YWCA Delaware’s Racial & Social Justice program strives to transform communities by changing consciousness, promoting inclusion and solidarity, and cultivating skills in individuals to advocate for justice and inspire a movement.
Local Emergency Action & Response Networks
In an ever polarizing country, with the rise of hateful rhetoric and acts against communities of color, Muslims and Jews, and others who are not in the dominant white culture, YWCA is organizing diverse networks of community members to meet the immediate needs of the local community after incidents of injustice/hate. There are currently LEARNetworks operating in New Castle County, DE, and Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, PA.
MLK Voice 4 Youth
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., YWCA, in partnership with Christ Church, celebrates his legacy by conducting a communication contest for high school students to encourage youth to reflect on his life and mission within the context of their lives and the communities in which they live through the creative use of speech, poetry and rap.
Contest Winners
Dialogue to Action (Feb 24 – April 26 groups)
Dialogue to Action groups are a diverse group of 8-12 people that meet 6 times, along with diverse facilitators, to hold focused discussions where personal experiences and perceptions are openly shared about issues of concern surrounding differing races, religions and cultures. After the 6 week Dialogue to Action groups end we will hold a large Action Forum to implement the change we need.
Signup for Dialogue to Action.
Educational forums and discussions
The Women’s Suffragists Movement: Purple Sashes to Pink Hats 
YWCA partners with community groups and nonprofits to create inclusive spaces where participants can learn about the history and negative impact of racism and oppression on individual attitudes, behaviors, and the very fabric of society. We help people grow their capacity to foster conversations about racism, and to develop action plans for responding to racism and other forms of oppression. If you missed our current session, please watch this space for future discussion groups.
Stand Against Racism
YWCA’s Stand Against Racism is an annual, national campaign coordinated in mid-Spring with YWCAs across the country, to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. Watch this space for dates and times.
Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative
YWCA and 10 local organizations began to work collectively to build awareness and increase understanding of the negative impact of racial bias and institutional racism on the economic and social well-being of communities of color. The DRJC aims to establish itself as a resource center and thought leader for best practice, data, reference materials and facilitator of collective action to drive change in policy and practices that support structural racism.
NarrateHER Traveling Exhibit
YWCA’s NarrateHER traveling exhibit builds awareness about the layered ways social barriers impact the lives of women in Delaware as illustrated through their firsthand stories as advocates, educators and entrepreneurs. If you would like to find out more about hosting YWCA’s traveling exhibit, please contact us.
To get involved in our Racial & Social Justice program, please contact
Rebecca Cotto at rcotto@ywcade.org 302.655.0039 ext. 236.