive. For example, goods or services would include a meal if you attend one of our fundraising events. We work hard to keep costs low so that more of your donation goes directly to support people in our programs.

  • YWCA once stood for Young Women’s Christian Association. However, this is a reflection of the history of YWCA and thus we only use the acronym YWCA when we refer to ourselves today.

  • When the YWCA USA was established over 160 years ago, it was founded in the Christian faith. Today, the YWCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and not a faith-based organization.

  • In Madison, the YWCA and the YMCA are separate non-profit entities with different missions. While YWCA focuses on eliminating racism and empowering women through housing, employment, transportation, and programs addressing race relations, the YMCA focuses on healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.

  • No, we no longer have a swimming pool, nor do we provide fitness classes.

 Contact us.