YWCA Family Resource Center
What We Do
YWCA Family Resource Center has been a bustling hub for collaboration within the Woodlawn community and surrounding area since 2011. FRC provides programming and meets needs through educational support, outreach, case management, career readiness training and life advancing programs for the entire family.
Contact Us
More Information
YWCA Family Resource Center has been a bustling hub for collaboration within the Woodlawn community and surrounding area since 2011. FRC provides programming and meets needs through educational support, outreach, case management, career readiness training and life advancing programs for the entire family.
Areas of focus include GED prep and education, tutoring, multi-generational programs, self-worth affirming efforts, social justice initiatives, parenting support, personalized client services, financial literacy and community outreach.
All programs and services are provided at no cost. Some are ongoing and others are seasonal. Appointments must be scheduled for case management. Registration is required for offered programs. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Family Resource Center is open year-round. Some programs are offered on an on-going basis, some are offered during the school calendar year, and others are seasonal.
Event Calendar Snapshot
Ongoing programs (appointment or registration required):
- A-RESET, TANF/SNAP programs support clients as they pursue educational, workforce development or life skills to advance healthy relationships. They are offered GED, parenting and adult education classes, as well as access to resources for food, travel and stipends.
- GED preparatory classes are offered as a partnership effort of Jefferson State Community College and YWCA Central Alabama’s Family Resource Center. If an individual’s GED test scores are satisfactory, an official High School Equivalency Diploma will be awarded by the state of Alabama. Those age 18 and older are eligible, while 16- and 17-year-olds may take classes if they meet specific requirements set by the state.
Seasonal programs:
- Girls Day Out for Mentoring (May)
- Mother’s Day Client Appreciation (May)
- CREW (June and July) or Creating Responsible Educated Working teens is a virtual/in-person enrichment program primarily serving Woodlawn and area 9th-12th grade students.
- Santa’s Christmas Giveaway (December) offers holiday help for YWCA Community Housing (YWoodlawn) residents and guests of the Interfaith Hospitality House shelter.
- Sincerely ME Self-Love Conference (February) self-love conference for women features such topics as empowerment, entrepreneurship, self-care and excellence shared with a select group of YWCA Community Housing (YWoodlawn) residents and YWCA clients in the Woodlawn neighborhood.
- Back to School Block Party (summer) connects Woodlawn residents and community partners with YWCA for a festive event promoting YWCA programs, providing back to school supplies and motivational speakers in a safe and fun environment.
Programs during school calendar year:
- That’s WyY2K! Gen Z Has the Floor (monthly) roundtable of select student co-hosts who discuss topics such as colorism, generational differences, social media and more from a Generation Z standpoint.
- Well Seasoned Sessions (monthly) are for Woodlawn residents 55 and older with the goal of building community and helping participants stay connected.
- CREW Alumni Network (monthly) meets during school year to develop the next CREW (Creating Responsible Educated Working teens).
- Boys & Girls Mentoring (twice per month) offers in-person mentoring to equip youth with tools needed to create and maintain healthy boundaries, believe in themselves, love and care for themselves and achieve their goals.
Boys’ Sessions: Free for grades 6-12, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2nd Saturday of each month. Register: https://forms.office.com/r/QYWYSfG5QM
Girls’ Sessions: Free for grades 8-12, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 3rd Saturday of each month. Register: https://forms.office.com/r/MT6EVKRMxD
- Adult Education 101 (weekly) prepares adults and non-traditional students to enroll in or return to college. This program covers college resumes, college entrance letters, financial aid, scholarships, the college admissions process and more. Serves adults 18 or older who have a college degree, GED, working toward a GED or are taking a gap year after high school.
- Tutoring (bi-weekly) for grades 2-12 virtually or in-person during the school year. All tutors must complete the YWCA volunteer training.
- Project Life Hack (monthly September-May) workshop for 9th-12th graders offers free, interactive youth development series tackling such topics as education, financial literacy, social media and more.
- Parent Café (monthly September-May) is hosted in partnership with Auburn University’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies and equips parents with effective information related to parenting.
Partner with Us!
We hope you’ll get involved with My Sister‘s Closet. We’ve enjoyed many years of working alongside great community partners, such as:
- Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers
- Auburn University
- BancorpSouth
- Carpenter’s Hand
- Christ Health Center
- Church of the Highlands
- Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)
- Eastlake and Woodlawn libraries
- Goodrich Foundation
- Jefferson State Community College
- Kingston Farm
- Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn
- PNC Bank
- Woodlawn Foundation
- Woodlawn High School
Testimonials
“Since the start of COVID-19, my son has been depressed. He suffers from Anxiety/Depression. Looking at him you would have never known. For the last 4 months he has been secluded at home, not wanting to leave the home or even want his family to leave the home in fear of COVID-19. He has not smiled or laughed in four months. I am so grateful for the CREW program and I wanted to personally thank you from his father and me, because of you and this program, today was the first day since March that I have heard him laugh. So whatever you all are doing in CREW please keep it up! My other son is just as excited. He bothered his dad and I on Sunday worrying about logging into the zoom meeting in order to participate…you all have exceeded our expectations, and for this, we THANK YOU!!!”
— CREW 2020 Parent
“As a mom of 5 children, I know the importance of having a village of supporters. I truly appreciate the YWCA Family Resource Center for inviting me to be a part of their Parent Cafe. We explore a variety of topics and then it’s amazing to hear other parents’ point of views. This group allows me to see that I’m not the only one facing some of these challenges that as a parent especially during this pandemic. Because of our participation, they draw names of a family and blessed them with a token of love. This month they chose my family and we were so elated. I would just like to say to the whole team there, “we love y’all and keep doing a great job for the community.”
— A. Stafford, Parent Café Participant
