YWCA San Francisco & Marin is San Francisco's first organization dedicated to the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women. Since 1878, the YWCA has been working for peace, justice, dignity and equality through service, action, advocacy and leadership development.

Description:
The YWCA of San Francisco & Marin provides culturally sensitive neighborhood-based services for girls and women who suffer from poverty, depression, violence and a lack of resources. YWCA programs offer these women an opportunity to develop confidence, improve self-esteem and learn new skills so that can develop life skills and improve the quality of their lives. This is accomplished through innovative mentorship, educational, vocational and multi-cultural enrichment programs tailored to individual needs.

Programs include:

SAN FRANCISCO

Chinatown Youth Programs offer much needed bi-lingual educational programs and multi-cultural enrichment for new immigrant elementary school students through its Newcomer Elementary Student Tutorial (NEST) after-school and summer programs.

Come Into the Sun provides free services for young women who are "at risk" or formally on probation in the Juvenile Justice System. We offer these young women mentors, tutors, individual and group therapy, family supportive service, girls leadership groups and other workshops and retreats.

YWCA Apartments, Inc. in Chinatown provides HUD-subsidized housing and critically needed language-specific services, including case management and counseling to 120 low-income elderly and disabled individuals.

Computer Learning Center, housed in the YWCA Apartments, provides computer skills to seniors, adults and children. It offers instruction in English, Mandarin Chinese and Russian.

MARIN COUNTY CENTER

Girls Leadership Program offers individual support, leadership groups, paid internships and group workshops and retreats to at risk young women in the Marin area.

FiftyPlus helps low-income seniors overcome age-related barriers to employment. It also provides them with training to stay competitive in today's job market.

History:
The YWCA of San Francisco was founded in 1878 in the midst of a national depression in which banks failed, factories closed and thousands of workers lost their jobs. Within its first year, the organization had provided housing, jobs, educational and recreational activities for hundreds of women who had left their homes to find employment in San Francisco. Today, the YWCA of San Francisco & Marin is the area's oldest and most established organization created by women for women.

Contact person: Hilary Bettinelli-Olpin, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Main office number: (415) 775-6502
Office fax number: 415-775-3925

Address:

271 Austin St San Francisco, CA 94109 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ywcasf-marin.org

Directions:

Austin is an alley between Bush and Pine - Van Ness and Franklin. You must enter the one way alley from Franklin St.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Civic Center,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10-15   Nearest Bus Stop: 47, 49, 2, 4, California Cable Car, 5 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes