Young Womens Christian Association Canton Ohio

ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN, AND PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND DIGNITY FOR ALL.

THE EARLY HEAD START CHILDCARE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 208 STARK COUNTY CHILDREN THROUGH ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH SIX CENTER-BASED AND FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS. THE PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN FROM SIX WEEKS TO THREE YEARS OF AGE. PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO ELIGIBLE CHILDREN WHO ARE DESIGNATED AS LOW-INCOME, HOMELESS, OR CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY OR ARE IN FOSTER CARE. IN 2021, 315 CHILDREN WERE SERVED COUNTY-WIDE.

YWCA CANTON'S RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM CONNECTS ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH PERMANENT HOUSING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE PROGRAM OFFERS SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HELP PARTICIPANTS STABILIZE THEIR HOUSING SITUATIONS. OUR CASE MANAGERS PROVIDE EDUCATION ON LEASE COMPLIANCE AND TENANT RESPONSIBILITIES, ASSIST WITH HOUSEHOLD BUDGETING, AND WORK WITH PARTICIPANTS TO ADDRESS BARRIERS. REGULAR HOME VISITS ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE OUR CLIENTS' SUCCESS. RAPID REHOUSING IS FUNDED BY FEDERAL CONTINUUM OF CARE AND STATE DOLLARS.IN 2021, 492 INDIVIDUALS WERE HOUSED AND SUPPORTED BY OUR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAMS.

YWCA CANTON OPERATES THE LARGEST HOMELESS SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN STARK COUNTY. OUR SHELTER PROGRAM HAS 38 ROOMS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF OUR MAIN BUILDING AND FIVE FAMILY ROOMS AT OUR GATEWAY II HOUSING SITE. OUR CASE MANAGERS ASSIST PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN DEVELOPING A UNIQUE HOUSING PLAN TO HELP THEM EXIT TO PERMANENT HOUSING IN 90 DAYS OR LESS.IN 2021, THE YWCA PROVIDED 13,680 NIGHTS OF SERVICE AND SUPPORT IN OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR 222 INDIVIDUALS 66 OF WHICH WERE CHILDREN! YWCA CANTON'S EMERGENCY SHELTER IS FUNDED THROUGH UNITED WAY OF GREATER STARK COUNTY AND STATE DOLLARS.

THE YWCA'S ONSITE EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER PROVIDES QUALITY CARE AND EDUCATION TO CHILDREN AGED SIX WEEKS TO 11 YEARS. OUR CERTIFIED TEACHERS PROVIDE EVERYTHING CHILDREN NEED TO TRANSITION SUCCESSFULLY TO KINDERGARTEN. WE CONDUCT DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDE HEALTHY MEALS AND A SAFE AND CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT.THE YWCA CANTON HOUSING PROGRAM COMPRISES THREE DEPARTMENTS: EMERGENCY SHELTER, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, AND RAPID REHOUSING. TO BE ASSESSED FOR ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS, INDIVIDUALS MUST FIRST REGISTER WITH THE HOMELESS HOTLINE BY CALLING 330-452-4363.YWCA CANTON PROVIDES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THROUGH OUR THREE HOUSING SITES: NEW BEGINNINGS, GATEWAY I, AND GATEWAY II. PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS AN INTERVENTION OF LOW-BARRIER AFFORDABLE HOUSING DESIGNED FOR DISABLED OR CHRONICALLY HOMELESS PERSONS. IN ADDITION TO SECURE HOUSING, WE OFFER VOLUNTARY SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP PARTICIPANTS LEAD STABLE LIVES. COLLECTIVELY, OUR THREE HOUSING SITES HAVE 106 UNITS. RENT IS BASED ON 30% OF THE HOUSEHOLD INCOME. WE RECEIVE FUNDING FROM A COMBINATION OF SOURCES FOR THESE THREE SITES AND PARTNER WITH STARK METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR HOUSING VOUCHERS AT GATEWAY I AND GATEWAY II.