Phone: 973.674.6800

Fax: 973.674.3800

E-mail: support@ywcaewh.org

our mission

 

The YWCA of essex and west hudson is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

To contact us:

“Her-story” timeline – major benchmarks in our history

Ninety three years ago, the Young Women’s Christian Association of the Oranges was chartered with 1200 original members and a building located at 19 High Street in Orange, New Jersey.  Since 1914, the YWCA of Essex & West Hudson has been at the forefront of innovative programming for women, girls, and their families.   These modest beginnings gave vision and rise to the mission of the YWCA:

 

The Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America is a women’s membership movement nourished by its roots in the Christian faith

and sustained by the richness of many beliefs and values. Strengthened by

diversity, the Association draws together members who strive to create

opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power in order to attain a

common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. 

The Association will thrust its collective power towards the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.

 

This mission which is lived throughout the county has been strengthened in the Orange community through outstanding programs designed to provide economic empowerment of women and girls, speak out and act against racism in all its forms, and support young women and men in learning life skills of independence, confidence and a belief in themselves, their communities, and the diverse cultures they represent.

 

the legacy continues

In 2005, we celebrated 90 years of providing valuable services to women, girls, and their families by expanding our programs in a new building at 397 Park Avenue.  It was the first steps as our YWCA embarks upon its next 90 years.   Within the new building we expanded our current child development center with new state-of-the-art classrooms and will open the Natalie Campbell Computer Learning Center by offering mission-driven programming.  We are certainly proud of our long history and will continue to meet the needs of our community. 

 

The following is a timeline of major events within the YWCA of Essex & West Hudson’s story. . .

The Young Women’s Christian Association of the Oranges was chartered with 1200 members and an office at 19 High St. in Orange.

Strand Theater, a gift from Mr. & Mrs. Richard Colgate located at 391 Main St., was remodeled to become the new YWCA headquarters.  19 High St. became Holly House, a residence for girls.

The YWCA’s Oakwood Branch was established.  A Livingston farmhouse was used as the first camp for girls.

Camp Lenoloc, a permanent residential camp, was opened in Bear Mountain, New York.

The YWCA built its indoor, heated swimming pool at 391 Main St.

The YWCA offered its first day camp

Camp Lenoloc becomes interracial

The World YWCA celebrates its centennial

The YWCA becomes interracial at all levels.  The Oakwood Branch becomes a program center.

Oakwood Center sold to make room for Rt. 280.

Plans are made to rebuild the YWCA at 391 Main St.

1969        The old YWCA building was demolished to make room for the new YWCA building.  The pool was left standing during construction to continue the Association’s extensive swim program.

The YWCA dedicates its new building.

The YWCA changes her name to the YWCA of Essex & West Hudson

The Ridgeview Program Center opens in West Orange to serve preschool children and their families.  The “For Exceptional Mothers” (FEM) program was established as an alternative education program for pregnant and parenting teens.

Ground was broken for an addition of a new gym and multi-purpose rooms

Infant Care Center established for babies 2 ½ months through 2 ½ years, enabling teen mothers to graduate from high school.

Epiphany Child Care Center opens at 105 Main St. Orange to serve Orange area preschoolers and their families.

YWCA opens state-of-the-art fitness center at its 395 Main St. location

YWCA of Essex & West Hudson celebrates its 80^th anniversary.

Camp Lenoloc becomes co-ed after 70 years as a girl’s camp.

At their annual convention, member associations of the YWCA of the USA vote to restructure the governance of the organization to better suit the changing needs of individual communities.  All local associations affiliate now with regional councils; the YWCA of Essex & West Hudson joined the North East Regional Council.

YWCA signs a contract with the Orange Board of Education to provide Abbott funded Early Childhood Education programs.

YWCA hires new Chief Executive Officer

2004        YWCA celebrates its 90^th anniversary

2005        YWCA dedicates its state-of-the-art Family Learning & Technology Center at 397 Park Ave., marking its first expansion of services in over 30 years.

2005        The YWCA pool is damaged, ending the Aquatic program after 81 years.

2006        YWCA Board of Trustees, with approval from the Board of Directors, votes to close all programs at Main Street site ending fitness, infant & toddler center, FEM and senior services.

2006        Technology Center opens with first session of YWCA TechGYRLS Program offering technology enrichment to 15 former camp Lenoloc campers from Newark.

2007        Reorganization of Board of Directors and YWCA appoints a new Executive Director.

2007        Catch Program ends after 40 years due to lack of volunteers and student facilitators.

2007        Camp Lenoloc expands services offering an additional one week session. Day Camp returns with an international theme, karate, academic enrichment, photography, and technology classes

About Us