History

YWCA Victoria has a rich history of women working for women in their community. For over 128 years, the organisation has drawn on the strength and resources of individuals and groups to facilitate the provision of community services to disadvantaged women in our community.

The YWCA in Melbourne began as a faith driven, grass roots organisation in 1882, working to improve the lives of women ‘spiritually, intellectually and socially’.  The YWCA thus, in the early years, supported women in need and enabled others to extend their role beyond the domestic sphere. Led by an all female Board of Directors, the YWCA began a process of engaging support through membership and fundraising to extend the reach of the programs and services it ran.

Participants and volunteers who engaged with the YWCA were all members of the organisation. A membership fee was a payment which enabled access to the wide variety of sporting clubs, social groups and support programs run by the association. These clubs are a hallmark of YWCA history across Victoria, and were established to provide social connection and opportunities to young women with common interests.  Some of these clubs still exist today, along with our Y Rowing Club located at Albert Park Lake, and our Golf Clubs located at Bentleigh East.

Housing has been a priority of the YWCA since its beginnings.  Through the creation of YWCA Victoria’s subsidiary company Social Housing Victoria in 2008, we are well placed to continue to grow our housing stock as one of the largest medium to long term housing providers for women in Victoria.

Since the 1970s, the funding from our hotel in Elizabeth Street has supported the organisation’s core business and allowed for independence in strategic direction and advocacy priorities.  YWCA Victoria continues to own and operate the Jasper Hotel, a vibrant boutique hotel located in the city’s CBD Market Precinct.  The Jasper Hotel offers contemporary 4 star accommodation, dining, conference and meeting facilities.

YWCA Victoria continues to offer a suite of community programs that meet the changing needs of Victoria women.  Our Asista Mentoring Program has been operating for over 12 years, our Asista mentors reach out to young women in the Child Protection System to offer support, friendship and fun along the young woman’s path to independence.  Other long running YWCA Victoria programs work in the areas of community arts, school-based programs for girls and employment support services.

So as to better meet the needs of Victorian women, YWCA’s from across the state amalgamated in 2001 to form YWCA Victoria.  YWCA Victoria now operates from three sites across Victoria, in Melbourne, Bendigo and Geelong.

The history of the YWCA in Victoria is one which demonstrates innovation, responsiveness and commitment to women’s equality. Through engaging support and resources in many different ways over the history, the Board of Directors of the YWCA have ensured the organisation has remained relevant to women and to the community in which they operate.