YWCA of Greater Charleston Needs Assessment Update September, 2006

1. YWCA of Greater Charleston Needs Assessment UpdateSeptember, 2006

2. Honoring Our Legacy & Creating Our Future • Use Centennial year to conduct a comprehensive community assessment to provide input and guidance for strategic program planning for the “next-generation” YWCA • Use focus groups, surveys, and interviews with key community leaders to garner information about unmet needs • Analyze information and recommend a menu of sustainable programs for the next 5 years for the YWCA • Provide community with unmet needs assessment to support other planning initiatives

3. Community Needs Assessment • Conducted web-based survey in June/July • 25% response rate (n=719/2750) • From a variety of local sources including MUSC, Trident Tech, Roper, College of Charleston, large local corporations, MLK Breakfast List, Social Service Agency list, United Way, others. • 85% of respondents were from initial email list and referrals, other 15% came from website, newspaper, radio stations referrals. • Conducted 6/27 and 7/18 focus groups • invited schools, social service and faith-based organizations, and community orgs to participate • 28 organizations from diverse sectors of the local service area

4. Analysis of Programs: Data Sources • Web-based community assessment survey • Focus groups • Local/regional/state/national statistics, • Community organizations • Other local YWCAs with similar demographics

5. Analysis of Programs: Decision Factors Considered • Is the program able to produce direct outcomes in mission areas of eliminating racism and/or empowering women? • Which programs have the capacity to generate the greatest impact in community • Will this program duplicate other already-existing programs? • Will this program address high-level local unmet needs? • Do we have the capacity to produce significant outcomes through the creation of high quality programs? • Is the community willing to support these programs and services? • Are there funding sources who might support these programs? • Will community participation be easily garnered? • Does community perception indicate full community support?

6. Programs for Girls that Scored Highly Across All Areas • One-to-one mentoring for at-risk high school girls • Leadership development and scholarship programs for high school girls • High quality, culturally competent adolescent reproductive health information and education to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy and HIV/STD transmission • Career exploration for girls of all ages

7. Programs for Women That Scored Highly Across All Areas • Career center and/or skills training for women who are unemployed and living below poverty level • Targeted training programs to get women into specific jobs (e.g. fitness instructor training, day care certification) • Information, advocacy, and support groups for women who are victims of domestic violence (not housing)

8. What Did Not Make The List and Why • Only indirect impact on mission • Child-care, after-school programs and day care • No Clear Unmet Need in the Trident Area/ Service Duplication • Fitness & Wellness programs • Health Outreach and Screening • Financial Literacy Training • Housing for Domestic Violence Victims • Child Care Provider Training/Info & Referral • Becoming a Polling Location

9. What Did Not Make The List and Why • Little or no community support for YW to pursue • PACT & GED prep • Leadership registry for minority and women participants on Boards/Committees • Teen clubs at schools or faith-based orgs • Annual report card on racial justice • Anti-racism programming including youth radio, coalition-building, conferences, newspaper column, Race Against Racism

10. Input on Eliminating Racism • There was limited community support for YWCA programs in this area at this time, with potentially one exception – educating children and youth. • Focus group input and survey both indicated that the best way to approach this issue locally is “softly” rather than “loudly”, we should build programs for girls and women that “walk the talk” and are inclusive, diverse, and integrated. • Clearly, programs in this area are mission-focused, and we believe could have community impact, but not without community support. • We are open to creative ideas for funded programs that reduce the community perception barriers, and creatively engage the community in this critical issue locally.

11. Input on Empowering Women • Focus group input and survey both indicated that our core programs should all be targeted toward women and at-risk teenage girls, with an emphasis on teenage girls. • Concerns about service duplication arose in the area of domestic violence, but survey and focus group participants were very supportive of many more efforts targeted toward prevention of domestic violence as opposed to intervention-based approaches like housing. • High level of support for high quality adolescent health and reproductive health information. Most survey participants and focus group participants made it clear that there is a huge deficit in this area locally.

12. “Cheap-to-Free” Activities • Things we should continue to do or begin doing because they do not drain resources and have a positive ancillary impact on our mission and because we are a membership organization and want to grow and expand our membership base: • Become the gathering place for an early morning downtown walking club for women (dual opportunity to gather women and stay healthy) • Host women’s book clubs and study groups in our reading room (dual opportunity to gather women and increase knowledge) • Foster the artistic spirit of local women (use new retail venue and rest of the building to showcase local artists’ work – opening the doors to new folks and expanding our membership base) • Continue to work with League of Women Voters on issues and forums impacting women and people of color (network with other women’s organizations, be visible on the civic front, stay in touch with local advocacy). • Create fact sheets and referral links to local resources in all of our areas of interest to post on our website and have available in our offices (be perceived as information brokers/resource for women in the community).

13. Appendix Reference Slides/Data

14. Survey Data Results (n=694) Summer, 2006

15. Relationship to the YWCA?(in percentage)

16. Age of Responder?(in percentage)

17. Primary Language?(in actual numbers)

18. Secondary Language?(in actual numbers)

19. Ethnic Background?(in percentage)

20. Familiarity With YW?(in percentage)

21. Priorities For Charleston(Percent who said either extremely important or very important, regardless of who is addressing in Charleston, not necessarily for YW)

22. Racial JusticeImportance of Types of Activities(Percent who said either extremely important or very important)

23. Racial Justice Outreach Activities(percentage said YW should do)

24. Racial Justice Civic Engagement Activities(percentage said YW should do)

25. Racial Justice Public Awareness Activities(percentage said YW should do)

26. Racial Justice Education Activities(percentage said YW should do)

27. Representative Comments About Eliminating Racism • “Racial injustice is most successfully dealt with through indirect techniques. For example, empowering women to be more successful representatives in their work and play will best attack inequality.” • “Racial injustice exists in Charleston. Best way to attack it is to give women the tools to succeed through education.” • “I believe the YWCA needs to provide programs and stay out of the politics issue – examples no radio shows or articles – hands on programs to bring people together and educate.” • “Most of the YWCA groups I have worked with in the past have not had this topic as a focus. It is an important topic, but I’m not sure it is the most important topic for women in this community.” • “Racism is learned, it’s a value. It’s critical to develop programs and opportunities that will be integrated such that they can address the systemic issues of racism. Addressing the issue requires a long-term plan. It’s also important to construct programs and train facilitators so that it’s not a blame game.” • “I think the slogan “eliminating racism” is neither subtle nor sophisticated enough to work in a marketplace where racism, sexism, and other kinds of prejudice are strong.” • “If the YWCA is all about WOMEN, less focus should be centered around racism and more attention given to supporting and educating females.” • “Employ a walk softly, but carry a big stick approach.” • “I’ve about given up on the adults in this community. We need to educate the youth to think for themselves from an early age and avoid their parents’ prejudice. Can it be done????”

28. Women’s Economic Advancement – Focus on Women(percentage said YW should do)

29. Women’s Economic Advancement – Focus on Girls (percentage said YW should do)

30. Women’s Economic Advancement - Advocacy(percentage said YW should do)

31. Representative Comments About Women’s Economic Advancement • “Education is the key. We need to educate and mentor women.” • “I haven’t always lived in Charleston however I have noticed that there is a great need for educating, uplifting, and just plain making women and young girls AWARE! Boost self-esteem, opening their eyes to the realization that they can accomplish anything that they put their mind to!” • “Women need to take control of their lives - give them the tutoring, training and resources for empowerment; then allow them to use their skills to seek out the monies to continue in their chosen endeavors.” • “Education and information are essential elements of survival in today's USA. Given adequate tools - early enough - our young women can be empowered to succeed within the system, and to raise aware and informed children.” • Don't focus on issues of prejudice, but focus on what women can do to improve their self concept, job opportunities, and family life. What kind of friends to choose and which ones to avoid. Education on drugs, how to avoid those on drugs and other additive substances. How addictive personalities pull you in and make you part of the spiral downward. How dysfunctional families function, so women can see the trends and make better choices.

32. Childcare & Early Childhood Education (percentage said YW should do)

33. Representative Comments – Child Care and EC Education • “Linking up with Wings for Kids for after-school program. It focuses on emotional intelligence and is the best in the area for increasing self concept as well as academics.” • “I think these suggestions are good ones but think other agencies offer these services. Work with those agencies to assist where there may be gaps.” • “Most pre-school children and young school age children have daycare and after-school programs available to them, but the age group from 12-17 often are latchkey kids. This is the time of life that young women need structured after-school activities. Most teen pregnancy occurs because young people are home without supervision after school.” • “TUW already does resource and referral, Trident Tech does training. Don’t duplicate.” • “Really provide the kind of early childhood education on the level of Montessori for underprivileged, under-represented children.” • “I think the YWCA should look at what is really needed in the community and not duplicate existing excellent programs. The Y will want to partner with other organizations already working in these areas.” • “Early Education and after-school programs are only valuable if they are of exceptionally high quality. The community cannot afford to have more poor quality programs. So the issue is if the Y could put together the resources necessary to offer excellent services to at-risk populations. If not they should not begin new services in this area.”

34. Domestic Violence (percentage said YW should do)

35. Representative Comments – Domestic Violence • “Anything on preventing it. They need to know what not to do, so that it won't happen again. And if possible teach other woman not to get into that situation. When dealing with child abuse help them get their emotions under control. If you see what your doing you can fix it before you react in a bad way.” • “The crisis programs pretty well cover this. What’s not covered is all of the work with young teens on self-esteem, building healthy relationships, understanding different kinds of abuse, staying safe. Work on prevention, not intervention.” • “Partner with My Sister's House & Crisis Ministries to help them build the capacity of their programs and services. Serve as a location for support groups, information and referral, and more.” • “I don't believe the YWCA needs to duplicate resources that are already adequately offered in this area. I do believe they should have access to the resources available and qualified staff and volunteers so that those in need get the assistance they need. A collaborative effort with other agencies would provide this.” • “Starting to talk with young women early on about warning signs of abuse prior to it happening.”

36. Health & Wellness (percentage said YW should do)

37. Representative Comments – Health & Wellness • “Health & Wellness programs are offered throughout the community by the various hospitals, medical school, as well as nursing schools. In addition, many churches do the same.” • “Rather than add the many health & wellness programs that are needed, the Y could offer space for the existing programs to offer the classes at the Y (again a centrally located facility near the College of Charleston, MUSC and the hospitals in the city).” • “Partnering with other local providers (City of Charleston Recreation has the facilities) by steering women and girls to existing programs and facilities - avoids duplication of services and keeps the program costs down.” • “The sex ed/STD info is not available in public schools so I feel it is essential that other groups like the YWCA help educate young people beyond the abstinent-only curriculum advocated by our current narrow-minded administration. Most of sexually active teens aren't getting good information at home, either, so figuring out a way to reach out to them with correct information is so important. Also, giving teens hope for tomorrow and career skills will help reduce the number of intended pregnancies to young girls who don't see many other options in life. So "sex ed" goes hand in hand with career building and esteem building, in my opinion.” • “The YWCA is located in the middle of the College of Charleston, and the college has its own fitness facility as does MUSC. The current location is not appropriate for a fitness facility. There are a number of for-profit fitness facilities that can better address this need. Also, the medical facilities should be providing the support groups for folks with specific issues, as well as the outreach to the community on specific health issues. The Y should focus on its core mission and not become a downtown fitness club.”

38. Next Steps • Program Committee to take strategic program recommendations and build program menu for 2007. • Board/Staff to use program menu to build full agency strategic plan for rollout in early 2007. • Begin building partnerships/collaborations with key community stakeholders in areas of high program need.

39. THANK YOU! • The YWCA of Greater Charleston is grateful to all of the survey and program participants for your time and support. • We will continue to keep you updated as we build our plans for the future.