In ways profound and subtle, YWCA Quad Cities makes a difference every day in our community, helping local women move from surviving to thriving. Our testimonials are testament to our dedication and impact. Please contact us to learn more.
I am reaching out because I wanted to take the time to fully express how grateful and appreciative I am for the YWCA's assistance.
As a University of Iowa educated person, who is going through some difficult times, receiving the help from the YWCA is pivotally vital to my well-being and the wellbeing of my children. When I had sought my education, I believed I had secured my future. It goes to show you, having an education does not prevent homelessness and one from having difficulties in one's life, but it helps.
My experience of reaching out to the YWCA for assistance, I have received a helping hand up, not a hand out, for I sincerely believe I will have the ability to one day pay it forward.
Thank you for seeing my full potential and believing in me.
With the YWCA's assistance, my quality of life will get better where I can see myself reaching my goal toward self-sufficiency again.
You have been a blessing to me in my life and hearing your story has been inspirational and extremely touching. Thank you again for your time and consideration.
"I'm so grateful for YWCA Quad Cities Iowa Empowerment Center. None of this would have been possible without them. They gave me a chance to learn the skills I need in today's world through the course 2021 Computing Concepts, offered in their YWEB program. Although the class was hard, I found it very educational and satisfying. I enjoyed the class and the instructor. Taking this class and interacting with the other students on the other side of the United States made me feel alive again; I have been so lost for so many years. This class has inspired me to express myself with what I love to do, digital art. With their support, creating my beautiful art pieces and providing to people who just love them, has become so easy. Thank you, YWCA Quad Cities Iowa Empowerment Center."
"I never thought I would need to ask for something, especially after landing a great position at John Deere. Then, the strike happened and I was moving into my new place the same month. A family member recommended I reach out to YWCA Quad Cities' Iowa Empowerment Center; they told me they help people with immediate needs. I am a black male, single father of 3 and because of my usual and typical income, I don't qualify for social services. The IEC helped me keep my place and make it through the strike. Just recently, I received a promotion at John Deere! Thank you, YWCA Quad Cities. You were there when others weren't or couldn't and I will NEVER forget that."
I want to thank the YWCA for helping me with the rest of my rent and helping me get a voucher for stuff for my apartment! They also gave me some food from their food pantry and it was greatly appreciated! TK and Deanna were awesome and kind hearted people and they definitely understand what it means to struggle and need some help. They are lovely people and love to help people with whatever they can and they don't judge you or your background! Thanks to you two ladies for helping me out with everything!
"It's only been a year since I came to the US. I was seeking some web-related training on the internet. When I stumbled across YWCA, I decided to call and have a conversation about the opportunity they were offering. They were extremely encouraging and helpful, which made the decision easy to take part in one of the programs, YWEB, related to the web and computing. It was a great, fun class that allowed me to learn many new things. Besides the program, I also had the chance to interact with lots of new people, who have now become friends. For me, this was an amazing thing. I am very grateful to YWCA Quad Cities for providing me with such a wonderful opportunity. My special thanks goes to Amy for her guidance and help; and thank you to the entire staff for allowing me to be a part of the organization. Thank you from my heart."
“I am a single mom of six kids. Four boys, two girls, one happy family. Mom life is a daily struggle. The screaming, hitting, kicking and biting has me ready to pull my hair out some days. Bt the joy, sincerity, and love just makes me love it! We’ve had our up and downs but we still make it through everything life has to throw at us every single day. People say “Wow! Your hands are full!” But it’s not only my hand that are full, it is my heart, too. Being a single mom of six is definitely challenging and lots of work. They sure do keep me on my toes, but I love them with everything in me and wouldn’t have it any other way. The YWCA has definitely helped me in ways I never could have imagined. They have provided diapers and wipes when my choice was diapers and wipes or rent. The daycare workers are simply fabulous. They help me in and out of my vehicle, getting my children into their car sears, and making sure my kids are safe on the street while we are loading the car. Two hands and six kids doesn’t always work, but the YWCA workers are always there to help. The have even left work to go with me to doctor’s appointments, so they could help with my little ones. They are there for me when I need them most.
Only two of my children are in school, so the four little ones all go to the YWCA. They all love their teachers. The teachers help out every day to make sure my kids are learning, growing, and having fun each day. They even make sure my children have Christmas presents, and that we have a Christmas dinner on the table! They have helped us find agencies that can help us in more ways, like when they connected us with Royal Neighbors to sponsor our Christmas one year. They help me make sure I have groceries to feed the kids, and are always making sure we have what we need. They send home food, clothes and other daily necessities just to make sure my family has enough. They have even been babysitters in emergencies. I’m not sure how I could ever repay them for how much they’ve helped me and my family. We are truly blessed to be a part of the YWCA family.”
“I am a single mom of six kids - two that attend the YWCA’s preschool program, two in the school age program, and two that have aged out of YWCA care. I use two childcare programs for my children at the YWCA and my kids who receive after school care. The YWCA has helped me get all my paperwork done, so that I can receive the funding that I qualify for, and get to work to provide for my family. Without their assistance I would have no where for my kids to go during the day, and no way to keep a steady income.
My two children in the preschool program love it - they love going to school and I love to see how they learn and grow at the YWCA. The teachers provide a fun, educational environment that I am truly thankful for. I know they will be ready for kindergarten when the time comes. They work on writing and school based skills, and as my older children have moved through the program, I can see that it’s preparing them for school. My children in the school age program love coming to the YWCA in the summer and on school breaks. The YWCA always works with my school calendar, not just the Rock-Island Milan calendar.. This has been a true life-saver for me, as I can drop everyone off in the same place in the morning and not have to worry about the quality of care they receive during the day. And my kids love being there! They love to swim, go on field trips, and do all kinds of fun activities.
The YWCA really goes above and beyond for my family. Karena helps me get my paperwork done and helps me get my funding done right. When I had surgery last year, she took my kids to my house at the end of the day because I wasn’t able to pick them up. I have no one else to help with things like that, so it was so nice to have staff that really cared about me and my family, and who were willing to help like that. The YWCA also sends home all kinds of supplies for my family, like shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, and other daily necessities for my family - even for my kids who don’t go to the YWCA. They also help coordinate donations around the holidays, which my kids love.
The teachers and aids are so friendly. They make it a great place for my children to learn and grow. They let me know when there’s a problem, but give me help to fix it. And they really care about my kids. It’s a good feeling to know that when I leave for work, my kids are in a loving, caring environment. I don’t know what I would do without the quality care the YWCA has given my children.”
“As the mom of 3 toddlers life can be pretty overwhelming. Days run together and life moves quickly. It seems like life is a swirl of fruit snacks, sippy cups, and diaper changes. My husband and I really value the people that are in our parenting team because our little crew is a handful!
When we enrolled our children in the YWCA preschool program we were coming from an in-home daycare setting. I was apprehensive about putting our children into a "big pond". I worried they would get lost in the crowd and wouldn't get the extra time and attention they were used to. Man, was I ever wrong! The teachers and support staff at the YWCA have been amazing. We saw an immediate change in our kids. They were happy. They begged to go to school early and stay late to play with their friends. They did better in public and with strangers.
We love that the teachers stay in contact with us and really know our children. They are always talking about how "Miss Laura did my hair" or "Miss Taryn helped me". We are able to stay connected to daily activities via text and the use of the new Brightwheel app.
My kids ask every day if they get to go to school - they call it their home. They love the time the spend at the YWCA.
Raising three small children in today's crazy world isn't easy but the people at the YWCA sure make it easier. Thanks again for all the extra hugs, snuggles, and hair doo's you give our kids. It makes a world of difference to 2 weary, working parents to know that people on the team love our children as much as we do.”
You know sometimes in your life, when you feel like you've done all you can do? That's how I was feeling then I decided to go back to school at 61. I really felt like I would be on the journey alone. Then, I reached out to the Iowa Empowerment Center and it changed my life and my views on my life!
Now, I am excited about my choice to go back to school, and they are 100% behind me! Thank you YWCA Quad Cities Iowa Empowerment Center!
“I am the mother of 6 boys. We have been with the YWCA for 18 years now, starting in the Rock Island High School Teen Parent and Child Education Center, and now at the downtown location. There is a reason I have stuck with the YWCA for this many years. We love the clean, well run classrooms, the outstanding teachers, and the management staff who have helped me keep my job by having consistent child care. I don’t want to go to work unless I know my kids are being taken care of at the YWCA. The teachers provide high quality care for my children so that I know they are safe and learning. I feel as if my children are receiving high quality education, they are smarter than other children their age because of the curriculum used at the YWCA.
The building is safe, with a worker at the front desk to buzz you in. I know my children are in a secure place when I drop them off! When you walk in the door, all the staff members greet you, even if they aren’t your child’s teacher. They make it a welcoming environment that I truly enjoy. The teachers are incredible with the kids - they really seem to care about my children and take such great care of them every day. The management staff goes out of their way if there is a problem, and are always there to fix it or take care of it. I have never had a complaint go unanswered.
I never have to worry when I drop my kids off. They are safe, well taken care of, and in a place where they can learn and grow each day. I love that they learn in so many ways, like when the preschoolers get to swim and all the children get outdoor time when it’s warm. I don’t trust my children anywhere else, and I just love the YWCA. They always take the needs of my family into consideration and make it a great place to come everyday.”
I am writing to thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement in my time of need. Your promptness of financial assistance was a huge blessing in my life at a time when I thought I had no where to turn. I was burring myself deeper and deeper into troubles until I came to YWCA Quad Cities Empowerment Center.
You and the girls at YWCA are truly angels! Words can not express how thankful I am! The work you are doing is remarkable, and the help and support you give the community is unheard of. Keep up the great work and the loving spirits. You all are truly a gift to our community!
“My daughter started at the YWCA at 11 weeks old. I work nearby, so I stop over twice a day to nurse. Giving Faye the benefits of breastmilk is very important to me. The teachers and assistants hold, comfort or entertain my hungry baby when our schedules don't quite align. Their support has been an integral part in hitting the eight month milestone in our nursing relationship! In the room, its all about the babies and its easy to see they are all loved. The staff is nurturing and professional; when its time to leave I know she's in good hands.”
“Our oldest son went to the YWCA many years ago. He had a great preschool experience which helped him prepare for kindergarten. He learned to socialize with others and how to behave in a classroom setting. They also gave him a great broad knowledge base to start his educational journey. We now have two younger sons at the YWCA and we've really seen a change in them both. They are more adaptable and have learned to play with others. They both like going to the Y and look forward to their friends and teachers there. The Y gives us a sense of belonging. We feel comfortable and secure knowing that our children are safe, well taken care of and in a nurturing environment while we are working. The staff is prompt, reliable and personable. We appreciate the activities our kids get to be involved in. They are offered field trips, holiday programs, special activities, interactions with outside groups/organizations around the QC, monthly family activities etc. It is truly incredible what the YWCA has to offer!”
