YWCA Alliance is on a MISSION

To empower women and eliminate racism, we must meet our clients where they are most vulnerable and provide the compassion and services that place them on a path to self-sufficiency and prosperity.

Our vision is that all women and their families can achieve their full potential in a world without discrimination.

This requires a focus on the future, anticipating the needs of our clients, and creating innovative solutions to the problems they most often face–poverty, unsafe living conditions, lack of reliable and affordable clothing, under- or unemployment, and food insecurity. We are evolving our services to meet the changing needs of our clients today and in the future.

We remain rooted in rich history, but our approach to serving our clients is holistic, strategic, and innovative.

Nationally, YWCA advocacy issues include lobbying for pay equity and hate crimes legislation, increased funding for Head Start, and passing the Violence Against Women Act. Locally, through our programs, we are changing lives and restoring hope for women, their families, and our community!

Alliance Family Services ↘

Our Alliance Family Services provide assistance to increase economic empowerment. These programs are designed to improve the client’s immediate and long-term circumstances, thus correcting current emergencies and working to avert future ones in a safe, respectful, affirming environment. Included in our “Alliance Family Services” are the YWCA Career & Fashion Boutique, Transitional Housing Program, Transportation Assistance Program, and Resource Hub.

Our Goal:

To promote the self-sufficiency, primarily economic, of women and families through a network of services, which assist women in improving the quality of their lives.

Primary Target Population:

Low-to-moderate-income women in the Alliance area who are:

  • Seeking to secure/sustain employment (including training and GED programs), or

  • Transitioning through a crisis/emergency until the situation is stabilized (seniors, violence, etc.),

  • Seeking to secure basic benefits or supplies for self and/or family.

Our Objectives:

  1. To promote the economic empowerment of women.

  2. To provide stable, safe, affordable transitional housing for women in emergencies/crises.

  3. To provide or assist residents in garnering resources that move them toward greater self-sufficiency.

  4. To assist women in securing resources to support employment (clothing, transportation, personal care items) to increase economic empowerment.

  5. To assist individuals in obtaining government benefits.

  6. To strengthen families by providing basic school supplies (tools) for children in grades K-12

  • Career & Fashion Boutique

    Resources to assist in securing or sustaining employment by providing job appropriate career/work clothing.

    Both men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories.

    This program aims to correct temporary emergencies and support long term strategy (employment) to avert additional emergencies caused by lack of a job.

    All items are priced between $0.50–$2.00.

    The Boutique is located in the Alliance Commons at 405 S Linden Ave, Alliance 44601 (enter through door #1).

  • Transitional Housing

    Safe, affordable, single room occupancy with common spaces (lounge, laundry, bathroom, kitchen) at a consistent low-cost for a period of up to 2 years.

    Our transitional housing program assists women in overcoming barriers and in enhancing strengths so that women can garner the resources (financial, emotional, social, physical) necessary to move up the ladder of self-sufficiency and avert future crises.

    Must be employed or looking for employment and living a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle.

    The average stay for women in 2023 was 6-9 months.

  • Transportation Assistance

    Community Development Block Grant Transportation Program – this program is for working women to help provide assistance to maintain employment.

    Qualified women must provide:

    • Current pay stub

    • Photo Identification

    • Current Mileage

    • Proof of Address in the form of a utility bill (water, gas, electric in applicants name)

    Must bring a physical copy of each of these documents.

    CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECIEVE A $50 GAS CARD OR BUS PASS

  • Community Resource Hub

    Offering resources and solutions for those in Eastern Stark and Western Mahoning counties.

    If you are in need of help, please call us at (330) 823-1840. We will offer you any services we can and/or refer you to additional community resources to get the assistance you need.

Meals on Wheels Plus

Goal: To optimize Sebring and Alliance seniors’ health and living standards by addressing a cornerstone of health, nutrition, to support aging-in-place and lessen the need for more intensive and expensive services and pre-mature institutionalization.

  • Home Delivery

    • Meals on Wheels promotes senior nutrition and health by delivering nutritious meals to seniors’ homes up to 7 days per week.

    • This program allows seniors to remain independent, feel connected to their community, and age-in-place through a network of support.

    • The hot, nutritious meals are prepared by Aultman Alliance Community Hospital are delivered by community volunteers.

    • Menu choices are based on dietary guidelines and can accommodate for dietary restrictions and preferences.

    • In order to qualify for this program, must be:

      • Age 60+

      • Unable to drive or safely prepare meals for oneself

      • Residing in Alliance or Sebring

  • Congregate Dining at Alliance Towers & Hart Apartments

    • Senior and/or disabled residents of Alliance Towers & Hart Apartments are invited to receive lunch in their building.

    • Served Monday – Thursday

    • Join other residents in the Tower’s and Hart Community dining room.

    • Enroll for free lunches with Resident Services Coordinator or by calling the YWCA Meals on Wheels Coordinator, Korena Pow, at (330) 823-1840 (ext. 102)

Youth Services↘

Goal: To optimize success for Alliance youth by ensuring that all children and families have access to high-quality programs, activities, and learning opportunities during school and non-school hours. We believe these experiences are essential to the healthy development of youth, who can become capable lifelong learners and contributing members of the Alliance community.

  • Navigators After School

    Navigators After School Program is equipping youth for success. It is a free afterschool program providing academic and enrichment activities for Alliance youth in grades 6-8. Students may enroll in any of the four sessions.

    SYNERGY ALLIANCE

    Synergy Alliance operates the Navigators program. The advisory and supportive collaborative of afterschool providers operate within the city of Alliance.

    We provide a unified and comprehensive approach to youth development by braiding together the efforts, resources, and expertise of each partner. Together we produce stronger outcomes for youth. Partners include Alliance City Schools, Rodman Public Library, University of Mount Union, Alliance YMCA, and the YWCA Alliance.

    HOW DOES IT WORK?

    The Navigators program, located in Alliance Middle School, operates Monday–Thursday during the school year. We offer academic and enrichment activities along with family and off-site community activities. Snacks and transportation are also provided. Most importantly, students drive the program activities. Students suggest and select classes from a wide array of offerings such as unicycling, anime, robotics, cooking, arts and crafts, swimming, gaming, and dance.

    Finally, the Navigators program employs a comprehensive strategic approach to after-school. It eliminates barriers and gaps that prevent students from achieving success.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR AN ENROLLMENT PACKET:

    Please contact our Navigators Site Coordinator at 330-829-1234 ext.1850.

  • Summer Explorers

    Summer Explorers is equipping youth for success. It addresses the loss of skills that occurs during summer vacation. Instead of losing ground, Explorers use their summer vacation to maintain and grow reading, math and leadership skills.

    WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HELP STUDENTS?

    Alliance City School students in grades 2-5 engage in a free, eight-week, data-driven, summer enrichment program. Monday through Thursday children gather on Alliance Middle School’s campus during the afternoon for fun activities.

    Three days a week children rotate through hands-on learning stations. Themed units weave reading, math, and leadership into fun activities. Stations include STEM, the arts, character development, as well as community service. On the fourth day, Explorers journey into the world on a field trip. The trip is tied to the theme and designed to deepen the week’s learning. The district provides free lunch and transportation.

    Students spend their summer having fun and engaged in a variety of experiences such as exploring oil spills, accepting building challenges, playing croquet, and visiting the Great Lakes Science Center. Lastly, the program also encourages continued learning through family engagement. These include family nights, the Family Learning Home Tool Kit, and the distribution of vouchers for family activities.

    TO LEARN MORE OR FOR AN ENROLLMENT PACKET:

    Please contact the Summer Explorers Site Coordinator at 330-829-1234 ext.1850.

    This program is funded by the Greater Alliance Foundation

  • Youth Financial Literacy

    We work directly with the Stark and Mahoning County Ohio State Extension Office and have been trained to facilitate this program by them and through them. Here is a description of the program from the OSU Extension Website:

    What is Real Money. Real World.?

    Real Money. Real World. (RMRW) is a youth-focused financial literacy program from Ohio State University Extension. It can be used with youth ages 12-18, but it is ideally suited for youth ages 13-16. The curriculum is time-tested and has been highly successful because of the creative community efforts of Extension educators, local schoolteachers, and community volunteers.

    Real Money. Real World. is fun and distinctive because it includes an interactive spending simulation that provides the opportunity to make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those made by 27-year-old adults. As a program of Ohio State University Extension, the most preferred and successful RMRW programs are partnerships of the county OSU Extension office, the school, and the business community.