What is Own It?
   The OWN IT campaign celebrates the YWCA’s 150th anniversary and invites a new     generation of young women to exercise their individual and collective power to make     their communities and our world a better place. Motivated by brave women of the past    who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, OWN IT invites YOU to join our efforts, work     on important policy issues that affect all women—to “own your power.” The important     mission of working for gender and racial equality and justice for all—and shaping this     important mission for the future—cannot be done without the active                involvement of women just like you.

   Click here to view YWCA New Hampshire's Press Release about Own It! and the Junior    Board of Directors.

What does YWCA New Hampshire do in my community?
The YWCA New Hampshire has worked to empower and enrich the lives of women of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds since 1920. Over the years the methodology has changed but the mission has remained strong. The YWCA New Hampshire delivers programs and services to over 4,000 individuals every year.

The YWCA New Hampshire offers the community a wide variety of programs and services. The core programs include Youth Programs, Crisis Services, Supervised Visitation and Exchange Center and the Family Education Collaborative, with numerous services within each section. Girls aged 6-18 are helped to reach their potential; men and women are provided free and confidential information and support for domestic or sexual violence; and families are provided with a safe and neutral environment for children to build and maintain relationships with both parents.

The YWCA New Hampshire is working to help strengthen families in Manchester and New Hampshire by collaborating with the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, UNH Cooperative Extension and Child and Family Services. This collaboration, The Family Education Collaborative, aims to provide quality parent education and support programs to assist parents and caregivers in raising healthy happy children.

What is the YWCA?
Founded in 1858, the YWCA is the nation’s oldest and largest women’s organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Its nearly 300 local associations serve 2.5 million women and their families each year. Throughout its history, the YWCA has been in the forefront of every civil rights and women’s rights movement. From the abolition of slavery to voting rights. From worker safety to reproductive rights. From pay equity to violence prevention. From HIV prevention to global health.

How can you be involved?
YWCA New Hampshire has many opportunities for volunteering and public service, for groups of women and individuals. The best way to connect with YWCA New Hampshire is to contact Katie Schelzel at 625-5785 or ownit@ywcanh.org.

For community service and campus groups, it’s easy to create public service and volunteer projects that benefit the women and children served by our local association.