Ywca Missoula

The family housing center (fhc) is a residential and walk-in center for homeless families with dependent children. On-site housing, assessment, referral, and support services are offered free of charge for unsheltered families as they seek stable, permanent housing. Support specialists and trained volunteers work one-on-one with families to address barriers to housing security, connect them to mainstream resources, and assist them in applying for and securing permanent housing. Included in fhc is the rapid re-housing program (rrh). Rrh places a priority on moving homeless families into permanent housing as quickly as possible. The ywca rapid re-housing program offers a variety of assistance, including security deposits, rental assistance for up to one year, advocacy, credit counseling, and resource and referral information that supports access to employment and job training. In fiscal year 2024, fhc and rapid re-housing served in total 819 adults and children. (345 sheltered in fhc, 359 received walk-in services, 101 served through rrh, and 10 served through th).

The planet kid supervised visitation and exchange program offers a peaceful, safe, and welcoming environment to encourage positive interactions between children and the visiting parents through site supervised visits and safe monitored exchanges for families affected by domestic violence. The visitation center has the goals of offering assistance arranging continued contact between non-residential parents and their children and to provide educational opportunities and resources to parents. In fiscal year 2024, planet kids provided services to 82 families that included 119 children.

The youth services program is a leadership and empowerment program that encourages young women ages 9 to 18 to explore their personal values and discover their inner strengths. The program provides a safe and supportive environment for girls to build confidence, explore important issues, develop strong and healthy relationships, and practice their leadership skills while also laughing and playing. The program provides summer outdoor wilderness adventures and after-school groups during the school year. Girls in after-school groups choose service projects that matter to them, and make a difference in the community at large. In fiscal year 2024, the youth services program served 179 children.

The hallmark program aims to dismantle societal systems and norms that are the reasons bipoc are disproportionately affected by issues of poverty, homelessness, underemployment and violence. The initiative includes community education and advocacy, as well as internal anti-racism training.

The clinical program is a ywca team staffed by licensed counselors or social workers, licensure candidates, or masters level students in counseling or social work degree programs. These staff are tasked with providing clinical services to ywca participants. These services include therapy, support groups, and crisis counseling. The clinical program also supports other ywca programs through consultation on working with mental health needs and reducing secondary trauma.

Secret seconds: the organization operates two thrift stores which accepts gently used clothing, accessories, housewares, and furniture to sell to the community at reduced prices.