Who We Are

Group of smiling women sitting on graffiti-covered staircase, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

The YWCA Great Falls is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

In fiscal year 2025, YWCA Great Falls served 5,936 individuals through its various programs and services, which include emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, and youth support groups. The organization continues to be a vital resource for the community, offering hope and empowerment to those in need.

We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth and to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to empower women and families, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

The YWCA Great Falls is proud to be the oldest and largest women’s movement, providing services for women and their families in our community.

Our local programs and services have furthered the YWCA vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people since 1916. Over the past 109 years, programs have evolved and have included educational and employment classes for women, teen clubs, community dialogue groups to discuss race relations and prevention classes.

In 1977, a group of women founded the Mercy Home Shelter, Montana's first refuge for women experiencing domestic abuse. At that time, there were only 30 such shelters nationwide. In 1990, the YWCA Great Falls Board accepted the request to take over the Mercy Home program, integrating it into their comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

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

YWCA MISSION

Our Philosophy

Illustration of Mahatma Gandhi with a quote about non-violence, showing his face with glasses and a smile, against a gradient background of blue, purple, and orange.

We believe non-violence begins with self.

We believe non-violence encompasses the use of language and behaviors to interrelate, meet goals, and resolve conflicts without overtly or subtly seeking to gain control over others.

Person practicing yoga on the beach at sunset with their silhouette reflecting on wet sand.

We believe the cycle of violence permeates society, is perpetuated by it; and society is responsible for ending it.

We believe each person’s truth is individual.

We believe in the right to make choices and that this right includes accountability for the consequences of all choices made.

Group of six diverse school children sitting on outdoor steps, smiling and holding notebooks and tablet, with backpacks beside them.

We believe children are individuals in their own right and are entitled to the same basic human rights as adults.

We believe respect for each individual is at the core of developing cross-cultural understanding and open communication.

Key Dates in YWCA History

  • People walking past a YWCA sign on a city street at night

    1858

    The YWCA's first US association, the Ladies Christian Association, was founded in 1858 in New York City to provide a safe living space for self-supporting young women.

  • Black and white photo of a classroom with a teacher and students, and a book titled "The Interracial Charter and Related Policy".

    1946

    Interracial Charter adopted, starting the process of desegregation

  • A woman sitting at a desk signing a document while four women stand in line waiting. The scene appears to be in an office or administrative setting.

    1960s

    Membership and leadership positions opened to non-Christians

  • Black and white photos of women and children, likely in a classroom or community setting, with women speaking and children watching or participating.

    1963

    Direct Action Program begun to ensure full desegregation in community YWCAs

  • Black and white photograph of a woman holding a sign that reads 'The Problem is Racism, Support ONE IMPERATIVE,' during a protest or rally, with other women in the background. Accompanying text discusses eliminating racism as a YWCA imperative.

    1970

    The One Imperative (“To thrust our collective power towards the elimination of racism, wherever it exists, by any means necessary.”) adopted

  • Part of a document titled 'YWCA USA Guidelines Association Name Change Guideline' on a teal background.

    2015

    Corporate name changed from “Young Women’s Christian Association of the United States of America, Inc.” to “YWCA USA, Inc.”

Annual Reports

YWCA Great Falls 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!

FY 24-25 (July 2024 - June 2025)

Annual Report FY 2024-2025

FY 22-23 (July 2022 - June 2023)

Annual Report FY 2022-2023

FAQs

  • The YWCA Great Falls office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

    The Mercy Home Emergency Shelter is available 24/7.

    The Y’s Buys Thrift Store is open to the public Monday-Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

  • A Victim Advocate will conduct an eligibility screening to confirm if you are eligible for services. Call 406-453-1018.

  • Yes, in limited amounts. Details here.