Who We Are

Joining Hands, Life Skills Training, YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County

The YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County, Inc. is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

The YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1885 as a member of the national YWCA, one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation. Located in Syracuse, New York, the YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

The YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County, Inc. works to create an equitable community while providing a supportive environment for women and children to define their lives and thrive through programs and services dedicated to women's empowerment and youth development.

Nationally, the YWCA advocacy issues include pay equity and hate crime 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.

Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.

YWCA MISSION

Our Values


Courage

Social Justice, Life Skills Training, YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County

We have the collective strength to face the biggest challenges and work toward a more just and equitable society that benefits everyone.


Compassion

Holding Hands, Life Skills Training, YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County

We believe that impacting lives begins with understanding individual needs. We listen, we learn and we respond.


Commitment

Professional Meeting, Life Skills Training, YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County

We are part of the oldest and largest multiracial women’s organization in the world. We have always been — and will always continue to be — leaders for racial justice and women’s empowerment.


Our Team

  • Fanny Villarreal, Executive Director & CEO

    Fanny Villarreal

    Executive Director & CEO

    Provides leadership and direction in collaboration with the Board of Directors.

  • Wenona Timmons, Deputy Executive Director

    Wenona Timmons

    Deputy Executive Director

    Oversees the administrative and organizational work of the YWCA. 

  • Caitlyn Copfer

    Caitlyn Copfer

    Director of Girls Inc./Youth Programs

    Provides managerial leadership, program development and implementation for youth programs.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of women leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for the YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County, Inc.

2023 – 2024 Officers

Lekia Hill, Chair

Adrianna Quiroga, Vice Chair

Rachel Kavney, Treasurer

Precious Gerald, Secretary

Directors

Julie Burgess

Mary Earl

Samantha Harmon

Shantel Henry

Brittney King

Tiffany Latino

Angela Martinez

Ingrid Paredes

Sarah Pelligrini

Nicole Wall

Holly Zahn

Annual Reports

The YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, and we’re committed to accountability and transparency in everything we do. Below you will find resources that illuminate our financial position, outline how we allocate our resources, and showcase the impact of the valuable support from our donors and sponsors. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we welcome your support of our mission!

FAQs

  • No, the YWCA Women’s Residence Program is not a shelter and does not offer immediate assistance. However, we do provide safe, affordable transitional and permanent housing to single women and mothers whose lives have been impacted by domestic abuse.

  • No, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) are completely independent organizations.

  • While the YWCA primarily focuses on women's needs and issues, designs programs around those concerns, and is managed by women, it also values the participation of men in staff positions. This recognition stems from acknowledging the important role men play in both the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women. Furthermore, the YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County, Inc. extends its support to boys and young men through initiatives such as the YWCA Youth Soccer programs, where the majority of participants are male.

  • The YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County, Inc. does not have fitness programs, although we do have YWCA Youth Soccer programs, both non-competitive and competitive, in addition to incorporating physical activities in our Girls Inc. at YWCA curriculum. Each YWCA looks at its own community to determine its particular program needs, in which some local associations do have fitness programs.

  • The first YWCA was established in England in 1855, when two groups met to aid women: one group formed a Prayer Union to pray for women, and the other founded Christian homes for young women. The two groups merged in 1877 and took the name Young Women’s Christian Association. In 1884 the organization adopted a constitution. In the United States 35 women met in New York City and formed the first Ladies’ Christian Association to provide for the “temporal, moral, and religious welfare of young women who are dependent on their own exertions for support.” In 1866 in Boston another group of women met with similar aims, formed an organization, and wrote the constitution for the Young Women’s Christian Association. By 1900 hundreds of YWCAs were in existence in the United States. Our local association was founded in 1892.