YWCA of Wichita History
The YWCA of Wichita was incorporated in 1906. It is affiliated with the YWCA USA - Young Women's Christian Association. We are committed to the empowerment of women, girls and families with a common vision of peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. Our main program assists victims of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Our history is rich in civil rights and women's rights activities. We opened the first restaurant in Wichita where anyone and everyone could walk in the front door and be served equally back in the 1940's. During the 1940-1950's YWCA women partnered with African American women and went to different dining establishments daily and sat and waited until management served them. The YWCA was asked to assist the school system during the time that schools were being desegregated. For a Historical Review of the YWCA of Wichita from the Women's Studies site at WSU, click here.
1976
* YWCA Women's Crisis Center, a 24 hour shelter for battered women is opened
* Started the YWCA Displaced Homemakers Program (now called EARN), a program providing support and employment services to women displaced by separation, divorce, or widowed
1991
* Started National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism and related activities
1994
* Week Without Violence project started in October
1998
* Launched Capitol Campaign for new shelter, programming and endowment
* Thrift Store (now the YWCA Treasure Chest) opened
* Shelter services offered to sexual assault victims
2000
* First Sole Sisters Race/Walk to End Domestic Violence
2001
* YWCA Women's Crisis Center/Safehouse moved into new building, meeting ADA guidelines, and improving quality of service and working conditions
* First Y's Women of Vision Luncheon - honoring women of excellence in Wichita
* YWCA Discover Shoppe opened
2003
* Moved Treasure Chest Thrift Store to new location in the historic Delano business district.
2004
* Closed Discovery Shoppe
* Launched Salons of Hope Program
2005
* Launched new associate membership program Mavericks (Men Against Violence) allowing men and boys to get involved with and actively support the work of the YWCA Women’s Crisis Center to end domestic violence
* Launched Pets In Crisis Program
2006
* Launched Project Butterfly
2008
* August 19, 2008 The YWCA USA National Coordinating Board grants the YWCA Wichita permission to adopt gender-neutral membership and governance policies, allowing men to serve on the Board of Directors.
2010
* Chryle Nofsinger-Wiens, YWCA Wichita Executive Director, is appointed by the Attorney General Steve Six to serve on the Batterers Intervention Program Advisory Board on March 24, 2009.
2010
* Dr. Bruce Grene becomes the first male elected to serve on the YWCA Wichita Board of Directors.
* Cheryl Webb, YWCA Director of Community Outreach, is appointed by the Attorney General Steve Six to serve on the Human Trafficking Advisory Board on January 25, 2010.
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