history

1887
The oldest YWCA in the South, YWCA of Richmond was conceived in a parlor meeting of eight women on May 16, 1887

1888
Opened a boarding home, which would accommodate 19 young women moving to Richmond for factory work

1891
Opened day nursery to care for children while their mothers worked in local factories

1911
Phyllis Wheatley Branch opened, one of the country's first African-American branches

1914
Began construction of the YWCA facility on 5th Street; the building was designed for programs focusing on residence and physical fitness

1930
Assisted in starting the Southern Commission on Interracial Cooperation

1960
Fully integrated all programs

1979
Started a sexual assault center, one of the first in Virginia; it operates today as Richmond's only 24-Hour sexual assault center

Opened the first shelter for battered women in Richmond

1989
Opened the first shelter for battered women in Chesterfield

Initiated the first and only preschool program for homeless children in Richmond

1996
Eliminated health and fitness programs to concentrate on three focus areas: domestic violence, sexual violence, and child early childhood education

2001
Raised over $4 million through the Rebuilding Hope Capital Campaign to renovate the Richmond domestic violence shelter and the historic 5th Street building

2006
Child Development Center became one of only a few nonprofit centers that is certified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

2007
Celebrated the 120th Anniversary

2008
Opened a second year-round, full-day Child Development Center site within the Chippenham Place apartment community

Celebrated the retirement of Cathy Pond who served as Executive Director for 15 years

2009
Welcomed Cassandra D. Emery, the new YWCA Executive Director

2010
Implementation of new strategic plan and change in housing model to transitional housing

2011
Celebrated 120 years of providing childcare to Richmond